Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

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44°45'N 82°45'W 82°45'W

National Marine Sanctuaries National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

Explore the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Paddle & Snorkel Guide The Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center is a great place to begin your paddle or snorkel expedition. The Center features immersive maritime heritage exhibits, an HD theater, a wooden boatbuilding workshop, a gift shop and exciting programs and events throughout the year. Bring your friends and family and dive into our Great Lakes past!

Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center CANADA THUNDER BAY Map Key M THUNDER BAY 500 West Fletcher Street I C L H . Topography & Bathymetry National Marine Alpena, MichiganMarine 49707 Sanctuary NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY I H NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY WI N G U Sanctuary 989.356.8805Office A 220 0 180 A R G www.thunderbay.noaa.gov I N O Contact Information Types of Vessels Lost at Thunder Bay Cargoes Lost at Thunder Bay Other Park Other Park H N C Protected Area I Location

Great Lakes Maritime (by quantity of loss for all wrecks) M •Sail Powered •Steam Powered •Other Steam Powered Shipwreck Contours in meters . Northwest Lake Huron, off the northeast coast of 448-square miles Heritage Center L •Schooners •Propellers •Combustion •Lumber products •Stone •Steel Sail Powered Shipwreck Lansing Michigan's lower peninsula Designation 500 West Fletcher Street •Ships, Brigs, •Sidewheelers Motor Powered •Coal •Package freight •Passengers Historic Lighthouse October 2000 Alpena, MI 49707 Barks •Unpowered •Grain •Salt •Copper ore U N I T E D S T A T E S IL (989) 356-8805 •Scows •Iron ore •Fish

www.thunderbay.noaa.gov 45°15'N 45°00'N

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120 Located in northwestern Lake Huron, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary protects one 120

Haltinerʼs Barge North Point of America’s best-preserved and nationally significant collections of shipwrecks. To date, LAKE Isaac M. Scott Viator more than 50 shipwrecks have been discovered within the sanctuary and an additional 2.5

HURON 130 130 30 wrecks have been located immediately outside of the sanctuary boundaries. Through research, education and resource protection, the sanctuary works to ensure that these

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120 100 underwater treasures are preserved for future generations. 140 Corsican 2.5

Readily accessibleScale at 45° North is 1:131,000 by paddlers, snorkelers, and divers of all abilities, many shipwrecks in 110 130 130 the sanctuary are marked with seasonal mooring buoys anchored to the lake bottom. Buoys

130 make the sites easier to locate, improve safety, and protect shipwrecks. Buoys feature 140 120 attachment lines that are available on a first come, first serve basis. Bulk Freighter Joseph S. Fay Shipwreck sites are located at a wide range of depths, from just a few inches to more than

90 Hanna D.R. 200 feet beneath the surface of Lake Huron. Whether by paddling, snorkeling, or swimming,

Barge #83 any sanctuary visitor can dive into Thunder Bay’s rich maritime heritage. 0 0 120

Paddle into60 Maritime Heritage

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110 A number of convenient access points along the shores of Lake Huron make Thunder Bay 120 shipwreck paddling fun and feasible recreation. Excursions can vary from a one-hour paddle to multi-day trips along the coast.

100 110 Although the sheer number of shipwrecks in the sanctuary is impressive, it is the range 130 of vessel types that makes the collection nationally significant. From an 1844 sidewheel

RED = Current Moorings 120 110 steamer to a modern 500-foot-long German freighter, the shipwrecks of Thunder Bay Vienna represent a microcosm of maritime commerce and travel on the Great Lakes. With lighthouses and lifesaving stations, commercial fishing camps and working ports,

Loretta northeastern Michigan enjoys a rich maritime landscape that truly makes paddling Thunder

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Ishpeming 30 Bay a complete experience.

