The Great Lakes, a collection of five freshwater lakes located in North America, have been sailed upon since at least the 17th century, and thousands of ships have been sunk while traversing them. Many of these ships were never found, so the exact number of shipwrecks in the Lakes is unknown; the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum estimates 6,000 ships and 30,000 lives lost, while historian and mariner Mark Thompson has estimated that the total number of wrecks is likely more than 25,000. In the period between 1816, when the Invincible was lost, to the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975, the Whitefish Point area alone has claimed at least 240 ships.
Sank in a storm on Lake Superior, Edmund Fitzgerald is one of the largest ships to have sunk in the Great Lakes. The exact cause of the disaster has never been made clear, and has been the subject of much discussion.
A decommissioned U.S. Navy steam sloop that was scrapped and burned to the waterline. Her hull is the only surviving remnant of a vessel built by Donald McKay.
Navarin-class French minesweeper that disappeared in a storm, along with minesweeper Cerisoles
Iosco
Iosco
Ship
Iosco
Flag
United States
Sunk date
2 September 1905
Notes
A wooden steamer that sank near the Huron Islands
Ira H. Owen
Ira H. Owen
Ship
Ira H. Owen
Flag
United States
Sunk date
28 November 1905
Notes
Early steel steamer lost off Outer Island with all hands
Invincible
Invincible
Ship
Invincible
Sunk date
1816
Notes
A wooden two-masted schooner employed in the fur trade by the Northwest Company. It was lost in a storm in 1816. Generally considered to be the first recorded ship to sink in the Great Lakes.
J. S. Seaverns
J. S. Seaverns
Ship
J. S. Seaverns
Flag
United States
Sunk date
10 May 1884
Notes
Sank off Michipicoten, no lives lost. Wreck discovered in 2016.
A schooner barge that survived the 1919 storm that took her partner, Myron. Miztec's good fortune ended when she sank in 1921 with the loss of all hands. She came to rest next to Myron.
A wooden lumber carrier that sank off Whitefish Point 14 crew lost [no survivors].Located 2 May 2024
40 miles northwest of Whitefish Point in over 600 feet (180 m) of water
Algoma
Canada
7 November 1885
Ran aground and broke in two off the shore of Mott Island.
Algoma)
Amboy
United States
1905
Ran aground during the Mataafa Storm of 1905.
Amboy)
America
United States
7 June 1928
A passenger and delivery ship that ran aground on a reef off the shore of Isle Royale.
America)
Antelope
United States
7 October 1897
Schooner-barge sank near Apostle Islands. Wreck discovered in 2016 near Michigan Island
Antelope)
Arlington
Canada
1 May 1940
A steamship that broke up and sank in heavy seas.
Arlington)
Atlanta
United States
4 May 1891
A schooner barge sank after breaking her tow line in a storm.
Bannockburn
Canada
21 November 1902
A steel-hulled freighter that disappeared on Lake Superior.
Benjamin Noble
United States
28 April 1914
sank off Duluth; found 2004.
Benjamin Noble)
Big Bay sloop
Unknown
Unidentified sloop believed to have originated from 1880 to 1920.
Big Bay sloop)
Cerisoles
France
24 November 1918
Navarin-class French minesweeper that disappeared in a storm, along with minesweeper Inkerman
Chester A. Congdon
United States
6 November 1918
A bulk steel freighter that went aground in fog off Isle Royale.
Chester A. Congdon)
City of Ashland
United States
8 August 1887
A steam-powered tugboat, which caught fire and burned to the waterline near the shore of its namesake city, Ashland, Wisconsin.
City of Ashland)
City of Bangor
United States
30 November 1926
A steamer that grounded in a storm with a cargo of 248 Chrysler vehicles.
Comet
United States
26 August 1875
Cargo and passenger steamship that suffered a series of maritime accidents before her final collision with Manitoba in Whitefish Bay.
Comet)
Cumberland
Canada
25 July 1887
A paddlewheeler that struck a reef and broke apart near Rock of Ages Light.
Cumberland)
Cyprus
United States
11 October 1907
A lake freighter that capsized and sank near Deer Park.
Cyprus)
Clemson
United States
1 December 1908
Disappeared on Lake Superior on 1 December 1908.
Edmund Fitzgerald
United States
10 November 1975
Sank in a storm on Lake Superior, Edmund Fitzgerald is one of the largest ships to have sunk in the Great Lakes. The exact cause of the disaster has never been made clear, and has been the subject of much discussion.
Edmund Fitzgerald)
Emperor
Canada
4 June 1947
A freighter that ran aground and partially sank off Isle Royale.
Emperor)
USS Essex
United States
13 October 1931
A decommissioned U.S. Navy steam sloop that was scrapped and burned to the waterline. Her hull is the only surviving remnant of a vessel built by Donald McKay.
USS Essex)
Ferdinand Schlesinger
United States
26 May 1919
A lake freighter that sank after springing a leak in a storm.
George Spencer
United States
28 November 1905
A wooden freighter that ran aground and sank in the Mataafa Storm of 1905.
George Spencer)
Glenlyon
Canada
1 November 1924
A freighter that ran aground and sank off Menagerie Island.
Glenlyon)
Gunilda
United States
11 August 1911
A yacht that ran up on McGarvey Shoal and sank on Lake Superior.
Gunilda)
George M. Cox
United States
May 1933
A ship that ran aground and sank on a calm day.
George M. Cox)
Harriet B.
United States
3 May 1922
Sank off Two Harbors after being rammed in fog.
Harriet B.)
Henry B. Smith
United States
10 November 1913
Lost in Lake Superior during the Great Lakes Storm of 1913.
Henry B. Smith)
Henry Chisholm
United States
20 October 1898
A wooden freighter that sank off the shore of Isle Royale.
Henry Chisholm)
Henry Steinbrenner
United States
11 May 1953
Great Lakes freighter lost on Lake Superior.
Hesper
United States
3 May 1905
A wooden bulk-freighter steamship that sank in a snowstorm at Silver Bay.
Hesper)
Hudson
United States
16 September 1901
A steel-hulled steamer that was lost with all hands off Eagle Harbor; Wreck discovered 2019 off Eagle River
Hudson)
Inkerman
France
24 November 1918
Navarin-class French minesweeper that disappeared in a storm, along with minesweeper Cerisoles
Iosco
United States
2 September 1905
A wooden steamer that sank near the Huron Islands
Ira H. Owen
United States
28 November 1905
Early steel steamer lost off Outer Island with all hands
Invincible
1816
A wooden two-masted schooner employed in the fur trade by the Northwest Company. It was lost in a storm in 1816. Generally considered to be the first recorded ship to sink in the Great Lakes.
J. S. Seaverns
United States
10 May 1884
Sank off Michipicoten, no lives lost. Wreck discovered in 2016.
Seaverns)
James Gayley
United States
12 July 1909
Sank after being rammed by Rensselaer.
John B. Cowle
United States
12 July 1909
Sank in Whitefish Bay with the loss of 14 lives after colliding with Isaac M. Scott.
John B. Cowle)
John M. Osborn
United States
27 July 1884
Wooden steam barge rammed by "terror of the lakes" Alberta.
John M. Osborn)
Kamloops
Canada
7 December 1927
A Canadian canaller that sank off Isle Royale.
Kamloops)
Lafayette
United States
28 November 1905
A steel-hulled bulk freighter that broke in half near Two Harbors, Minnesota.
Lafayette)
Lambton
Canada
18 April 1922
Canadian lighthouse tender that sank in Whitefish Bay
Lucerne
United States
November 1886
A commercial schooner that sank off the coast of Long Island.
