Thumb Area Bottomland Preserve
Many vessels transiting Lake Huron pass near Michigan’s “Thumb”. A scarcity of good harbors has left shipping exposed to bad weather and the concentration of shipping has led to frequent accidents. At least 22 major shipwrecks lie in and around the Thumb Area Underwater Preserve. The entire area has been the focus of wreck hunting for decades with new discoveries every year.
Throughout the season, most of these shipwrecks are buoyed, at one time or another, by private groups of divers. However, it is always best to have a backup plan, in case the wreck you plan to dive is not buoyed at the time you go out.
In addition to shipwrecks, other diving opportunities exist in the Thumb Area Underwater Preserve. Limestone ledges, walls and sunken islands are located along the Port Austin reef, near the Lighthouse. The reef is covered with remnants of numerous shipwrecks, lost over the decades. Evidence of grindstone manufacture can be found off Grindstone City. Offshore from Kinch Road, in 30 feet of water, is a large wood-stock anchor with 300 feet of chain.
Most of the Thumb area is a rural resort area with many state and local campgrounds and parks. No trip to the area is complete without visiting the Pte. Aux Barques Lighthouse and Shipwreck Museum at Lighthouse County Park. The area also hosts numerous activities and events throughout the dive season. To learn more, consult the websites for Harbor Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Huron County Visitor Bureau, Port Hope Chamber of Commerce, and the Greater Port Austin Area Chamber of Commerce.
Shipwrecks & Dive Sites
Marquis aka Tobias Butler (1892)15’N 43° 54.718 W 082° 40.777
| Wreck Name & Year Lost | Depth | GPS/LAT/LON |
|---|---|---|
| Albany (1893) | 140′ | N 44° 06.351 W 082° 42.016 |
| Arctic (1893) | 131′ | N 43° 41.462 W 082° 28.712 |
| Berlin (1877) | 8′ | N 44° 04.189 W 082° 54.713 |
| Jacob Bertschy (1879) | 8′ | N 44° 03.434 W 082° 53.076 |
| Chickamauga (1919) | 32′ | N 43° 50.950 W 082° 37.425 |
| Consuelo (1887) | 6′ | N 43° 57.411 W 082° 42.841 |
| City of Detroit (1873) | 176′ | N 44° 12.473 W 083° 00.840 |
| Detroit (1854) | 190′ | N 44° 13.611 W 082° 45.435 |
| Dump Barge (1880’s) | 74′ | N 44° 07.401 W 082° 51.276 |
| Anna Dobbins (1886) | 90′ | N 44° 08.111 W 082° 51.277 |
| Dunderburg (1868) | 155′ | N 43° 55.641 W 082° 33.391 |
| E.P. Dorr (1856) | 175′ | N 44° 08.774 W 082° 43.979 |
| Glenorchy (1924) | 120′ | N 43° 48.580 W 082° 31.792 |
| Goliath (1848) | 104′ | N 43° 47.008 W 082° 32.721 |
| Iron Chief (1904) | 129′ | N 44° 05.632 W 082° 42.588 |
| Fred Lee (1936) | 196′ | N 44° 12.428 W 082° 45.600 |
| Barbara Lyn | 19′ | N 44° 04.685 W 082° 57.002 |
| “Mackinaw” Style Boat | 8′ | N 44° 03.373 W 082° 53.481 |
| John McGean (1913) | 195′ | N 43° 57.196 W 082° 31.717 |
| Mystery Schooner | 145′ | N 43° 57.851 W 082° 35.018 |
| Hunter Savidge (1899) | 150′ | N 44° 06.520 W 082° 35.058 |
| Daniel J. Morrell stern (1966) | 218′ | N 44° 15.478 W 082° 50.088 |
| Daniel J. Morrell bow (1966) | 205′ | N 44° 18.320 W 082° 45.161 |
| Emma Nielsen (1911) | 190′ | N 44° 10.878 W 082° 42.611 |
| Dorcas Pendell (1914) | 6′ | N 43° 50.649 W 082° 38.316 |
| Philadelphia (1893) | 120′ | N 44° 04.120 W 082° 42.992 |
| Gov. Smith (1906) | 175′ | N 44° 09.333 W 082° 42.001 |
| Troy (1859) | 94′ | N 44° 08.654 W 083° 01.940 |
| Waverly (1903) | 124′ | N 43° 45.872 W 082° 30.816 |
| Marquis aka Tobias Butler (1892) | 15′ | N 43° 54.718 W 082° 40.777 |
| Off Harbor Beach | N 43° 50.195 W 082° 37.475 | |
| Off Oscabe Point | N 44° 00.952 W 082° 46.192 | |
| Off White Rock | N 43° 42.851 W 082° 36.211 | |
| West of Pt Aux Barques | N 44° 03.770 W 082° 56.907 | |
| Kinch Road Anchor | 20′ | N 44° 03.388 W 082° 49.331 |
Among the best shipwreck dives in or near the Thumb Area Underwater Preserve are:
Albany
The 267 foot steel steamer Albany was launched in 1846. She survived the collision with the Philadelphia on November 7, 1893 and was taken in tow. However, she foundered while undertow and came to rest close by the Philadelphia in 140 feet of water. She lies broken with her stern upright and her bow resting on its starboard side.
