Mackinac Straits 2 Tank Diving

Cedarville/
Depth: 40′ to 110′
Dimensions: 604′ x 60′ x 32′
Cargo: Open-hearth limestone
Cause of Sinking: Collision (in fog) with M.V. Topdalsfjord
Built: 1927, River Rouge MI by Great Lakes Engineering
Date Lost: May 7, 1965
Construction: Steel
Propulsion: Triple-expansion steam engine, 2200 hp
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Location:
Bow: N45° 47.235′ W084° 40.248′
Crack: N45° 47.280′ W084° 40.290′
Stern: N45° 47.322′ W084° 40.324′
History
The Cedarville was launched in 1927 at River Rouge MI. On
May 7, 1965, the Cedarville departed Port Calcite headed to Gary, IN with 14,411 tons of limestone with a crew of 35. As they neared the Straits of Mackinac, the fog thickened. Due to a lack of communication, the Norwegian vessel Topdalsfjord collided with the Cedarville on her port side cutting a deep gash in her side between the seventh and eight hatch.
After briefly dropping anchor to consider the situation, the Cedarville’s Captain attempted to beach the vessel near Mackinaw City. While still several miles offshore, at 10:25 am the Cedarville suddenly rolled over to starboard and sank in 105 feet of water about 3.5 Miles SE of the Mackinac Bridge south tower. Twenty-five crewmen were recovered alive from the cold lake, along with two others that succumbed due to exposure, and eight others went down with the ship.
Present Condition
She is intact and lies on her starboard side, about 45 degrees from being upside down.

Eber Ward
Depth: 110′ to 140′
Dimensions: 213′ x 37′ x 12′
Cargo: Corn, 55,000 bushels
Cause of Sinking: Hull damage while transiting an ice field
Built: 1888, F.W. Wheeler & Co., Bay City Michigan
Date Lost: April 20, 1909
Construction: Wooden bulk & package freighter
Propulsion: Steam propeller, fore & aft compound engine
Skill Level: Advanced
Location:
Bow: N45° 48.728′ W084° 49.133′
Stern: N45° 48.763′ W084° 49.133′
History
The Eber Ward was named for the owner’s father, who had once served as keeper of Bois Blanc Island lighthouse, and was built for the Detroit and Lake Superior Line.

The Eber Ward left Chicago and picked up a cargo of corn in Milwaukee, bound for Port Huron. There was still ice in the Straits, and on April 20, 1909, the Captain faced a field of slush and windrow ice. The Ward’s bow was torn open by the ice and she sank within ten minutes, taking one lifeboat and five crewmen to their death.

Present Condition
The wreck sits upright with cabins missing but hull intact, headed due south, about 5 miles West of the Mackinac Bridge in 145′ of water. Due to the depths, this is an advanced dive and careful dive planning is warranted. Equipment is distributed around the deck, and several anchors decorate the bow, including a rare mushroom anchor just above the ice damaged timbers. The engine room and cargo holds are accessible to trained divers. The smoke stack and damaged life boat are off the starboard side.

Maitland
Depth: 70′ to 85′
Dimensions: 133′ x 25′ x 13′
Cargo: 18,000 bushels corn loaded in Chicago for Buffalo
Cause of Sinking: Collision w/ schooners Golden Harvest and Mears
Built: 1861, Goderich Ontario by Henry Marlton
Date Lost: June 11, 1871
Construction: wood schooner, 1 deck, square stern
Propulsion: Sail, 3-masts, rigged as a bark
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Location:
Hull: N45° 48.249′ W084° 52.555′
Mooring: N45° 48.244′ W084° 52.579′
History
On the evening of June 11, 1871 the Maitland was loaded with corn from Chicago, bound for Buffalo. In the darkness, the oncoming Golden Harvest was seen too close ahead to avoid a grazing blow and rigging was lost on both vessels, but this was not the Maitland’s fatal blow. Behind the Golden Harvest was another schooner, the Mears, that slammed into the Maitland’s starboard side, taking her to the bottom in minutes. The Maitland crew escaped in their yawl boat and no lives were lost.
Present Condition
The Maitland lies upright and intact in 85′ depth. Her deck sports a large windlass, and the hatch openings lead to a heavily silted interior. The anchors are missing but the chains still dangle from the hawse-pipes. The deck-house roof lies upside down off her starboard side. The rudder remains hard to port, and the collision damage area is now falling inwards.
This helix mooring is located just off the port bow of the wreck, and a small line leads to the rail for when visibility is reduced.