Lucerne)
Madeira
United States
28 November 1905
A casualty of the Mataafa Storm in 1905.
Madeira (shipwreck))
Marquette
United States
1903
A bulk freighter that sank off Michigan Island.
Marquette)
May Flower
United States
2 June 1891
Two-masted scow schooner that capsized off the Lester River.
May Flower)
Miztec
United States
13 May 1921
A schooner barge that survived the 1919 storm that took her partner, Myron. Miztec's good fortune ended when she sank in 1921 with the loss of all hands. She came to rest next to Myron.
Miztec)
· Lake Huron
Multi-metric bars
World heat map
Africa
Africa
Ship
Africa
Sunk date
October 1895
Notes
Sank while carrying coal on the way from Ashtabula, Ohio to Owen Sound. Wreck discovered in June 2023.
Arabia
Arabia
Ship
Arabia
Sunk date
October 1884
Notes
Barque that foundered off Echo Island near Tobermory, Ontario in 120 feet (37 m) of water.
Argus
Argus
Ship
Argus
Flag
United States
Sunk date
9 November 1913
Notes
Wreckage found near Bayfield Ontario Canada
CC Martin
CC Martin
Ship
CC Martin
Sunk date
1911
Notes
Tug lost with barge Albatross during storm off French River, ten lives lost.
Capsized in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913. Sighted floating upside-down on 10 November 1913 and identified as Charles S. Price before it sank on 15 November 1913. Wreck was not found until the 1960s.
City of Grand Rapids was a double-decker passenger streamer that caught fire while docked in Little Tub Harbour. For the security of the harbour, the City of Grand Rapids was towed out into Georgian Bay and released to burn. From there she drifted to the head of Big Tub Harbour where she burnt to the waterline and sank.
Clifton
Clifton
Ship
Clifton
Flag
United States
Sunk date
21-22 September 1924
Notes
The whaleback foundered in a storm near Thunder Bay Island.
Cornelia B. Windiate
Cornelia B. Windiate
Ship
Cornelia B. Windiate
Sunk date
27 November 1875
Notes
Iced up and slowly sank in a storm after passing through the Straits of Mackinac.
Broke in two in a storm on Lake Huron, with the aft section coming to rest five miles from the bow.
Coordinates
43°51′00″N 82°35′24″W / 43.850°N 82.590°W / 43.850; -82.590 (SS Daniel J. Morrell)
Dorcas Pendell
Dorcas Pendell
Ship
Dorcas Pendell
Sunk date
6 July 1914
Notes
Shallow-water shipwreck located in the harbor of Harbor Beach, Michigan. Dorcas Pendell was a schooner built in 1884 and burned in place on 6 July 1914 after running aground.
D.R. Hanna
D.R. Hanna
Ship
D.R. Hanna
Flag
United States
Sunk date
16 May 1919
Notes
A 552-foot-long (168 m) steel freighter that sank in a collision with Quincy A. Shaw.
The vessel ran aground and sank in foggy weather near south east end of Bear's Rump Island in Georgian Bay near Tobermory. The ship's smashed stem is in 60 feet (18 m) and stern is at 150 feet (46 m) depth.
Lost on Lake Huron during the Great Lakes Storm of 1913. Its wreck was discovered in July 2015.
Ironton
Ironton
Ship
Ironton
Sunk date
26 September 1894
Notes
A schooner that sank in a collision with the wooden freighter Ohio.
Isaac M. Scott
Isaac M. Scott
Ship
Isaac M. Scott
Flag
United States
Sunk date
9 November 1913
Notes
A lake freighter that sank in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913.
Coordinates
45°03′N 83°02′W / 45.050°N 83.033°W / 45.050; -83.033 (SS Isaac M. Scott)
James C. King
James C. King
Ship
James C. King
Sunk date
November 1901
Notes
While under tow by W. L. Wetmore, which was wrecked by a storm, James C. King was wrecked too at the northwest end of Bonnet Island near Tobermory, Ontario in about 90 feet (27 m) of water.
James Carruthers
James Carruthers
Ship
James Carruthers
Flag
Canada
Sunk date
9 November 1913
Notes
Lost on Lake Huron during the Great Lakes Storm of 1913.
Wooden bulk freighter wrecked in shallow water off the coast of Thunder Bay Island while towing a consort-barge to Duluth. While still stranded, its engine and boiler were salvaged, and the rest of it has since broken up and separated about 35 feet (11 m) underwater.
Lost in storm off Harbor Beach in Lake Huron in the Great Storm of 1913. Wreck discovered in 1985.
Coordinates
43°57′12″N 82°31′43″W / 43.953267°N 82.528617°W / 43.953267; -82.528617 (SS John A. McGean)
Kaliyuga
Kaliyuga
Ship
Kaliyuga
Flag
United States
Sunk date
October 1905
Notes
A wooden steamship lost in a storm. In October 1905 crew of 16 were lost
Lottie Wolf
Lottie Wolf
Ship
Lottie Wolf
Sunk date
16 October 1891
Notes
The schooner broke up in gale force seas in shallow water about 200 feet (61 m) off the Hope Island Lighthouse in about 30 feet (9.1 m) of water near Midland, Ontario.
Manasoo
Manasoo
Ship
Manasoo
Flag
Canada
Sunk date
1928
Notes
Discovered 200 feet (61 m) below the Georgian Bay in excellent condition with a 1927 Chevrolet Coupe inside.
Mapledawn
Mapledawn
Ship
Mapledawn
Sunk date
30 November 1924
Notes
This steel freighter ran aground in a snow storm on the west side of Christian Island near Midland, Ontario. She is in 35 feet (11 m) of water with part of the stem sticking out of the water.
Marine City
Marine City
Ship
Marine City
Flag
United States
Sunk date
28 August 1880
Notes
Sidewheel steamer passenger vessel. Caught on fire and quickly burnt down to the waterline. All crew survived; 5 of 150 passengers lost. Wreck sits in 3 feet (0.91 m) of water, just north of Sturgeon Point Light.
Coordinates
44°46'14.2"N 83°17'22.0"W
Metamora
Metamora
Ship
Metamora
Flag
Canada
Sunk date
30 September 1907
Notes
A wooden tug that burned to the waterline near Pointe au Baril, Georgian Bay.
While removing grain from the stranded Riverton at the northwest end of Hope Island near Midland, Ontario, high winds blew her into shallow waters grounding her in 20 feet (6.1 m) of water.
Minnedosa
Minnedosa
Ship
Minnedosa
Flag
Canada
Sunk date
20 October 1905
Notes
Sank while in tow, near Harbor Beach, Michigan; Nine crew and passengers lost.
Monohansett
Monohansett
Ship
Monohansett
Sunk date
23 November 1907
Notes
The wooden steam barge sank after catching fire near Thunder Bay Island in Lake Huron. As the wreck took place near the island's Life Saving Station, there were no deaths.
A wooden freighter that sank in a collision with the schooner Ironton.
Philo Scoville
Philo Scoville
Ship
Philo Scoville
Sunk date
October 1889
Notes
Wrecked during a storm and is in 100 feet (30 m) of water at north east end of Bonnet Island near Tobermory, Ontario.
Regina
Regina
Ship
Regina
Flag
Canada
Sunk date
10 November 1913
Notes
Lost on Lake Huron during the Great Lakes Storm of 1913.
R.G. Coburn
R.G. Coburn
Ship
R.G. Coburn
Sunk date
19 October 1871
Notes
A passenger and cargo freighter that sank in a storm.
