Technical Diving in Harbor Beach
Shipwreck: Detroit
(Thumb Area Bottomland Preserve)
For the July 6th and 7th weekend, Cindy and I were fortunate enough to get an invite to enjoy some technical diving on shipwrecks in the Thumb Area Bottomland Preserve in Michigan. We are very fortunate to have some world class shipwrecks in our backyard. We obviously jumped on the idea of spending some bottom time scrubbing bubbles on these magnificent wrecks with some great friends.
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| Michigan's Shipwreck Preserves (www.MichiganPreserves.org) |
Why dive the Great Lakes?
Back in 1980, legislation was passed to create an area where known historic shipwrecks were located to be protected for future generations to see. These preserves now made it a felony for people to deface or take artifacts from the historic shipwrecks sitting on the bottomlands of the Great Lakes surrounding the state of Michigan.
The penalties for removing artifacts are steep. Those caught would be faced with confiscation of boat, car, and equipment involved in the artifact removal. If confivicted, a person could face up to 2 years imprisonment and heavy fines. Because of these strict laws, the shipwrecks found in the preserve contain many historic artifacts and are in excellent condition. Further the cold fresh water protects and preserves the wrecks. Many of the shipwrecks in the preserves are large wooden schooners in amazing shape. If these same shipwrecks were located in salt or warm waters, there would be nothing left due to micro-organisms feasting on the shipwrecks.
However, even with these laws in place, it is still up to each of us as divers to protect and preserve these wrecks. Cindy first dove the Detroit over 12 years ago. At that time, the Detroit had a magnificent ships bell on the wreck. Cindy has vivid memories of diving to the wreck and being able to ring the bell. Even underwater, the bell rung loud and clear. However, in 2006 it was reported that the bell was stolen from this magnificent wreck (see ScubaBoard post regarding the stolen bell). To date, I do not believe that the bell has been recovered. We need to be vigilant as responsible divers to ensure that these historic resources are preserved for future generations of divers to enjoy.
Shipwreck diving in the Great Lakes is truly a hidden gem and every diver should make a point of experiencing it!
However, even with these laws in place, it is still up to each of us as divers to protect and preserve these wrecks. Cindy first dove the Detroit over 12 years ago. At that time, the Detroit had a magnificent ships bell on the wreck. Cindy has vivid memories of diving to the wreck and being able to ring the bell. Even underwater, the bell rung loud and clear. However, in 2006 it was reported that the bell was stolen from this magnificent wreck (see ScubaBoard post regarding the stolen bell). To date, I do not believe that the bell has been recovered. We need to be vigilant as responsible divers to ensure that these historic resources are preserved for future generations of divers to enjoy.
Shipwreck diving in the Great Lakes is truly a hidden gem and every diver should make a point of experiencing it!
Dives to the Detroit!
First a little history on the shipwreck Detroit. Below is an excerpt of the information found on ship-wreck.com
DETROIT
Type at loss : sidewheel steamer, wood
Build info : 1846, Wolverton, Newport, MI*
Specs : 157x23x10, 354 t.
Date of loss : 1854, May 25
Place of loss : about 15 miles off Pte Aux Barques, Saginaw Bay
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : none
Carrying : lumber, coal, hay
Detail : Collided with brig NUCLEUS in a heavy fog and sank, exact location unreported until she was located in 1994. Bound Detroit to Chicago with 2 lumber scows in tow. Most of her cargo was for the Sault Canal Co. Owned by E.B. Ward of Detroit
*Samuel Ward also given as builder
Wreck discovered by Trotter, et. al. in July of 1994, north of Pte Aux Barques in 200' of water.
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| Detroit Shipwreck as she sits on the bottom of Lake Huron in approximately 200 feet of water |
Type at loss : sidewheel steamer, wood
Build info : 1846, Wolverton, Newport, MI*
Specs : 157x23x10, 354 t.
Date of loss : 1854, May 25
Place of loss : about 15 miles off Pte Aux Barques, Saginaw Bay
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : none
Carrying : lumber, coal, hay
Detail : Collided with brig NUCLEUS in a heavy fog and sank, exact location unreported until she was located in 1994. Bound Detroit to Chicago with 2 lumber scows in tow. Most of her cargo was for the Sault Canal Co. Owned by E.B. Ward of Detroit
*Samuel Ward also given as builder
Wreck discovered by Trotter, et. al. in July of 1994, north of Pte Aux Barques in 200' of water.
Our Dive!
