Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanc- ducts research in an effort to better understand tuary (TBNMS), located in northwest Lake and protect the recreational, historical Huron, is adjacent to one of the most treacher- and archaeological value of the region’s mari- ous stretches of water within the time heritage resources. Knowledge acquired system. Unpredictable weather, murky fog through research is used to evaluate existing banks, sudden gales and rocky shoals earned management practices, improve future man- the area the name "Shipwreck Alley." Fire, ice, agement decisions, and educate the public collisions and storms have claimed over 200 about the significance of the Great Lakes and vessels in and around Thunder Bay. Today, their history. The sanctuary also promotes and the 4,300 square mile sanctuary protects one assists research aimed to learn about the envi- Photo: Joe Hoyt, NOAA of America's best-preserved and nationally ronmental and natural aspects of , A diver investigates the wheel of the F.T. significant collections of shipwrecks. Through and works with a variety of partners to accom- Barney, wrecked in a collision with anoth- research, education and community involve- plish these goals. er schooner in 1868. ment, the sanctuary and its partners ensure that future generations can enjoy Thunder Education and Outreach Bay's irreplaceable underwater treasures. Sanctuary education and outreach programs Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary en- are designed to raise public awareness about courages paddlers, divers and snorkelers to the sanctuary and its resources, encourage visit the area’s historic shipwrecks. Seasonal public involvement in resource protection, mooring buoys improve access to many of the increase knowledge about Great Lakes mari- sanctuary's shipwrecks by providing a safe time history and expand ocean and Great attachment point for boats. Moorings also Lakes literacy. While education and outreach protect the shipwrecks by eliminating the need efforts are concentrated in and around the for anchoring. sanctuary's visitor center facility, the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena, Photo: David Ruck, NOAA , they extend out to the region, state A snorkeler explores the remains of the Research and Monitoring and nation. Various strategies, from classroom passenger steamer Albany, lost in 1853. Lake Huron’s cold, fresh water ensures that activities to public exhibits, allow the sanctuary Thunder Bay’s shipwrecks are among the best to efficiently and effectively carry out its educa- preserved in the world. The sanctuary con- tion and outreach objectives.

Photo: Tane Casserley, NOAA NOAA divers swim by the bow of the ocean- ic steel freighter Nordmeer lying in 40 feet of water within the sanctuary.

Photo: Tane Casserly and Joe Hoyt, NOAA Photomosaic of the shipwreck Defiance, lost in 1854. Lake Huron’s cold, fresh water en- sures that Thunder Bay’s shipwrecks are among the best preserved in the world. http://thunderbay.noaa.gov/ Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Location Northwest Lake Huron, off the northeast coast of Michigan’s lower peninsula

Protected Area 4,300 square miles

Designation October 2000

By the Numbers 93 Known shipwrecks 100 Shipwrecks not yet located 36 Mooring buoys Find Us Office of National Marine Sanctuaries Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center Network of marine protected areas 100,000 annual visitors 500 West Fletcher Street Encompasses more than 600,000 square miles to the Great Lakes Alpena, MI 49707 Established October 1972 Maritime Heritage Center 989-365-8805

On the Web On the Web sanctuaries.noaa.gov Email: [email protected] www.facebook.com/NOAAOfficeofNationalMarineSanctuaries www.facebook.com/ThunderBayShipwrecks Instagram: @noaasanctuaries Twitter: @ThunderBayNMS Twitter: @sanctuaries Tumblr: @noaasanctuaries

Photo: NOAA Photo: Micheal N. Beaulac Photo: Tane Casserley, NOAA The sanctuary’s visitor center features Shipwreck sites provide paddlers, snorkelers A NOAA diver swims over the remains of the interactive exhibits about Thunder Bay’s and divers opportunities to explore some of wooden three-masted schooner, Lucinda Van shipwrecks and more. the nation’s best-preserved historic wrecks. Valkenburg. http://thunderbay.noaa.gov/