Searchlight
Searchlight
Ship
Searchlight
Flag
United States
Sunk date
23 April 1907
Notes
A fishing tug lost with crew of six In November 1913 some of the wreckage and the remains of an unknown crewman were found at Harbor Beach after the Great Lakes Storm of 1913
Sweepstakes
Sweepstakes
Ship
Sweepstakes
Flag
Canada
Sunk date
September 1885
Notes
A schooner that was damaged off Cove Island in August, then sank a month later in Big Tub Harbour, near Tobermory.
Lost on Lake Huron during the Great Lakes Storm of 1913.
W.L. Wetmore
W.L. Wetmore
Ship
W.L. Wetmore
Sunk date
November 1901
Notes
Wrecked in a storm at the west end of Bonnet Island in about 30 feet (9.1 m) of water, near Tobermory, Ontario.
Ranked list
Ship
Flag
Sunk date
Notes
Coordinates
Image
Africa
October 1895
Sank while carrying coal on the way from Ashtabula, Ohio to Owen Sound. Wreck discovered in June 2023.
Arabia
October 1884
Barque that foundered off Echo Island near Tobermory, Ontario in 120 feet (37 m) of water.
Argus
United States
9 November 1913
Wreckage found near Bayfield Ontario Canada
CC Martin
1911
Tug lost with barge Albatross during storm off French River, ten lives lost.
CC Martin)
Cedarville
United States
7 May 1965
A bulk carrier that collided with Topdalsfjord in the Straits of Mackinac.
Cedarville)
Charles S. Price
United States
15 November 1913
Capsized in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913. Sighted floating upside-down on 10 November 1913 and identified as Charles S. Price before it sank on 15 November 1913. Wreck was not found until the 1960s.
Charles S. Price)
Choctaw
United States
12 February 1915
Sank in a collision with Wahcondah.
SS Choctaw)
City of Grand Rapids
29 October 1907
City of Grand Rapids was a double-decker passenger streamer that caught fire while docked in Little Tub Harbour. For the security of the harbour, the City of Grand Rapids was towed out into Georgian Bay and released to burn. From there she drifted to the head of Big Tub Harbour where she burnt to the waterline and sank.
Clifton
United States
21-22 September 1924
The whaleback foundered in a storm near Thunder Bay Island.
Cornelia B. Windiate
27 November 1875
Iced up and slowly sank in a storm after passing through the Straits of Mackinac.
Cornelia B. Windiate)
Daniel J. Morrell
United States
29 November 1966
Broke in two in a storm on Lake Huron, with the aft section coming to rest five miles from the bow.
SS Daniel J. Morrell)
Dorcas Pendell
6 July 1914
Shallow-water shipwreck located in the harbor of Harbor Beach, Michigan. Dorcas Pendell was a schooner built in 1884 and burned in place on 6 July 1914 after running aground.
Hanna
United States
16 May 1919
A 552-foot-long (168 m) steel freighter that sank in a collision with Quincy A. Shaw.
SS D.R. Hanna)
Emma L. Nielson
26 June 1911
Collision in fog off Pointe Aux Barques.
Equinox
10 September 1875
A steamship that sank near Au Sable during a storm in which 22 of 23 aboard were lost.
Erie Belle
Canada
21 November 1883
A steamship that exploded and sank while attempting to rescue the stranded schooner J. N. Carter.
Erie Belle)
Forest City
5 June 1904
The vessel ran aground and sank in foggy weather near south east end of Bear's Rump Island in Georgian Bay near Tobermory. The ship's smashed stem is in 60 feet (18 m) and stern is at 150 feet (46 m) depth.
SS Forest City)
Hunter Savidge
20 August 1899
Capsized and sank off Pointe Aux Barques.
Hydrus
United States
11 November 1913
Lost on Lake Huron during the Great Lakes Storm of 1913. Its wreck was discovered in July 2015.
Ironton
26 September 1894
A schooner that sank in a collision with the wooden freighter Ohio.
Isaac M. Scott
United States
9 November 1913
A lake freighter that sank in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913.
SS Isaac M. Scott)
James C. King
November 1901
While under tow by W. L. Wetmore, which was wrecked by a storm, James C. King was wrecked too at the northwest end of Bonnet Island near Tobermory, Ontario in about 90 feet (27 m) of water.
James Carruthers
Canada
9 November 1913
Lost on Lake Huron during the Great Lakes Storm of 1913.
SS James Carruthers)
James Davidson
4 October 1883
Wooden bulk freighter wrecked in shallow water off the coast of Thunder Bay Island while towing a consort-barge to Duluth. While still stranded, its engine and boiler were salvaged, and the rest of it has since broken up and separated about 35 feet (11 m) underwater.
James Davidson)
John A. McGean
United States
1913
Lost in storm off Harbor Beach in Lake Huron in the Great Storm of 1913. Wreck discovered in 1985.
SS John A. McGean)
Kaliyuga
United States
October 1905
A wooden steamship lost in a storm. In October 1905 crew of 16 were lost
Lottie Wolf
16 October 1891
The schooner broke up in gale force seas in shallow water about 200 feet (61 m) off the Hope Island Lighthouse in about 30 feet (9.1 m) of water near Midland, Ontario.
Manasoo
Canada
1928
Discovered 200 feet (61 m) below the Georgian Bay in excellent condition with a 1927 Chevrolet Coupe inside.
Mapledawn
30 November 1924
This steel freighter ran aground in a snow storm on the west side of Christian Island near Midland, Ontario. She is in 35 feet (11 m) of water with part of the stem sticking out of the water.
Marine City
United States
28 August 1880
Sidewheel steamer passenger vessel. Caught on fire and quickly burnt down to the waterline. All crew survived; 5 of 150 passengers lost. Wreck sits in 3 feet (0.91 m) of water, just north of Sturgeon Point Light.
44°46'14.2"N 83°17'22.0"W
Metamora
Canada
30 September 1907
A wooden tug that burned to the waterline near Pointe au Baril, Georgian Bay.
Metamora (shipwreck))
Michigan
November 1943
While removing grain from the stranded Riverton at the northwest end of Hope Island near Midland, Ontario, high winds blew her into shallow waters grounding her in 20 feet (6.1 m) of water.
Minnedosa
Canada
20 October 1905
Sank while in tow, near Harbor Beach, Michigan; Nine crew and passengers lost.
Monohansett
23 November 1907
The wooden steam barge sank after catching fire near Thunder Bay Island in Lake Huron. As the wreck took place near the island's Life Saving Station, there were no deaths.
A cargo ship that collided with Royalston north of Thunder Bay Island.
SS Monrovia)
Ohio
United States
26 September 1894
A wooden freighter that sank in a collision with the schooner Ironton.
Philo Scoville
October 1889
Wrecked during a storm and is in 100 feet (30 m) of water at north east end of Bonnet Island near Tobermory, Ontario.
Regina
Canada
10 November 1913
Lost on Lake Huron during the Great Lakes Storm of 1913.
Coburn
19 October 1871
A passenger and cargo freighter that sank in a storm.
Searchlight
United States
23 April 1907
A fishing tug lost with crew of six In November 1913 some of the wreckage and the remains of an unknown crewman were found at Harbor Beach after the Great Lakes Storm of 1913
Sweepstakes
Canada
September 1885
A schooner that was damaged off Cove Island in August, then sank a month later in Big Tub Harbour, near Tobermory.
Sweepstakes)
True North II
Canada
16 June 2000
A glass-bottomed tour boat that sank in Georgian Bay, killing two students.