The Detroit shipwreck sits in about 200' of water. So this is definitely in the ballpark of technical diving (the scuba recreational depth limit is 130 feet). Diving to the Detroit requires advanced planning for gas consumption. Typically divers today will dive with a pre-determined gas mix consisting primarily of oxygen, helium, and nitrogen. This gas is called Trimix. For this dive since we are diving closed circuit rebreathers (CCR), we utilized an 18/30 dilluent mix (18% oxygen, 30% helium, with the remainder 52% being nitrogen).
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| Picture by Cindy Lesinszki View of the starboard paddle wheel as viewed from on deck of the Detroit |
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| Picture by Cindy Lesinszki View of the bottom of the port side paddle wheel. |
Another amazing feature to see is the large reciprocating engine frame nestled between the two paddle wheels. This is a stunning structure that extends up beyond the shipwreck. The mooring to the shipwreck is attached to the upper frame of the reciprocating beam. It must have been a sight to see this engine in action as the steamer moved across the lakes.
Being on a CCR, the sounds of the wreck become more apparent. Since the CCR does not create any bubble noise, it is possible to hear things that the traditional scuba diver cannot hear.
As mentioned previously, the mooring line is attached to the upper structure of the reciprocating engine. The attachment is a steel chain around the steel structure. With the wave action tugging at the boat moored on the surface, we hear the chain gently "clanging" against the engine frame. The entire dive this reminded me of the Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" and the ghost of Jacob Marley all shackled in chain. This slow methodical clanging created both a reverence as well as a bit of a bone chill for this once magnificent vessel that now lays entombed on the bottom of Lake Huron.
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| Picture by Cindy Lesinszki An eerie view of the bow of the Detroit |
Being on a CCR, the sounds of the wreck become more apparent. Since the CCR does not create any bubble noise, it is possible to hear things that the traditional scuba diver cannot hear.
As mentioned previously, the mooring line is attached to the upper structure of the reciprocating engine. The attachment is a steel chain around the steel structure. With the wave action tugging at the boat moored on the surface, we hear the chain gently "clanging" against the engine frame. The entire dive this reminded me of the Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" and the ghost of Jacob Marley all shackled in chain. This slow methodical clanging created both a reverence as well as a bit of a bone chill for this once magnificent vessel that now lays entombed on the bottom of Lake Huron.
All too quickly we reached our planned maximum bottom time and it was time for Cindy and I to ascend the mooring line. One of the things I enjoy about technical dives in the Great Lakes is the time to reflect on the dive, the memories of a magnificent shipwreck and what the vessel would be been like navigating the Great Lakes. All this as we float suspended in the blue abyss waiting for the dissolved gasses in our tissues to slowly free itself from our bodies and allow us to return to the surface to prepare for our next underwater journey.
- Mike and Cindy
- Mike and Cindy
A Few Articles of the Sinking of the Detroit
Steamer DETROIT, and Bark NUCLEUS collide on Saginaw Bay, in thick fog. Steamer sunk in 30 fathoms. Property loss $25,000
Buffalo Democracy
February 28, 1855 (casualty list)
. . . . .
We learn by telegraph that about half-past eight o'clock Thursday night the steamer DETROIT was run into by the brig NUCLEUS in Saginaw Bay, and sunk. The wheelsman of the DETROIT had his leg broken. She was loaded with supplies for the Sault Canal Company. The ill-fated vessel went down in about half an hour after the collision. This is the eighth heavy marine loss on the lakes this season.
Cleveland Morning Leader
Saturday, May 27, 1854
. . . . .
LOSS OF THE STEAMER DETROIT. -- At nine o'clock A. M., on Thursday morning last, the steamer DETROIT came in collision with the bark NUCLEUS, by which accident the DETROIT was stove in on her side, causing her to leak very fast. Every effort was made to keep the boat above water, but she sank in about an hour and a half after the accident, in thirty fathoms of water and about fifteen miles to the northward of Point aux Barques.
There was a very dense fog at the time of the collision, and neither vessel saw the other until too near to avoid the disaster. The DETROIT was under charter to the Sault Ste. Marie Canal Company, and was partly loaded with hay and lumber for the Sault, and had in tow two large scows also loaded with timber for the Company. She was under the charge of Capt. Hubbell, who is in the employ of the Company. The DETROIT was owned by E.B. Ward. She was worth about $12,000, and is, of course, a total loss. ------- Detroit Tribune
The Democracy, Buffalo
Monday, May 29, 1854
. . . . .
LOSS OF THE STEAMER DETROIT -- FURTHER PARTICULARS. -- The Detroit Democrat learns by a hand who has just come down, that the steamboat DETROIT, which cleared from Detroit on Wednesday for Chicago, and was to take the place of the PACIFIC on the Milwaukee and Chicago Line, the latter being intended to take the place of the GARDEN CITY, came in collision with the barque NUCLEUS at 8 o'clock on Thursday morning, off Point au Barques, and sustained such injury that she sunk in thirty-five fathoms. The cargo and most of the furniture was lost, and it is probable that the boat will be a complete loss. Two of the hands on the DETROIT were severely injured, one of them having had his leg broken.
