GPS Location: N45° 00.919' W83° 18.238'
Depth: 42 Feet
Wreck Length: 309 Feet Beam: 44 Feet
Gross Tonnage: 1544
Launched: 1895 by James Davidson at West Bay City, Michigan
Wrecked: November 8, 1918
Description: Four huge barges were constructed in 1895 for the Lake Michigan Car Ferry Barge Company, to carry rail cars from Peshtigo, Wisconsin to Chicago. They were named simply No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 and No. 4. In 1910, the Barge No. 1 was sold, subsequently operating out of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, carrying pulpwood and bulk freights. It ran onto a reef near Thunder Bay's North Point during a Fall storm, and began breaking up. Crates of live chickens from its cargo reportedly washed ashore on Thunder Bay Island, where they were recovered and subsequently eaten by lighthouse keepers and the U.S. Life Saving Station's crew. Click here to read more about the Barge No. 1.
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Enjoy diving the wrecks of Thunder Bay, but always respect the past. State and federal laws prohibit removing or disturbing artifacts. Future generations are depending on us to leave historic shipwrecks intact. Please take only pictures and leave only bubbles. Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Shipwreck List
The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary maintains seasonal moorings at many shipwreck sites. Available from May to September, the moorings make for safer diving and also protect shipwrecks from anchor damage. Sanctuary regulations require vessels to use moorings when present. Mooring Buoy Interactive Map
Things To Do
Scuba Diving or Snorkeling