Typo
14 October 1899
The wooden three-masted schooner was run down by the steamer W.P. Ketcham. The ship sank immediately and three of the seven crew on board drowned.
A self-unloading Great Lakes freighter caught in a storm on Lake Michigan, it split in two and sank with all except two survivors. Their company did not believe that the ship split in two, since this was the first time there were any witnesses to see this happen. The weakened hull was due to too much sulphur in the metal causing it to become brittle in cold weather.
Chicora
Chicora
Ship
Chicora
Flag
United States
Sunk date
21 January 1895
Notes
A steamer that went missing in Lake Michigan-22 people lost
Christina Nilsson
Christina Nilsson
Ship
Christina Nilsson
Sunk date
23 October 1884
Notes
A schooner that sank in a blizzard off Baileys Harbor.
City of Muskegon
City of Muskegon
Ship
City of Muskegon
Flag
United States
Sunk date
28 October 1919
Notes
A paddlewheel steamer that struck a pier in a gale at Muskegon, Michigan, sinking in four minutes.
Continental
Continental
Ship
Continental
Sunk date
1904
Notes
A bulk carrier that sank off the coast of Two Rivers.
Daniel Lyons
Daniel Lyons
Ship
Daniel Lyons
Flag
United States
Sunk date
17 October 1878
Notes
A schooner that collided with Kate Gillett off Algoma.
Dreadnaught
Dreadnaught
Ship
Dreadnaught
Sunk date
September 1886
Notes
Schooner which was sunk after collision with the tug Cheney off Pt. Au Gres, Saginaw Bay.
Eber Ward
Eber Ward
Ship
Eber Ward
Flag
United States
Sunk date
20 April 1909
Notes
A cargo ship that foundered in heavy ice west of Mackinaw City.
Erie L. Hackley
Erie L. Hackley
Ship
Erie L. Hackley
Flag
United States
Sunk date
3 October 1903
Notes
A cargo liner that sank in a storm near Green Island, Wisconsin. 11 people were killed and 8 rescued.
Rolled over in the Chicago River in Chicago, Illinois. A total of 844 passengers and crew were killed––the largest loss of life in a single shipwreck on the Great Lakes.
Fleetwing
Fleetwing
Ship
Fleetwing
Flag
United States
Sunk date
26 September 1888
Notes
A schooner that ran aground off the coast of Liberty Grove.
Francisco Morazan
Francisco Morazan
Ship
Francisco Morazan
Flag
Liberia
Sunk date
29 November 1960
Notes
Grounded and became a total loss in 1960 off the south shore of South Manitou Island. She ran over the wreck of the bulk freighter Walter L Frost.
Frank O'Connor
Frank O'Connor
Ship
Frank O'Connor
Flag
United States
Sunk date
3 October 1919
Notes
A bulk carrier that caught fire and sank off the coast of North Bay.
A schooner that was run aground by a gale off the coast of Plum Island.
Green Bay
Green Bay
Ship
Green Bay
Notes
An unidentified sloop off the coast of Sevastopol, believed to date from 1840 to 1860.
Grace A. Channon
Grace A. Channon
Ship
Grace A. Channon
Flag
United States
Sunk date
1877
Notes
A three-masted wooden schooner that collided with the propeller tug Favourite 12 miles (19 km) south of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Hanover
Hanover
Ship
Hanover
Sunk date
November 1867
Notes
A schooner that struck a shoal near the Strawberry Islands.
Hennepin
Hennepin
Ship
Hennepin
Sunk date
18 August 1927
Notes
The first self-unloading bulk carrier; sprang a leak off the east coast of Lake Michigan.
Henry Cort
Henry Cort
Ship
Henry Cort
Flag
United States
Sunk date
30 November 1934
Notes
A whaleback freighter that ran aground at Muskegon, Michigan. One Coast Guardsman killed.
Hippocampus
Hippocampus
Ship
Hippocampus
Sunk date
8 September 1868
Notes
A passenger and cargo freighter that sank in a storm near Benton Harbor.
Home
Home
Ship
Home
Flag
United States
Sunk date
1858
Notes
A schooner that collided with the William Fiske off the coast of Centerville.
Iris
Iris
Ship
Iris
Flag
United States
Sunk date
1913
Notes
A schooner that ran aground off the coast of Washington Island.
Joys
Joys
Ship
Joys
Flag
United States
Sunk date
23 December 1898
Notes
A steamboat that caught fire at anchor in the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal.
Lac La Belle
Lac La Belle
Ship
Lac La Belle
Flag
United States
Sunk date
14 October 1872
Notes
A package freighter that sank after encountering a storm.
Lady Elgin
Lady Elgin
Ship
Lady Elgin
Flag
United States
Sunk date
8 September 1860
Notes
A steamship wrecked in Lake Michigan near Chicago following a collision with the schooner Augusta. The greatest loss of life (300) on open water in the Great Lakes.
A steamboat that caught fire in a snowstorm off Washington.
L.R. Doty
L.R. Doty
Ship
L.R. Doty
Flag
United States
Sunk date
25 October 1898
Notes
A steamship lost in a violent storm while towing Olive Jeanette.
Lumberman
Lumberman
Ship
Lumberman
Sunk date
6 April 1893
Notes
A schooner that sank in a storm off the coast of Oak Creek.
Margaret A. Muir
Margaret A. Muir
Ship
Margaret A. Muir
Flag
United States
Sunk date
30 September 1893
Notes
A wooden, three-masted schooner that sank in a storm off the coast of Algoma, Wisconsin. All six crew, except the captain's dog, survived. The wreck was discovered on May 12, 2024.
Meridian
Meridian
Ship
Meridian
Flag
United States
Sunk date
October 1873
Notes
A schooner that sank off the coast off Sister Bay.
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Ship
Milwaukee
Flag
United States
Sunk date
22 October 1929
Notes
A train ferry that sank in a storm off Milwaukee with the loss of all hands. She lies about four miles (6.4 km) northeast of the North Point Lighthouse.
Mount Vernon
Mount Vernon
Ship
Mount Vernon
Sunk date
10 April 1869
Notes
Ran aground in weather off Kewaunee, Wisconsin.
Niagara
Niagara
Ship
Niagara
Flag
United States
Sunk date
23 September 1856
Notes
A palace steamer that caught fire and sank off Belgium, Wisconsin.
Northerner
Northerner
Ship
Northerner
Flag
United States
Sunk date
29 November 1868
Notes
A schooner that capsized off Port Washington.
Ocean Wave
Ocean Wave
Ship
Ocean Wave
Flag
United States
Sunk date
23 September 1869
Notes
A scow schooner that sank in a storm off the coast of Door County.
Pere Marquette 18
Pere Marquette 18
Ship
Pere Marquette 18
Flag
United States
Sunk date
9 September 1910
Notes
A steel-hulled car ferry that mysteriously flooded, and sank on Lake Michigan. 29 people were lost.
Phoenix
Phoenix
Ship
Phoenix
Flag
United States
Sunk date
21 November 1847
Notes
Wooden steamship that caught fire from over-stoked boilers and burned to the waterline off the coast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, killing at least 190 but perhaps more than 250 of the nearly 300 people on board. Thirty-nine people survived in lifeboats and three were rescued from the water.
Prins Willem V
Prins Willem V
Ship
Prins Willem V
Flag
Netherlands
Sunk date
14 October 1954
Notes
Dutch general cargo motor vessel. Sank after colliding with an unlit oil barge in tow.
R. J. Hackett
R. J. Hackett
Ship
R. J. Hackett
Flag
United States
Sunk date
12 November 1905
Notes
The first Great Lakes freighter; caught fire, ran aground and sank in Green Bay.
