Lake Superior Shipwreck Search

12/08/2020

07/01/2020

Seen here is the sidescan of the Sailor Boy, just east of Osceola Point. In early May of 1923, this popular excursion steamer went up in smoke while docked in Hancock. The remains drifted 100ft east, and 30ft from shore to sink. The unknown source of the fire left the hull completely intact after consuming the upper works.

Divers should be sure to use a dive flag in the canal due to the high traffic volume in the area. Visibility is better in fall or spring. Remember to leave any artifacts for other divers to see.

07/01/2020

This is a wreck that is unknown to me, recently scanned near Princess Point. Perhaps one of you may know this wreck.

07/01/2020

This is the Uarda, found in the Portage canal in Hancock, MI. In its prime, the vessel was used to tour passengers through the Keweenaw Waterway, and was left to sink once it had outlived its usefulness. The image was captured using a Garmin EchoMAP 74SV, which is an inexpensive recreational chart plotter sonar.

To read about the Uarda visit: https://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/media/478398

05/02/2020

Mystery KAP! Okay this one is a real mystery. A month ago when I was capturing the temporary pontoon bridge test along the Portage Waterway, I spotted something else: a possible shipwreck! None of the nautical charts I found showed any wrecks here. The water was cloudy from the action going on nearby, and I haven't had a chance to return for better shots. Anybody have an idea of what lies below the water? Whatever it is, it's located at 47.122841, -88.560989 in case anybody with dive gear wants to go look around.

Kite Aerial Photography with Nathan Invincible

04/29/2020

After leaving Duluth with a cargo of grain in September 1901, the freighter Hudson ran into a Lake Superior gale and sank with all hands. It became the subject of ghost stories for decades. But the wreck’s exact whereabouts remained a mystery — until this summer.

04/28/2020

Underwater robots, side-scan sonar and crowdfunding are being deployed to find two of Lake Superior's most elusive historical shipwrecks.

04/27/2020

Last week Craig Kurtz mentioned a wreck he knows about on the north shore of the Keweenaw Waterway across from his house. It is just west of the old UPPCO coal dock roughly between the two newer houses there. He said the bow is almost on shore with the stern down in deeper water. And he said there is a pretty large boiler visible. I was not aware of the wreck but perhaps others are. If anyone knows anything more about this vessel please post. I intend to check it out this summer. Most of the vessels on the bottom of the Keweenaw Waterway are not the result of shipwrecks but are abandoned as a result of having outlived their usefulness. Thanks Craig