Identification & Site Information
- Name: Kreetan
- Official Number: 218060
- Type: Gas‑screw passenger vessel (wooden Hull)
- Built: 1919, Johnswood (presumably Johnsburg), Michigan
- Owner & Homeport: Grand Haven, Michigan; owned by I. J. Lyons (-1960s) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Date of Loss: November 15, 1939
- Location of Incident: Approximately 1 mile south of Grand Haven, Lake Michigan (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Incident Details
- While underway in a towing operation, Kreetan was crushed between two scows, an accident in which the vessel was severely damaged and sank immediately.
- There were four crew aboard, all of whom escaped unharmed—no casualties were recorded (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- The incident occurred without any recorded cargo aboard and categories the event as a “towing accident.”
Wreck & Aftermath
- The Kreetan sank quickly and appears to have been an unrecoverable Total Loss.
- No formal salvage, survey, or archaeological work has been documented. It is likely the vessel remains submerged and unmapped within Lake Michigan, approximately 1 mile down-current from Grand Haven’s maritime channel.
Archival Sources & Research Notes
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“K” list): Core incident summary indicating type, date, operator, loss of life, and accident description (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Research Gaps & Suggested Next Steps
| Research Area | Proposed Methodology |
|---|---|
| Crew identities & testimonies | Search Grand Haven Tribune (Nov–Dec 1939) for incident reports, crew interviews, or rescue details. |
| Salvage operations | Investigate harbor logbooks and Coast Guard records for any subsequent recovery attempts. |
| Ownership and vessel history | Consult Ottawa County maritime registries and Lyons family records via local historical societies for build details and service life. |
| Wreck location survey | Deploy side-scan sonar in Lake Michigan, south of Grand Haven channel, to locate Hull debris or shovel artifacts. Coordinates from harbor records may assist. |
Conclusion
The Kreetan was a small wooden gas-screw passenger or utility vessel built in 1919 and operated from Grand Haven, MI, under the ownership of I. J. Lyons. On November 15, 1939, while under tow, she was crushed between two scows and sank near Grand Haven with no loss of life.
Currently undocumented underwater, the wreck site and any associated artifacts represent a potential target for nautical archaeology and heritage documentation. Archival research and remote-sensing surveys would significantly enhance our understanding of the vessel’s construction, operational history, and final resting place.