A lumber freighter that took on water and was driven aground on South Manitou Island.
Toledo
Toledo
Ship
Toledo
Flag
United States
Sunk date
24 October 1856
Notes
Seventy-nine of 81 passengers and crew were lost when she sank near Port Washington, Wisconsin in 10 to 35 feet (3.0 to 10.7 m) of water. Also carried freight. Wood hull, propeller/direct acting steam engine built by B.B. Jones Co, Buffalo, New York 1854.
UC-97
UC-97
Ship
UC-97
Flag
Imperial German Navy
Sunk date
7 June 1921
Notes
A German Type UC III submarine sunk as a target off the coast of Highland Park, Illinois.
Walter L. Frost
Walter L. Frost
Ship
Walter L. Frost
Sunk date
4 November 1903
Notes
Stranded off South Manitou Island. Her carcass was struck by and caused the sinking of the cargo ship Francisco Morazan in 1960.
W. C. Kimball
W. C. Kimball
Ship
W. C. Kimball
Sunk date
May 1891
Notes
sixty-five-foot (20 m) wooden schooner sank off South Manitou Island; wreck in excellent condition.
Westmoreland
Westmoreland
Ship
Westmoreland
Sunk date
1854
Notes
Wreck was discovered in 2010 in Platte Bay, near Traverse City, Michigan.
W.H. Gilcher
W.H. Gilcher
Ship
W.H. Gilcher
Flag
United States
Sunk date
28 October 1892
Notes
W.H. Gilcher was a steel-hulled freighter that went missing on Lake Michigan on 28 October 1892. 18 people were killed.
William B. Davock
William B. Davock
Ship
William B. Davock
Flag
United States
Sunk date
11 November 1940
Notes
Sank near Pentwater in the Armistice Day Blizzard. 32–33 people were killed.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Ship
Wisconsin
Flag
United States
Sunk date
October 1929
Notes
A steamboat that sank off the coast of Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Ranked list
Ship
Flag
Sunk date
Notes
Coordinates
Image
Alpena
United States
15 October 1880
A sidewheel steamer that capsized in a storm. About 60 people were lost
America
28 September 1880
A wooden schooner that struck another vessel's scow line.
Anna C. Minch
United States
11 November 1940
A cargo carrier that broke in two and sank during the Armistice Day Blizzard.
SS Anna C. Minch)
Appomattox
United States
2 November 1905
A bulk cargo steamship that ran aground in fog.
SS Appomattox)
Australasia
United States
18 November 1896
A wooden steamship that sank after burning to a total loss.
SS Australasia)
Carl D. Bradley
United States
18 November 1958
A self-unloading Great Lakes freighter caught in a storm on Lake Michigan, it split in two and sank with all except two survivors. Their company did not believe that the ship split in two, since this was the first time there were any witnesses to see this happen. The weakened hull was due to too much sulphur in the metal causing it to become brittle in cold weather.
Chicora
United States
21 January 1895
A steamer that went missing in Lake Michigan-22 people lost
Christina Nilsson
23 October 1884
A schooner that sank in a blizzard off Baileys Harbor.
City of Muskegon
United States
28 October 1919
A paddlewheel steamer that struck a pier in a gale at Muskegon, Michigan, sinking in four minutes.
Continental
1904
A bulk carrier that sank off the coast of Two Rivers.
Daniel Lyons
United States
17 October 1878
A schooner that collided with Kate Gillett off Algoma.
Dreadnaught
September 1886
Schooner which was sunk after collision with the tug Cheney off Pt. Au Gres, Saginaw Bay.
Eber Ward
United States
20 April 1909
A cargo ship that foundered in heavy ice west of Mackinaw City.
Erie L. Hackley
United States
3 October 1903
A cargo liner that sank in a storm near Green Island, Wisconsin. 11 people were killed and 8 rescued.
Erie L. Hackley)
Eastland
United States
24 July 1915
Rolled over in the Chicago River in Chicago, Illinois. A total of 844 passengers and crew were killed––the largest loss of life in a single shipwreck on the Great Lakes.
Fleetwing
United States
26 September 1888
A schooner that ran aground off the coast of Liberty Grove.
Francisco Morazan
Liberia
29 November 1960
Grounded and became a total loss in 1960 off the south shore of South Manitou Island. She ran over the wreck of the bulk freighter Walter L Frost.
Frank O'Connor
United States
3 October 1919
A bulk carrier that caught fire and sank off the coast of North Bay.
Frank O'Connor)
Gallinipper
United States
1851
A schooner that sank in a gale off the coast of Centerville.
General Winfield Scott
United States
7 August 1871
A schooner that ran aground between Hog and Washington islands in Wisconsin.
George W. Morley
5 December 1897
A wooden Great Lakes bulk freighter that caught fire off the shore of Evanston, Illinois.
George W. Morley)
Grape Shot
November 1867
A schooner that was run aground by a gale off the coast of Plum Island.
Green Bay
An unidentified sloop off the coast of Sevastopol, believed to date from 1840 to 1860.
Grace A. Channon
United States
1877
A three-masted wooden schooner that collided with the propeller tug Favourite 12 miles (19 km) south of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Hanover
November 1867
A schooner that struck a shoal near the Strawberry Islands.
Hennepin
18 August 1927
The first self-unloading bulk carrier; sprang a leak off the east coast of Lake Michigan.
Henry Cort
United States
30 November 1934
A whaleback freighter that ran aground at Muskegon, Michigan. One Coast Guardsman killed.
Hippocampus
8 September 1868
A passenger and cargo freighter that sank in a storm near Benton Harbor.
Home
United States
1858
A schooner that collided with the William Fiske off the coast of Centerville.
Iris
United States
1913
A schooner that ran aground off the coast of Washington Island.
Joys
United States
23 December 1898
A steamboat that caught fire at anchor in the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal.
Lac La Belle
United States
14 October 1872
A package freighter that sank after encountering a storm.
Lady Elgin
United States
8 September 1860
A steamship wrecked in Lake Michigan near Chicago following a collision with the schooner Augusta. The greatest loss of life (300) on open water in the Great Lakes.
PS Lady Elgin)
Lakeland
United States
3 December 1924
A steel freighter that sank after she sprang a leak.
SS Lakeland)
Louisiana
United States
8 November 1913
A steamboat that caught fire in a snowstorm off Washington.
Doty
United States
25 October 1898
A steamship lost in a violent storm while towing Olive Jeanette.
Lumberman
6 April 1893
A schooner that sank in a storm off the coast of Oak Creek.
Margaret A. Muir
United States
30 September 1893
A wooden, three-masted schooner that sank in a storm off the coast of Algoma, Wisconsin. All six crew, except the captain's dog, survived. The wreck was discovered on May 12, 2024.
Meridian
United States
October 1873
A schooner that sank off the coast off Sister Bay.
Milwaukee
United States
22 October 1929
A train ferry that sank in a storm off Milwaukee with the loss of all hands. She lies about four miles (6.4 km) northeast of the North Point Lighthouse.
Mount Vernon
10 April 1869
Ran aground in weather off Kewaunee, Wisconsin.
Niagara
United States
23 September 1856
A palace steamer that caught fire and sank off Belgium, Wisconsin.
Northerner
United States
29 November 1868
A schooner that capsized off Port Washington.
Ocean Wave
United States
23 September 1869
A scow schooner that sank in a storm off the coast of Door County.
Pere Marquette 18
United States
9 September 1910
A steel-hulled car ferry that mysteriously flooded, and sank on Lake Michigan. 29 people were lost.