William H. Barnum
Depth: 50′ to 75′
Dimensions: 219′ x 35′ x 21′
Cargo: Corn, from Chicago for Port Huron
Cause of Sinking: Ice damage
Built: 1873, Detroit Michigan by J.M. Jones
Date Lost: April 3, 1894
Construction: Wood
Propulsion: Steam, single cylinder, 2 boilers
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Location:
Shipwreck: N45° 44.708′ W084° 37.866′
Bow Mooring: N45° 44.707′ W084° 37.840′
Stern Mooring: N45° 44.697′ W084° 37.899′
History
Built in 1873 in Detroit MI, the wood steamer William H. Barnum, plied the Great Lakes for more than 20 years before reaching her demise. She was under the command of the 29 year old Capt. William Smith, on his first voyage as master of the Barnum when she sank. The Barnum left Chicago in 1894 loaded with corn for Port Huron. The Barnum left Chicago harbor along with 18 others ships, including the steamer Minneapolis, which sank the day before the Barnum. The heavy weather and grinding ice in the Straits proved to be to much for the Barnum and she started taking on water. The tug Crusader came to her rescue and took the crew of the Barnum. She vanished beneath the ice and waves on April 3, 1894.
Present Condition
The William Barnum now lies upright and with a mostly intact hull in 74′ of water, facing due east, 5.5 miles southeast of the bridge in Lake Huron. The decks have fallen except for the bow area, where there are still penetration opportunities. The boilers and engine are also available for inspection.

Minneapolis
Depth: 90′ to 124′
Dimensions: 226′ x 34′ x 11′
Cargo: 48,577 bushels wheat, loaded at Chicago
Cause of Sinking: Cut by ice
Built: 1873, Morley & Hill, Marine City, Michigan
Date Lost: April 4th, 1894
Construction: Wooden bulk freighter
Propulsion: Steam propeller
Skill Level: Advanced
Location: N45° 48.511′ W084° 43.904′
History
The Minneapolis was a wood steamer built in Marine City MI in 1873, originally as a passenger ship but later converted to carry bulk cargo. She left Chicago harbor in April 1894.

Loaded with wheat and towing two schooner-barges, the Minneapolis was headed to Buffalo. On early morning April 4th, a strong gale was blowing ice flows through the Straits. The mate on duty noticed the Minneapolis’ steering was slow to respond and investigated. He then notice the she was rapidly taking on water, which eventually put her boilers out, crippling the bilge pumps and the Minneapolis. The crew were able to board one of the schooner-barges that she was towing, before she slipped beneath the waves. No lives were lost.

Present Condition
The Minneapolis is located just 500 feet southwest of the main south tower of the bridge. She sits upright facing southwest and mostly intact in 125′. The engine, boilers and forward decks are in place. The bow is open, and the stern rail is intact. The rudder lies on the bottom alongside the prop.

There is frequently a strong, and sometimes confusing current. This site is for advanced divers.

Northwest
Depth: 75′
Dimensions: 223′ x 38′ x 15′
Cargo: Corn, from Chicago for Buffalo
Cause of Sinking: Ice damage
Built: 1873, Bangor (West Bay City), Michigan by T. Boston
Date Lost: April 6th, 1898
Construction: Wood, built as 3-mast schooner. 4th mast added 1875
Propulsion: Sail, schooner rig, later converted to tow-barge
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Location:
Bow: N45° 47.437 W084° 51.465′
Stern: N45° 47.457′ W084° 51.488′
Donkey Boiler: N45° 47.450’ W084° 51.488’
Mooring: N45° 47.452′ W084° 51.506′
History
The Northwest is a 223′ schooner built in 1873 in Bangor MI as the Alexander Moore. She was under tow by the propeller Aurora in April 1898 when she impacted submerged ice and began to take on water. The Aurora attempted to tow her to shallow water but was blocked by ice and the Northwest slipped beneath the surface. The Aurora rescued the crew of the Northwest, and no lives were lost.

The Northwest now lies in 73′ of water, six miles west of the bridge in Lake Michigan. She is upright and mostly broken up. There is a very interesting donkey steam engine amidships.

Present Condition
Upright, but collapsed to one side and somewhat broken up with lots to see. A donkey steam engine, bilge pumps, and windlass are still present, and her rudder lies next to her transom, detached from the stern. Schools of fish frequent this wreck. The depth and size of this wreck makes it a fun, interesting and easy dive.

St. Andrew
Depth: 52′ to 60′
Dimensions: 135′ x 31′ x 13′ (Some sources say 143′ length)
Cargo: Corn, from Chicago for Buffalo
Cause of Sinking: Collision with schooner Peshtigo
Built: 1857, Milan Ohio by Merry & Gay
Date Lost: June 26, 1878
Construction: Wood, 3 mast schooner
Propulsion: Wind
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Location:
Shipwreck: N45° 42.051′ W084° 31.795′
Mooring: N45° 42.044′ W084° 31.809′
History
The St. Andrew was a 135′ schooner built in Milan OH in 1857. She was carrying corn from Chicago to Buffalo on her fateful voyage in 1878. The St. Andrew sank at night, June 26, after colliding the the schooner Peshtigo. Both were said to have sank together, side by side, but the Peshtigo has never been located or identified.