Jacob Bertschy
Lost in a storm on September 3, 1879, the 139 foot long steamer Bertschy sits in 8 feet of water southeast of the Grindstone City Harbor. This is a great shore dive for beginning divers and snorkelers, with many game fish usually seen.
City of Detroit
167’ long, intact, arched propeller resting upright in 176’ of water. Foundered December 4, 1873, with all hands (20 lives were lost.) Was bound Chicago to Sarnia with a cargo of wheat, flour and merchandise. This unique ship is upright and mostly intact with both arches still standing.
Chickamauga
A large 322-foot double deck schooner, the Chickamauga foundered on September 12, 1919. She sits in about 32 feet of water just east of Harbor Beach and is very accessible to novice divers.
Dump Barge
This 1880’s era barge was located in 74 feet of water, just outside of Grindstone City. The wreck is frequently visited by many game fish and usually has excellent visibility. The chain and winch mechanism for opening the large dump doors are still present.
Dunderburg
The schooner Dunderburg was launched in 1867. She sank off Harbor Beach after a collision on August 13, 1868. She rests fully intact in 155 feet of water. A unique, extremely well preserved figurehead adorns her bow and her cargo of grain is still sitting in her holds.
E.P. Dorr
The 120’ long salvage tug was launched in 1855 in Buffalo, NY. The Dorr was lost on June 28th, 1856 after colliding with the Oliver Cromwell. At the time of loss it was carrying salvaged parts from other vessels (anchors, windlasses, and tools) and several steam pumps. These parts and tools are scattered around the ship and on the deck. The ship rests upright in 175’ of water.
Glenorchy
This 365’ steel steamer was launched in 1902 as the A.E. Stewart. On October 29, 1924, the Glenorchy collided with the Steamer Leonard B. Miller and sank in 120’ of water without loss of life. The ship now rests upside down with penetration opportunities for those that are trained.
Goliath
The oldest known wreck in the Preserve is the Goliath, a package and bulk freighter. She exploded and burned on September 13, 1848. Her main features are an upright engine, boiler, stove and unique early propellers. They can be examined in about 104 feet of water.
Iron Chief
This wooden steamer was lost in a storm on October 4, 1904. She lies broken in 129 feet of water. Whitefish are frequent visitors to this wreck, swimming around her large piles of coal.
Fred Lee
70’ wooden tug, lost November 13, 1936 in 196’ of water off Grindstone City with a loss of 5 crew members. The Lee was bound from Sarnia to the Soo when it foundered. The remains of the tug are upright and mostly intact. The stack has recently fallen but the ships wheel and 3-chime whistle remain.
Barbara Lyn
51 foot, aluminum tug launched in 1958 in Alabama. This tug was lost October 1, 1990 during a storm, while towing 2 barges, at the cost of one life. The ship sank in 208’ of water, off Pte. Aux Barques. A salvage attempt raised the tug from deep water but it was once again lost in a storm and now rests in 19’ of water near Port Austin. This is a great beginner level dive with plenty of fish usually present.
“Mackinaw” Style Boat
Remains of a sailing vessel just outside of the Grindstone City Marina. This vessel was a double ended design with a drop centerboard. The ship is broken but is almost entirely there. The drop centerboard is present along with the remains of a dead-eye, from the little vessels single mast.
John McGean
The “The Great Storm” of November 9, 1913 claimed this large steel freighter. She was lost with all hands and now rests upside down in 195 feet of water.
Daniel J. Morrell
This large freighter was lost in a storm on November 29, 1966. The Morrell is famous for having broken into two sections with her bow coming to rest in 200 feet of water. Her stern remained under power after the loss of the bow and continued on for another 6 miles before settling into 218 feet of water. The wreck’s portions lie just north of the Preserve boundary.
Emma Nielsen
The Emma Nielsen was built at Manitowoc, WI as a 75’, 3-masted schooner, and launched in 1883. She was later lengthened to 98 ft. On June 26th, 1911, the Nielsen was up-bound in the fog when the Steamer Wyandotte suddenly appeared dead ahead. The Nielsen slammed into the side of the Wyandotte, crushing her bow, and immediately began filling with water. The captain and crew were able to escape in the yawl boat. The wreck lies upright and intact in 190 feet of water.
Philadelphia
The 236-foot steamer Philadelphia was built in 1868. She was lost in a collision with the steamer Albany on November 7, 1893. She is upright in 120 feet of water. The wreck is mostly intact with her cargo of heating and cooking stoves resting on the deck and scattered on the lake floor next to the hull.
Gov. Smith
This 240 foot long wooden steamer foundered after colliding with the steamer Uranus, on August 19, 1906. She is up right and mostly intact in 175-ft of water.
Troy
This early steamer foundered in a storm in 1859 and is broken up in 94 feet of water. Divers can view her large steeple engine, boiler, unique propeller and “hogging” arches.
Waverly
Bound for Wisconsin, she was towing the barge W.S. Crosthwaite. When 5 miles SE of Harbor Beach she was struck and sunk by the steel steamer Turret Court. The crew was picked up by the Crosthwaite. She sits upright but badly broken at a depth of 124-ft.