Phoenix
United States
21 November 1847
Wooden steamship that caught fire from over-stoked boilers and burned to the waterline off the coast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, killing at least 190 but perhaps more than 250 of the nearly 300 people on board. Thirty-nine people survived in lifeboats and three were rescued from the water.
Prins Willem V
Netherlands
14 October 1954
Dutch general cargo motor vessel. Sank after colliding with an unlit oil barge in tow.
R. J. Hackett
United States
12 November 1905
The first Great Lakes freighter; caught fire, ran aground and sank in Green Bay.
Hackett (steamer))
Robert C. Pringle
United States
19 June 1922
A wooden tugboat that sank off the coast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin after striking an obstruction.
Towing the barge Cleveco, she encountered a heavy gale and began to founder. She radioed in, but the United States Coast Guard was unable to locate her in the murk before she went down with a loss of 14 people. Owned by Cleveland Tankers, Cleveland. Wreck located by a commercial diver in 1969.
A wooden-hulled paddle steamer that sank after her boilers exploded. An estimated 70 lives were lost. She is the oldest steamboat wreck on the Great Lakes.
The tank barge sank off Pelee Island with a cargo of heavy crude and benzole; considered one of the greatest pollution risks on the Great Lakes. Discovered in 2015.
The passenger ship ran aground in a heavy gale and burned on the southeast shoal of Lake Erie.
Cleveco
Cleveco
Ship
Cleveco
Flag
United States
Sunk date
3 December 1942
Notes
While barge Cleveco was being towed by the tug Admiral, the tug-barge combination encountered a heavy gale. The tug sank first, and then the barge foundered.
The passenger and package freighter grounded off of Long Point.
Henry Roop
Henry Roop
Ship
Henry Roop
Flag
United States
Sunk date
12 October 1843
Notes
A schooner lost in a storm.
H.G. Cleveland
H.G. Cleveland
Ship
H.G. Cleveland
Flag
United States
Sunk date
August 1899
Notes
A three-mast schooner carrying stone that sprang a leak and sank four miles (6.4 km) off of Lorain. Rescued by City of Detroit and the tugboat Thomas Matham, everyone survived.
Hickory Stick
Hickory Stick
Ship
Hickory Stick
Flag
United States
Sunk date
29 November 1958
Notes
The derrick barge broke apart and sank in a storm.
Sank off Long Point in a gale storm. Of a crew of 21, 2 survived 19 died
Idler
Idler
Ship
Idler
Flag
United States
Sunk date
7 July 1900
Notes
Sank 16 miles (26 km) northwest of Cleveland during a gale, with negligence a contributing factor. Six of seven passengers drowned. Raised, towed to Cleveland.
A whaleback steamer that sank off Long Point, in a storm that also took Merida and Marshall F Butters. 25 people were killed with one survivor. Wreckage was located in 1991.
Ran aground off Long Point, in a gale that also took Wocoken.
Lawrence
Lawrence
Ship
Lawrence
Sunk date
1921
Notes
Ran aground off Long Point.
Lake Serpent
Lake Serpent
Ship
Lake Serpent
Sunk date
1829
Notes
The schooner disappeared en route to Cleveland with a load of limestone. Both occupants fell overboard and drowned; their bodies washed ashore just west of Cleveland. The ship was discovered in 2016 and identified in 2019. She is the oldest-confirmed shipwreck in Lake Erie.
Ran aground off Long Point. The same storm claimed British Lion and Elize A. Turner.
Magnetic
Magnetic
Ship
Magnetic
Flag
United States
Sunk date
25 August 1917
Notes
Sank off Long Point.
Margaret Olwill
Margaret Olwill
Ship
Margaret Olwill
Flag
United States
Sunk date
28 June 1899
Notes
Overloaded with limestone, the load shifted during an unexpected June gale and the ship was capsized by waves when the steering chains broke. At least eight people perished. The wreck was discovered in 2017.
Marquette & Bessemer No. 2
Marquette & Bessemer No. 2
Ship
Marquette & Bessemer No. 2
Flag
United States
Sunk date
8 December 1909
Notes
A car ferry that sank in a storm. Thirty-four to thirty-eight people perished.
Marshall F. Butters
Marshall F. Butters
Ship
Marshall F. Butters
Flag
United States
Sunk date
10 October 1916
Notes
A wooden lumber carrier that sank in the same that also took James B. Colgate and Merida.
Ran aground off Long Point in a gale that also took Joseph Paige.
W.R. Hannah
W.R. Hannah
Ship
W.R. Hannah
Flag
United States
Sunk date
14 October 1886
Notes
The schooner sank off of Kellys Island
Young Phoenix
Young Phoenix
Ship
Young Phoenix
Sunk date
1818
Notes
Sank off Long Point, Lake Erie.
Zadock Pratt
Zadock Pratt
Ship
Zadock Pratt
Flag
United States
Sunk date
20 November 1860
Notes
Sank after striking the wreck of the Mount Vernon.
Ranked list
Ship
Flag
Sunk date
Notes
Coordinates
Image
17 Fathom wreck
Lying on a silt bottom at 105 feet (32 m)
Fathom wreck)
Admiral
United States
2 December 1942
Towing the barge Cleveco, she encountered a heavy gale and began to founder. She radioed in, but the United States Coast Guard was unable to locate her in the murk before she went down with a loss of 14 people. Owned by Cleveland Tankers, Cleveland. Wreck located by a commercial diver in 1969.
Admiral)
Adventure
United States
7 October 1903
The sand dredge sank off Kelley's Island following a fire.
Adventure)
Algeria
United States
5 May 1906
The schooner broke apart in a storm.
SS Algeria)
Alva B.
United States
1 November 1917
The tug ran aground off Avon Point in a storm.
Alva B.)
America
United States
5 April 1854
The sidewheel steamer ran aground on Pelee Island.
America)
Amaretta Mosher
United States
23 November 1902
The schooner sank in a storm near Port Clinton.
Andrew B
Angler
1893
A tug that caught fire and sank in Long Point.
Anthony Wayne
United States
28 April 1850
A wooden-hulled paddle steamer that sank after her boilers exploded. An estimated 70 lives were lost. She is the oldest steamboat wreck on the Great Lakes.
PS Anthony Wayne)
Atlantic
United States
20 August 1852
Paddlewheel steamer rammed and sunk off Long Point in the fifth-worst single-vessel disaster to ever occur on the Great Lakes.
Steamship Atlantic)
Arches
United States
11 November 1852
Also known as Oneida, the package freighter sank in a storm off Long Point.
Arches)
Argo
United States
20 October 1937
The tank barge sank off Pelee Island with a cargo of heavy crude and benzole; considered one of the greatest pollution risks on the Great Lakes. Discovered in 2015.
Argo)
Armenia
United States
8 May 1906
The schooner barge sank after springing a leak
Aycliffe Hall
Canada
11 November 1936
Sank off Long Point.
Bay Coal Schooner
mid 1800s
The schooner suddenly sank off Bay Village, Ohio. Wreck believed to be Industry, which sank in 1874.
Bay Coal Schooner)
Bow Cabin
Bow Cabin)
British Lion
4 October 1877
Ran aground off Long Point. The same storm claimed Mediera and Elize A. Turner.
Brown Brothers
Canada
28 October 1959
Sank off Long Point.
Brown Brothers (ship))
Brunswick
United States
12 November 1881
The steamer sank following a collision with the schooner Carlingford
Brunswick)
Canobie
Canada
1 November 1921
The steamer sank in a storm near Erie.
Canobie)
Carlingford
United States
12 November 1881
The schooner sank following a collision with the steamer Brunswick.