Present Condition
The “St. Andrew” lies in 65 feet of water 11 miles southeast of the bridge, in Lake Huron. She is moored on her bow. She is upright and fairly broken up. She is a great dive for beginning divers or when the west winds make access to other dive sites difficult. The centerboard, windlass, and major sections of the hull are here, but the deck has fallen to the side, and the hull sides are falling over.

Sandusky
Depth: 70′ to 84′
Dimensions: 110′ x 26′ x 9′
Cargo: Grain, from Chicago for Buffalo
Cause of Sinking: (gale winds)
Built: 1848, Sandusky, Ohio
Date Lost: September 20th, 1856 (some reports say Sept. 18)
Construction: Wood, Two-Masted Brig
Propulsion: Wind
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Location:
Shipwreck: N45° 47.959′ W084° 50.249′
Mooring: N45° 47.978′ W084° 50.248′
History
Built in 1848 in Sandusky OH, the brig Sandusky is the oldest know shipwreck in the Preserve frequented by divers. She sank in September 1856. The side-wheeler Queen City attempted to rescue three of the crew that clung to her masts that extended above the waves. The Queen City was unsuccessful, and these men were lost with the rest of the crew.
Present Condition
The Sandusky’s hull sits intact in 85′ of water, tipped slightly to port, five miles west of the bridge. There are a number of interesting artifacts on and around the wreck. A topmast reaches from the port rail to the bottom, the centerboard winch, bilge pumps, and windlass all remain, and a scroll figurehead adorns her bow below the intact jib-boom. This figurehead is a replica of the original, which was found mostly removed and was later recovered with State permission. The original figurehead can be viewed in the Straits Shipwreck Museum at Old Mackinac Point Light, Mackinaw City. We ask that divers not touch or disrupt any of the artifacts, as the Sandusky is showing signs of severe wear and damage.

M. Stalker
Depth: 85′ to 100′
Dimensions: 135′ x 25′ x 11′
Cargo: Iron ore from Escanaba, for Cleveland
Cause of Sinking: Collision while at anchor for weather
Built: 1863, Milan, Ohio by Henry Kelley
Date Lost: November 5, 1886
Construction: Wood, 1 deck, square stern, plain stem
Propulsion: Sail, 2 masts, schooner rig
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Location: N45° 47.620′ W084° 41.062′
History
The M. Stalker was a 135′ schooner built in 1863 in Milan OH and was named for her first captain, Malcolm (not Martin) Stalker. She sailed the Great Lakes for more than 20 years before succumbing to collision November 5, 1886, and sinking with her load of iron ore.

During a severe November gale in 1886, the M. Stalker anchored off Mackinaw City to ride out the weather. About 2 A.M. she was struck in the bow by the barge Muskoka, which was being towed by the propeller Isaac May. The crew of the M. Stalker pulled anchor and tried to run to shore. They took to their yawl boat and made for Mackinaw City. No lives were lost.
The Stalker was rediscovered in 1967, and her name-board was recovered at that time, confirming her identity.
Present Condition
The Stalker is sitting upright and mostly intact forward, but the transom and stern cabin are missing. The forward decking is largely intact, the windlass is in place, and there are penetration opportunities. There is some rigging off her starboard side, and a lot of equipment on deck. This site is subject to strong currents.

William Young
Depth: 105′ to 125′
Dimensions: 139′ x 26′ x 12′
Cargo: Coal, from Buffalo for Racine WI
Cause of Sinking: Stress of weather (slow flooding via leaky seams)
Built: 1863, Madison Dock, Ohio by Bailey Shipbuilding
Date Lost: October 5, 1891
Construction: Wooden schooner, built as 2-mast, 3-mast in 1889
Propulsion: Wind, later cut down to tow barge
Skill Level: Advanced
Location: N45° 48.777′ W084° 41.923′
History
The Young was built as a schooner and was later cut down to a schooner barge. She was one of 3 tow-barges behind the steamer Nashua, all carrying coal. One barge was lost in Lake Erie, and the Young was noticed to be settling deep into the water when the others reached the Straits of Mackinac. The crews worked to salvage the sails and rigging before the Young slipped out of sight. The crew was rescued, but the 3rd barge was reported as lost in lower Lake Michigan before the Nashua reached Racine.

Present Condition
The Young sank slowly and settled upright and remains largely intact. The starboard bow is broken open, but the decks are intact. The cabin is missing. The holds are still full of coal. There are many artifacts and rigging still on-board for divers' inspection. A portion of wooden wreckage lies off the stern and can be found by following a light line. One mast lies along the starboard side, another is in deep water off the bow. Please DO NOT take artifacts from this wreck – and this includes coal from the cargo!

