Identification & Site Information
Other Names: None
Official Number: Not assigned
Registry: Unknown
Vessel Type: Unidentified wreck/obstruction
Builder: Unknown
Year Built: Unknown
Dimensions: Not recorded
Tonnage: Not recorded
Cargo on Final Voyage: Unknown
Date of Loss: Unknown (charted before 1987 survey reference)
Location: Lake Huron, offshore from Au Gres, Michigan
Coordinates: 44°01′00.0″N, 83°39′00.0″W
Depth: 0 ft (awash/subsurface hazard)
Home Port: Unknown
Owners: Unknown
Crew: Unknown
Casualties: Unknown
Vessel Type Description
The wreck remains unidentified and uncharacterized. Its position at a reported depth of “0 feet” indicates it was likely awash or protruding at the surface when first charted, creating a dangerous obstruction. Without size, tonnage, or construction data, it is impossible to classify the vessel with certainty. It may represent an Abandoned scow, Barge, or smaller workboat driven ashore or left near the shallow coastal waters of western Lake Huron.
History
The wreck’s charting is attributed to data scaled from U.S. Chart 14863 at 1:120,000. The positional quality is listed as “Low”, meaning that its exact coordinates are uncertain. The source of the record is unclear and may derive from early navigation hazard notices, local reporting, or incomplete Coast Guard logs. No archival record exists of its sinking, registry, or ownership.
Final Disposition
The obstruction remains charted as a dangerous wreck in Lake Huron near Au Gres, Michigan. No salvage or removal has been documented. A modern hydrographic resurvey is recommended to confirm its existence and hazard level.
Located By & Date Found
Not discovered by direct survey. Entry originates from scaled chart data of unknown origin. Hydrographic survey assignment S-X927-HFP-87 has been designated to verify the wreck’s presence and extent.
NOTMARs & Advisories
The wreck is identified as dangerous to surface navigation. Mariners should exercise caution within 0.5 nautical miles of the reported coordinates. Consult the Local Notice to Mariners (LNM) archive for updates on this feature’s verified position.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- USCG Local Notice to Mariners Archive
- NOAA / U.S. Hydrographic Office Chart 14863
Conclusion
Record 4688 marks a hazardous, unidentified wreck or obstruction near Au Gres, Michigan, in western Lake Huron. With its depth charted at 0 feet and positional accuracy classified as low, the site remains a potential danger to small craft navigation. A full survey and bottom drag investigation are required to establish its existence and update hazard charts. Until then, it remains one of Lake Huron’s unresolved wreck mysteries.
Tags & Categories
Tags: Unknown wreck, Lake Huron hazard, Au Gres Michigan, dangerous obstruction, Record 4688
Categories: Lake Huron Wrecks, Hazardous Obstructions, Unidentified Shipwrecks