Carlingford)
Cascade
United States
24 January 1904
The tug sank after encountering ice.
Cascade)
Case
Canada
5 January 1917
The bulk carrier ran aground on East Sister Island.
Benson
14 October 1893
Sank in a massive gale on her way to Detroit.
Benson)
Lockwood
United States
13 October 1902
Discovered to have sunk below Lake Erie's bottom.
Lockwood)
Cecil J.
Canada
27 May 1944
The tugboat was scuttled after it caught fire.
Cecil J.)
Charger
United States
31 July 1890
The schooner sank following a collision.
Charles B. Packard
United States
16 September 1906
Sank after striking the wreck of the schooner barge Armenia
Charles H. Davis
United States
13 June 1903
The wooden steamer sank after springing a leak near Cleveland
Charles H. Davis)
Charles Foster
The bulk barge sank in a gale near Erie on an unknown date
Charles Foster)
Charles Spademan
Chesapeake
Chicago Board of Trade
United States
11 November 1900
The schooner sank in a storm.
City of Concord
United States
29 September 1906
The steamer sank north of Huron, Ohio in a storm.
City of Dresden
Canada
18 November 1922
Ran aground off Long Point.
City of Venice
United States
4 August 1902
Sank in a collision with the steamer Seguin.
Clarion
United States
8 December 1909
The passenger ship ran aground in a heavy gale and burned on the southeast shoal of Lake Erie.
Cleveco
United States
3 December 1942
While barge Cleveco was being towed by the tug Admiral, the tug-barge combination encountered a heavy gale. The tug sank first, and then the barge foundered.
Cleveco)
Colonel Cook
United States
9 September 1894
The schooner ran aground near Avon Lake.
Colonial
Canada
13 November 1914
The wooden steamer stranded and broke up.
Conemaugh
United States
21 November 1906
The passenger ship ran aground in a gale off Pt Pele.
Cortland
Constitution
United States
20 September 1906
The schooner sank near Kellys Island after springing a leak.
Cracker
Craftsman
United States
3 June 1958
The barge foundered off Avon Point.
Craftsman)
Crete
Crete)
Plummer
United States
21 November 1888
The scow burnt and sank off of Kellys Island.
Crystal
· Lake Ontario
Multi-metric bars
World heat map
Alberta
Alberta
Ship
Alberta
Notes
A lake tug with the appearance of an Alligator tug from the Ottawa River logging days, sank near Bay of Quinte.
Aloha
Aloha
Ship
Aloha
Sunk date
1917
Notes
Sank while in tow of the CW Chamberlain off Nine Mile Point.
American
American
Ship
American
Sunk date
1 October 1894
Notes
The schooner sank with a load of coal off Stony Point.
Annie Falconer
Annie Falconer
Ship
Annie Falconer
Flag
Canada
Sunk date
1904
Notes
A schooner that sank in a storm en route to Picton. One crew member perished of exposure upon reaching Amherst Island.
Ariadne
Ariadne
Ship
Ariadne
Notes
North of North Sandy Pond in shallow water are the remains of Ariadne
Augustus
Augustus
Ship
Augustus
Notes
A schooner that sank en route to be scuttled during the 1937 Portsmouth harbour cleanup.
Bay State
Bay State
Ship
Bay State
Sunk date
4 November 1862
Notes
Screw propeller, sank in storm. Wreck discovered August 2015.
Belle Sheridan
Belle Sheridan
Ship
Belle Sheridan
Sunk date
7 November 1880
Notes
A 123-foot (37 m) two-masted schooner. She was carrying coal en route to Toronto when caught in the Gale of 1880 and after fighting for hours, sank in 12 feet (3.7 m) of water in Wellers Bay. Only one of the crew of seven survived.
China
China
Ship
China
Sunk date
1872
Notes
A small steamer that caught fire and sank off False Duck Island, six months after launching.
City of New York (1863)
City of New York (1863)
Ship
City of New York (1863)
Sunk date
26 November 1921
Notes
The lake freighter sank in a storm off Main Duck Island with the loss of eight lives.
City of Sheboygan
City of Sheboygan
Ship
City of Sheboygan
Sunk date
1925
Notes
Sank in a storm off Amherst Island with the loss of five people.
Comet
Comet
Ship
Comet
Sunk date
1861
Notes
A paddlewheeler that sank in a collision with the schooner Exchange' off Nine Mile Point, with the loss of two lives.
Congercoal
Congercoal
Ship
Congercoal
Sunk date
5 November 1917
Notes
Inside Little Sodus Bay along Fair Haven Beach State Park's western shoreline. Just off the parking lot and south of the boat launch.
Cormorant
Cormorant
Ship
Cormorant
Notes
Northwest of Mary Kay and northeast of David W. Mills in 165 feet (50 m) of water
Cornwall
Cornwall
Ship
Cornwall
Sunk date
1931
Notes
A paddlewheeler scuttled in the Amherst Island graveyard.
Cortez
Cortez
Ship
Cortez
Notes
Directly off of Southwick Beach State Park.
Dagger-board
Dagger-board
Ship
Dagger-board
Notes
A schooner near Galloo Island.
David W. Mills
David W. Mills
Ship
David W. Mills
Sunk date
8 November 1919
Notes
The wooden lake freighter ran aground on a reef and was broken apart by waves over time.
Dominion
Dominion
Ship
Dominion
Dredge Islander
Dredge Islander
Ship
Dredge Islander
Notes
A dredge scuttled in the Snake Island graveyard after harbour cleanup in the 1930s.
Dupont Salvage Scow
Dupont Salvage Scow
Ship
Dupont Salvage Scow
Notes
Scuttled near Dupont Point, perhaps after the Elevator Bay cleanup.
Effie Mae
Effie Mae
Ship
Effie Mae
Sunk date
1993
Notes
A charter boat that was scuttled beside Aloha for a diving attraction
Ellsworth
Ellsworth
Ship
Ellsworth
Sunk date
9 July 1877
Notes
The steamer caught fire and burned off Stony Point.
Empress
Empress
Ship
Empress
Notes
A steamer scuttled in the Amherst Island Graveyard. Real name unknown.
Etta Belle
Etta Belle
Ship
Etta Belle
Sunk date
9 March 1873
Notes
Directly outside of Sodus Bay harbor on the eastern side of the harbor entrance in shallow water.
Frontenac
Frontenac
Ship
Frontenac
Notes
Tug.
George A. Marsh
George A. Marsh
Ship
George A. Marsh
Flag
Canada
Sunk date
17 August 1917
Notes
A schooner that was sunk during a heavy gale off Pigeon Island. Twelve of fourteen crew and passengers died.
George T Davie
George T Davie
Ship
George T Davie
Notes
Barge.
Glendora
Glendora
Ship
Glendora
Notes
A steamer that was scuttled in the Amherst Island Graveyard. Real name unknown.
USS Hamilton
USS Hamilton
Ship
USS Hamilton
Flag
United States Navy
Sunk date
8 August 1813
Notes
A US Navy schooner that sank in a squall off Fourteen Mile Creek, Oakville.
Hartford
Hartford
Ship
Hartford
Notes
Near North Sandy Pond, part of the ship has also washed ashore on the North Sandy Pond Barrier Bar.
H. B.
H. B.
Ship
H. B.
Notes
A schooner barge in eastern Lake Ontario 20 miles (32 km) off the Oswego shoreline
Henry Roney
Henry Roney
Ship
Henry Roney
Sunk date
24 October 1879
Notes
Directly in front of Webster, New York in 70 feet (21 m) of water.