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45°15'N 45°00'N 44°45'N Schooner Portland Steamer Joseph S. Fay (1871 - 1905) GPS Coordinates: N45°29.317’ W83° 54.600’ Inland Paddling Near Depth: 18 feet Paddling Distance From Shore: ½ mile Thunder Bay National Distance from Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center: 45 miles Description: The shipwreck of the Joseph S. Fay is located at 40-Mile Point Lighthouse Marine Sanctuary just off US 23 north of Rogers City. Parking is available at the lighthouse and you can launch your kayak at the beach and paddle out to the submerged portion of the wreck Fletcher Pond located approximately 300 yards offshore. One of the sides of the Fay’s hull is located Just 27 miles from the Sanctuary’s Great Lakes on the beach just west of the lighthouse. Maritime Heritage Center is one of Michigan’s The Joseph S. Fay was a 216-foot bulk freighter built in Cleveland, Ohio for the Bradley largest inland lakes. The pond, famous for excellent Transportation Co. The vessel wrecked just in front of the 40-Mile Point Lighthouse in fishing, is home to northern pike, large mouth bass, October 1905 in a fierce storm that claimed a dozen ships in the area and smashed and pan fish. Wildlife viewing is also a favorite the aging ship to pieces after running it aground. Visitors to the site can see parts of activity at Fletcher pond, and you may see loons, the engine, the propeller shaft and some of the boat’s final cargo of iron ore. Visibility is osprey, herons, eagles, deer, and more. There are usually excellent at this site. an array of lodging, camping, and services in the Schooner John F. Warner area, as well as a public boat access. Schooner John F. Warner (1855 - 1890) Schooner American Union (1862 - 1894) GPS Coordinates: N45° 03.050’ W83° 26.128’ GPS Coordinates: N45°21.411’ W83°35.368’ Thunder Bay River Depth: 9 feet Depth: 4-10 feet Paddle over 80 miles of beautiful, scenic canoe Paddling Distance: About 2 miles Distance from the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center: 1 mile water along the Thunder Bay River winding between Description: Head to Alpena’s Starlight Beach to explore some of the shallow Distance from Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center: 26.5 miles shipwrecks just outside Alpena’s Small Boat Harbor. The Warner and the Description: The American Union lies in the bay at Thompson’s Harbor State Park. Alpena and Atlanta. The river offers a variety of Shamrock are two of five shipwrecks in the area that are buoyed, making Travel north from Alpena on US 23 to reach the park entrance and follow to the boat depths and is bounded by a series of dams. There them easy to locate. Nearshore shifting sands and murky water may make launch. To reach the wreck, paddle west from the boat launch until you reach the end of are a variety of public access areas or hire a local these wrecks difficult to see at certain times of the year, but a paddle along the the peninsula. Paddle straight to the west from the end of the peninsula and you will move guide for anything from a day trip to a week long downtown shoreline is always worth it! over a patch of deeper water before coming over a very shallow reef. The main body of adventure! The John F. Warner spent several years trading between the Great Lakes and wreckage is on the western edge of this reef. European ports. After 1860, it stayed closer to home, engaged in the booming The American Union was a 185-foot schooner built in Cleveland, Ohio in 1862. It carried Island Park and Wildlife Sanctuary Great Lakes lumber trade. Anchored off the mouth of the Thunder Bay River in bulk cargoes on the upper lakes for over 30 years before stranding in a storm on May 6th, Just minutes from the Sanctuary’s Heritage Center 1890, heavy seas drove the vessel ashore south of the harbor. 1894. Visitors to the site can see the bottom of the ship and the remains of one of the in Alpena paddle 500 acres of back waters and sides. Large iron shrouds that once held the masts lie scattered at the stern of the wreck low islands filled with waterfowl. Kayaks can be Steamer Shamrock (1875 - 1905) and the centerboard trunk lies on its side near the bilge. launched from the parking area along US 23. Take GPS Coordinates: N45° 03.077’ W83° 26.052’ a hike through the varied ecosystem that includes Depth: 11 feet Schooner Portland (1863 - 1877) sand dunes, meadows, woodlands, and marsh Mooring Buoy and Diver Distance from the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center: 1 mile GPS Coordinates: N45°14.929’ W83°24.450’ areas on the 17 acre island in the wildlife sanctuary. Description: The Shamrock was