Capt. Ward, of the RUBY, gives the following further particulars: At 9 o'clock, A. M., on Thursday morning the steamer DETROIT came in collision with the barque NUCLEUS, by which accident the DETROIT was stove in on her side, causing her to leak very fast. Every effort was made to keep the boat above water, but she sunk in about an hour and a half after the accident, in thirty fathoms water, and about fifteen miles to the northward of Point au Barque. There was a very dense fog at the time of the collision, and neither vessel saw the other until too near to avoid the disaster.
The DETROIT was under charter to the Sault Ste. Marie Canal Company, was partly loaded with hay and lumber for the Sault, and had in tow two large scows also laden with hay and lumber for the company, upon which her passengers and crew took refuge, and from which they were taken by the steamer GLOBE, and brought to Detroit. The DETROIT was under the command of Capt. Hubbell, who is in the employ of the company. The collision was so violent that the smoke pipe fell and crushed the wheel house, severely injuring the pilot and one other person. The DETROIT was owned by Capt. E.B. Ward, was valued at $12,000, and, not being insured, is a total loss.
Buffalo Daily Republic
Monday, May 29, 1854
Buffalo Democracy
February 28, 1855 (casualty list)
. . . . .
We learn by telegraph that about half-past eight o'clock Thursday night the steamer DETROIT was run into by the brig NUCLEUS in Saginaw Bay, and sunk. The wheelsman of the DETROIT had his leg broken. She was loaded with supplies for the Sault Canal Company. The ill-fated vessel went down in about half an hour after the collision. This is the eighth heavy marine loss on the lakes this season.
Cleveland Morning Leader
Saturday, May 27, 1854
. . . . .
LOSS OF THE STEAMER DETROIT. -- At nine o'clock A. M., on Thursday morning last, the steamer DETROIT came in collision with the bark NUCLEUS, by which accident the DETROIT was stove in on her side, causing her to leak very fast. Every effort was made to keep the boat above water, but she sank in about an hour and a half after the accident, in thirty fathoms of water and about fifteen miles to the northward of Point aux Barques.
There was a very dense fog at the time of the collision, and neither vessel saw the other until too near to avoid the disaster. The DETROIT was under charter to the Sault Ste. Marie Canal Company, and was partly loaded with hay and lumber for the Sault, and had in tow two large scows also loaded with timber for the Company. She was under the charge of Capt. Hubbell, who is in the employ of the Company. The DETROIT was owned by E.B. Ward. She was worth about $12,000, and is, of course, a total loss. ------- Detroit Tribune
The Democracy, Buffalo
Monday, May 29, 1854
. . . . .
LOSS OF THE STEAMER DETROIT -- FURTHER PARTICULARS. -- The Detroit Democrat learns by a hand who has just come down, that the steamboat DETROIT, which cleared from Detroit on Wednesday for Chicago, and was to take the place of the PACIFIC on the Milwaukee and Chicago Line, the latter being intended to take the place of the GARDEN CITY, came in collision with the barque NUCLEUS at 8 o'clock on Thursday morning, off Point au Barques, and sustained such injury that she sunk in thirty-five fathoms. The cargo and most of the furniture was lost, and it is probable that the boat will be a complete loss. Two of the hands on the DETROIT were severely injured, one of them having had his leg broken.
Capt. Ward, of the RUBY, gives the following further particulars: At 9 o'clock, A. M., on Thursday morning the steamer DETROIT came in collision with the barque NUCLEUS, by which accident the DETROIT was stove in on her side, causing her to leak very fast. Every effort was made to keep the boat above water, but she sunk in about an hour and a half after the accident, in thirty fathoms water, and about fifteen miles to the northward of Point au Barque. There was a very dense fog at the time of the collision, and neither vessel saw the other until too near to avoid the disaster.
The DETROIT was under charter to the Sault Ste. Marie Canal Company, was partly loaded with hay and lumber for the Sault, and had in tow two large scows also laden with hay and lumber for the company, upon which her passengers and crew took refuge, and from which they were taken by the steamer GLOBE, and brought to Detroit. The DETROIT was under the command of Capt. Hubbell, who is in the employ of the company. The collision was so violent that the smoke pipe fell and crushed the wheel house, severely injuring the pilot and one other person. The DETROIT was owned by Capt. E.B. Ward, was valued at $12,000, and, not being insured, is a total loss.
Buffalo Daily Republic
Monday, May 29, 1854