Dolphin
Depth: 110′
Dimensions: 119.7′ x 26.6′ x 11.1′
Cargo: Coal
Cause of Sinking: Collision with bark Badger State
Built: 1862, Allen, McLelland & Co., Milwaukee WI
Date Lost: July 6, 1869
Construction: Wooden schooner: 1 deck, 2 masts, square stern, scorpion head
Propulsion: Sail
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Location:
N45 49.132 W84 59.748
History
The Dolphin was one of a number of vessels with that name sailing during this era, leading to great confusion over which vessel was being referenced. The Dolphin was lost in a collision with the bark Badger State northeast of Waugoshance Light and went down in about 20 minutes. The crew was rescued and dropped off at Mackinaw, where they later caught a ride back to Milwaukee.
Present Condition
The wreck is sitting upright on the bottom, with the cabin and wheel intact, and masts and crosstrees laying across the decks and over the side and bow. The starboard anchor is still in place, the jibboom is broken off, likely in the collision or when she struck bottom. The hatch covers are in place but are deteriorated enough to allow you to peek through, and the yawl-boat is on the bottom off the stern.

Fred McBrier
Depth: 84′ to 100′
Dimensions: 161′ x 31′ x 12′
Cargo: Iron ore
Cause of Sinking: Collision with propeller Progress
Built: 1881, F.W. Wheeler, West Bay City, Michigan
Date Lost: October 3, 1890
Construction: Wooden bulk cargo carrier
Propulsion: Steam propeller
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Location: N45° 48.342′ W084° 55.301′
History
This small steamer was built in West Bay City, MI in 1881, and spent her career towing schooner-barges as a means of increasing her per-trip capacity. On her final trip she was westbound in the Straits with a load of iron ore, towing the schooner-barges J.B. Lozen and A. Stewart. In the darkness, there was confusion over passing signals with the oncoming propeller Progress, and the resulting collision sent the McBrier to the bottom quickly, but without loss of life.

St. Ignace diver Jim Ryerse led the group that located the McBrier in 1967 about 9 miles west of the Mackinac Bridge.

Present Condition
The McBrier sits upright, her stern is intact with engine and boiler in place, but the decks have shifted to port towards the bow. Mast sections lay alongside, and many small artifacts are scattered about.

Colonel Ellsworth
Depth: 70′ to 85′
Dimensions: 137′ x 26′ x12′
Cargo: None
Cause of Sinking: Collision w/ schooner Emily B. Maxwell
Built: 1861, Euclid, Ohio
Date Lost: September 2nd, 1896
Construction: Wooden Schooner
Propulsion: Sail, 3 masts, bark rigged
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Location: N45° 48.743′ W085° 01.056′
History
The Ellsworth was caught in a southwest gale and overnight rainstorm resulting in a 4 AM collision with the Emily B. Maxwell. The Ellsworth then sank bow first. The crew escaped in the yawl to the Maxwell, which delivered them to Mackinaw City. The Ellsworth had only recently returned to service after spending the previous winter ashore near Whitefish Point on Lake Superior. Much of her equipment was salvaged, including her anchors and rigging.

Present Condition
Upright, port-side rail broken off and laying on the bottom, but large hatch openings and clear hold allow for a lengthy swim-through. The bow is bent upwards, tipping the windlass (mooring point) slightly. The wreck sits on a mast, sticking out to the starboard bow, not unlike the Minneapolis. This location is often frequented by schools of whitefish and perch.

Cayuga
Depth: 67′ to 102′
Dimensions: 290′ x 41′ x 13.5′
Cargo: Flour and grain
Cause of Sinking: Collision with lumber hooker Joseph L. Hurd
Built: 1889, Globe Iron Works, Cleveland, Ohio
Date Lost: May 10, 1895
Construction: Steel bulk freighter
Propulsion: Steam
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Location: N45° 43.239′ W085° 11.401′
History
The Cayuga was one of five early steel sister ships. She was carrying grain and general merchandise when she encountered dense fog. The small wooden-hulled Joseph L. Hurd struck her on her starboard side and she sank in 25 minutes.
Extensive efforts were made to raise her from 1895-1900. A flat barge, lost in the salvage effort, sits off her port side amidships.
Present Condition
The wreck is listing slightly to port and is gradually collapsing forward of the engine room. The bow is broken off and rotated to the side. The stern is relatively intact and allows some penetration. Large logs, used to distribute the strain from the lifting chains, are visible inside the stern area. The sunken pontoons line the sides of the hull. The propeller and rudder are in place, and a spare propeller blade can be found inside the hull. Many artifacts can be viewed on and near the wreck. The sunken salvage barge is intact, one corner nearly abuts the hull. The visibility is quite limited in late summer as the water warms up, so be sure you know the layout of the wreck and can find your way back to the mooring line.