built as a schooner barge and reconstructed as a Depth: 6 feet steam lumber carrier. It was bound from Ontario to Toledo with a cargo of lath when Paddling Distance:1/2 mile it encountered a furious gale on the open lake. The ship sprung a leak and became Distance from Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center: 15 miles Negwegon State Park waterlogged, but the lath cargo kept it afloat until it was beached at Black River. The Description: The Schooner Portland is wrecked near the Besser State Natural Area. Take Distance From Great Lakes Maritime abandoned vessel was later towed to Alpena and sunk. Many interesting structural US 23 North from Alpena to Grand Lake Road, then to Besser Natural Areas and follow Heritage Center: 20 miles features can still be seen on the wreck. the foot trail to the beach. Paddle northeast along the coast for ¼ mile. The wreck is Description: Take US 23 south from Alpena to located 250 feet offshore. Black River Road and Negwegon State Park. Follow (1892 - 1896) Tug Loretta The Portland was a 2-masted schooner built in Pillar Point, New York in 1863 to carry bulk the foot trail to the beach. Negwegon State Park GPS Coordinates: N44° 48.903’ W83° 16.955’ is a rustic, undeveloped natural area with beautiful Depth: 7 feet cargoes. The ship was driven ashore and broken to pieces by a storm in October 1877 while carrying a load of salt. The ship’s wreckage includes the bottom of the hull and undeveloped sandy beaches along Lake Huron. Distance from Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center: 23 miles Please use caution when visiting Negwegon as Description: The tug Loretta can be accessed from the public launch at Alcona starboard side. Township Huron Park. Head straight out of the mouth of Black River and the roads into the park are often so sandy that paddle 3/4 of a mile east. Visibility is generally excellent at this site. a four-wheel drive vehicle is needed. There are Sidewheel Steamer Albany (1846 - 1853) several shipwrecks to explore along the shores of Towing and tugging for four years, the Loretta enjoyed a short life for working GPS Coordinates: N45°19.396’ W83°27.508’ conditions on the Great Lakes. Hauling a cargo of chain, it broke its propeller Negwegon State Park near Black River and Bird Depth: 4 feet Island. on a reef coming into the Black River. The tug was brought up river and tied up Paddling Distance: ¾ mile with ¾ mile portage at the docks when it suddenly caught fire. Another tug came to its rescue and Distance from Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center: 18 miles Schooner American Union Tug Loretta towed it out into the lake where it burned to the waterline and sank. Description: The steamer Albany is located in a bay to the south of Presque Isle Harbor. The trailhead behind the Presque Isle Cemetery leads you to the beach on the Schooner Ishpeming (1872 - 1903) northwestern edge of the bay after hiking approximately ¾ of a mile. There is a small GPS Coordinates: N44° 48.589’ W83° 16.650’ island in the middle of the bay, the wreckage lies to the south-southeast of the island Depth: 12 feet approximately 300 yards offshore and 75 yards from the island’s southwestern edge. Distance from Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center: 23 miles The Albany lies in 4 feet of water and visibility is usually excellent in the bay. Description: The wreck of the schooner Ishpeming can be accessed from the public launch at Alcona Township Huron Park. Follow the directions for the tug The sidewheel steamer Albany was constructed in Detroit, Michigan in 1846 for the Loretta and then head south another 1/2 mile. Visibility is generally excellent at passenger trade. The ship encountered a gale while upbound with passengers on this site. November 26th, 1853 and was driven ashore in Albany Bay while attempting to take refuge in Presque Isle Harbor. Following the stranding, the passengers were forced to Launched in 1872, the schooner Ishpeming met with a number of disasters spend the night on the boat before being rescued by local small craft. The ship was broken throughout its career. The three-masted canaler collided with a steam barge, to pieces by subsequent storms and salvage efforts and all that remains of the wreck struck a reef, and suffered severe storm damage before finally running aground today are large sections of the bottom of the vessel’s hull. near the mouth of Black River. At the time of the grounding, the schooner was heading north with a cargo of coal and salvage crews from Alpena attempted to refloat it. After unsuccessful attempts, the Ispheming was stripped of its salvageable parts and abandoned.