Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Michigan
- Type: Salvage Freighter
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Near Lottie Wolf Shoal, Hope Island, Georgian Bay
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Michigan was a salvage freighter, commonly referred to as a “lighter,” designed to assist in recovering cargo and reusable materials from wrecked ships.
Description
Specific construction details about the Michigan, including her build date, builder, and dimensions, are limited. However, records indicate that she was a salvage vessel tasked with aiding other ships in distress. Her role involved removing cargo from stranded vessels to lighten them, facilitating their refloating and recovery.
History
On November 24, 1943, the Michigan was engaged in salvage operations to assist the stranded vessel Riverton, which had run aground near Hope Island in Georgian Bay. While removing the grain cargo from the Riverton, the Michigan was caught in strong winds that blew her into shallow waters, causing her to run aground. Despite efforts to rescue her, the Michigan was broken up by the elements and declared a total loss. Her crew managed to escape safely, and the Riverton was eventually saved.
Significant Incidents
- November 24, 1943: The Michigan runs aground while assisting the Riverton and is declared a total loss.
Final Disposition
The Michigan was destroyed after running aground near Hope Island in Georgian Bay on November 24, 1943. Her remains, including twisted metal hull fragments and salvage equipment, are scattered near Lottie Wolf Shoal, providing a site of interest for divers and maritime historians.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Michigan lies near Lottie Wolf Shoal off Hope Island in Georgian Bay. The site has become a popular location for scuba divers, offering a glimpse into Ontario’s marine heritage.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”michigan” title=”References & Links”]
The Michigan played a vital role in maritime salvage operations on the Great Lakes. Her loss during the salvage of the Riverton underscores the risks faced by vessels engaged in such operations. Today, her wreck near Hope Island serves as a historical site, offering insights into the region’s rich maritime heritage.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Identification & Site Information:
- Name: Michigan
- Former Names: None
- Registration Number(s): Not specified
- Date Built and Launched: Not specified
- Measurements: Not specified
- Date Lost: November 24, 1943
Vessel Type
The Michigan was a salvage freighter, commonly referred to as a “lighter,” designed to assist in recovering cargo and reusable materials from wrecked ships.
Description
Specific construction details about the Michigan, including her build date, builder, and dimensions, are limited. However, records indicate that she was a salvage vessel tasked with aiding other ships in distress. Her role involved removing cargo from stranded vessels to lighten them, facilitating their refloating and recovery.
History
On November 24, 1943, the Michigan was engaged in salvage operations to assist the stranded vessel Riverton, which had run aground near Hope Island in Georgian Bay. While removing the grain cargo from the Riverton, the Michigan was caught in strong winds that blew her into shallow waters, causing her to run aground. Despite efforts to rescue her, the Michigan was broken up by the elements and declared a total loss. Her crew managed to escape safely, and the Riverton was eventually saved.
Final Disposition
The Michigan was destroyed after running aground near Hope Island in Georgian Bay on November 24, 1943. Her remains, including twisted metal hull fragments and salvage equipment, are scattered near Lottie Wolf Shoal, providing a site of interest for divers and maritime historians
Located By & Date Found
The wreck of the Michigan lies near Lottie Wolf Shoal off Hope Island in Georgian Bay. The site has become a popular location for scuba divers, offering a glimpse into Ontario’s marine heritage.
Notmars & Advisories
No specific obstructions or navigational advisories related to the Michigan are noted in available records. Given the passage of time and the vessel’s relatively small size, it is unlikely that her remains pose a significant hazard to current navigation.
Resources & Links
- Hope Island Wrecks Offer Glimpse into Ontario’s Marine Heritage
- Shipwrecks of Southeastern Georgian Bay
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – M
Conclusion
The Michigan played a vital role in maritime salvage operations on the Great Lakes. Her loss during the salvage of the Riverton underscores the risks faced by vessels engaged in such operations. Today, her wreck near Hope Island serves as a historical site, offering insights into the region’s rich maritime heritage.
Suggested Keywords and Categories
- Great Lakes Shipwrecks
- Michigan Salvage Freighter
- Georgian Bay Maritime History
- Hope Island Shipwrecks
- 1943 Great Lakes Incidents
- Salvage Operations
Glossary Terms
- Salvage Freighter: A vessel designed to assist in recovering cargo and materials from wrecked or stranded ships.
- Lighter: A type of flat-bottomed barge used to transfer goods to and from moored ships.
- Foundered: A term used to describe a vessel filling with water and sinking.
If you have further questions or require additional information about the Michigan or other shipwrecks in the Great Lakes region, feel free to ask.
michigan-2 1943-11-24 21:38:00