GPS Location: N45° 03.077' W83° 26.052'
Depth: 11 Feet
Wreck Length: 146 Feet Beam: 30 Feet
Gross Tonnage: 403 Cargo: Lath
Launched: 1875 by Bower and Cash at St. Clair, Michigan
Wrecked: June 24, 1905
Description: The Shamrock was built as the schooner barge John W. Hanaford and reconstructed as a steam lumber carrier in 1904. It was bound from Midland, Ontario to Toledo with a cargo of lath when it encountered a furious gale on the open lake. The ship sprung a leak and became waterlogged, but the lath cargo kept it afloat until it was beached at Black River, Michigan. The abandoned vessel was later towed to Alpena by the steamer City of Holland and left a short distance from the mouth of the Thunder Bay River. The machinery was later removed, but many interesting structural features can still be seen on the wreck. Click here to read more about the Shamrock.
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