A wooden warship that served in the War of 1812. The ship was decommissioned and her hull was used as a storage facility by Morton's Brewery in Kingston. In January 1832, the hull was sold to Robert Drummond for £25. Later, it was sunk close to shore, and is now a popular diving attraction.
Coordinates
44°13′14″N 76°30′18″W / 44.22056°N 76.50500°W / 44.22056; -76.50500 (HMS St Lawrence (1814))
Sank during a violent storm en route from Oswego to Niagara. Between Ontario on the Lake and Pultneyville in front of the submerged pipeline in 32 feet (9.8 m) of water.
A freshwater sloop of war that served in the War of 1812. She was ordered broken up and sold in 1831, and is presumed to have rotted and sunk at Kingston. The wreck, identified as HMS Montreal by Parks Canada in 2006, lies near the Royal Military College of Canada.
Car ferry scuttled to provide scuba attraction off Dawson's Point, Wolfe Island
Ranked list
Ship
Flag
Sunk date
Notes
Coordinates
Image
Alberta
A lake tug with the appearance of an Alligator tug from the Ottawa River logging days, sank near Bay of Quinte.
Aloha
1917
Sank while in tow of the CW Chamberlain off Nine Mile Point.
American
1 October 1894
The schooner sank with a load of coal off Stony Point.
Annie Falconer
Canada
1904
A schooner that sank in a storm en route to Picton. One crew member perished of exposure upon reaching Amherst Island.
Ariadne
North of North Sandy Pond in shallow water are the remains of Ariadne
Augustus
A schooner that sank en route to be scuttled during the 1937 Portsmouth harbour cleanup.
Bay State
4 November 1862
Screw propeller, sank in storm. Wreck discovered August 2015.
Belle Sheridan
7 November 1880
A 123-foot (37 m) two-masted schooner. She was carrying coal en route to Toronto when caught in the Gale of 1880 and after fighting for hours, sank in 12 feet (3.7 m) of water in Wellers Bay. Only one of the crew of seven survived.
China
1872
A small steamer that caught fire and sank off False Duck Island, six months after launching.
City of New York (1863)
26 November 1921
The lake freighter sank in a storm off Main Duck Island with the loss of eight lives.
City of Sheboygan
1925
Sank in a storm off Amherst Island with the loss of five people.
Comet
1861
A paddlewheeler that sank in a collision with the schooner Exchange' off Nine Mile Point, with the loss of two lives.
Congercoal
5 November 1917
Inside Little Sodus Bay along Fair Haven Beach State Park's western shoreline. Just off the parking lot and south of the boat launch.
Cormorant
Northwest of Mary Kay and northeast of David W. Mills in 165 feet (50 m) of water
Cornwall
1931
A paddlewheeler scuttled in the Amherst Island graveyard.
Cortez
Directly off of Southwick Beach State Park.
Dagger-board
A schooner near Galloo Island.
David W. Mills
8 November 1919
The wooden lake freighter ran aground on a reef and was broken apart by waves over time.
Dominion
Dredge Islander
A dredge scuttled in the Snake Island graveyard after harbour cleanup in the 1930s.
Dupont Salvage Scow
Scuttled near Dupont Point, perhaps after the Elevator Bay cleanup.
Effie Mae
1993
A charter boat that was scuttled beside Aloha for a diving attraction
Ellsworth
9 July 1877
The steamer caught fire and burned off Stony Point.
Empress
A steamer scuttled in the Amherst Island Graveyard. Real name unknown.
Etta Belle
9 March 1873
Directly outside of Sodus Bay harbor on the eastern side of the harbor entrance in shallow water.
Frontenac
Tug.
George A. Marsh
Canada
17 August 1917
A schooner that was sunk during a heavy gale off Pigeon Island. Twelve of fourteen crew and passengers died.
George T Davie
Barge.
Glendora
A steamer that was scuttled in the Amherst Island Graveyard. Real name unknown.
USS Hamilton
United States Navy
8 August 1813
A US Navy schooner that sank in a squall off Fourteen Mile Creek, Oakville.
Hartford
Near North Sandy Pond, part of the ship has also washed ashore on the North Sandy Pond Barrier Bar.
H. B.
A schooner barge in eastern Lake Ontario 20 miles (32 km) off the Oswego shoreline
Henry Roney
24 October 1879
Directly in front of Webster, New York in 70 feet (21 m) of water.
Henry Roney)
Hiawatha
A schooner barge in 95 feet (29 m) of water; wreck discovered in September 2017.
Hilda
Wrecker.
House boat
Located in Chaumont Bay
James H. Shrigley
A coal barge on Wautoma Shoals in shallow water.
Langmuir
7 October 1875
The schooner sank with a load of Lumber off Gallo Island.
Katie Eccles
Ran aground near Kingston on Lake Ontario.
KPH Wreck
A flat barge 30 meters (98 ft) long that sank near Kingston Psychiatric Hospital.
Laura Grace
1918
A steamer directly in front of Long Pond Outlet in Greece, New York.
Londonderry
Wrecker.
Maple Glen
Steamer.
Marine Museum 2
Scow.
Mark One
Tug.
Mary Kay
In 54 feet (16 m) of water just northeast of Snake Creek.
Menominee
Northeastern Lake Ontario off Galloo Island.
Milan
10 November 1849
A schooner directly in front of Oak Orchard, New York in deep water.
Monkey Wrench
A schooner that was scuttled in the Amherst Island Graveyard. Real name unknown.
Largest shipwrecks on the Great Lakes· Largest wrecks
Multi-metric bars
World heat map
SS Edmund Fitzgerald
SS Edmund Fitzgerald
Ship
SS Edmund Fitzgerald
In service
24 September 1958
End of service
10 November 1975
Length (ft)
729
Vessel type
Bulk carrier
Launched
7 June 1958
Final disposition
Sank on Lake Superior
Notes
The Edmund Fitzgerald was a 729-foot-long (222 m) freighter that sank of an unknown cause in a storm on Lake Superior. The Fitzgerald is the largest ship to sink on the lakes.
The Carl D. Bradley was a Great Lakes freighter that had a 31-year career that suddenly ended in 1958 when she broke in two in a severe November storm on Lake Michigan.
SS Daniel J. Morrell
SS Daniel J. Morrell
Ship
SS Daniel J. Morrell
In service
24 September 1906
End of service
29 November 1966
Length (ft)
603
Vessel type
Lake freighter
Launched
22 August 1906
Final disposition
Sank on Lake Huron
Notes
The Daniel J. Morrell was a Great Lakes bulk carrier that sank with only one survivor; 26-year-old watchman Dennis Hale of Ashtabula, Ohio.
Coordinates
43°51′00″N 82°35′24″W / 43.850°N 82.590°W / 43.850; -82.590 (SS Daniel J. Morrell)
SS William C Moreland
SS William C Moreland
Ship
SS William C Moreland
In service
1 September 1910
End of service
18 October 1910
Length (ft)
600
Vessel type
Lake freighter
Launched
27 July 1910
Final disposition
Ran aground on Sawtooth Reef
Notes
The William C. Moreland was a Great Lakes bulk carrier that ran aground due to poor visibility on Sawtooth Reef, Lake Superior.
SS Cedarville
SS Cedarville
Ship
SS Cedarville
In service
1927
End of service
7 May 1965
Length (ft)
588.3
Vessel type
Self-unloading Bulk carrier
Launched
9 April 1927
Final disposition
Sank in the Straits of Mackinac
Notes
The Cedarville was a self-unloading freighter that sank in the Straits of Mackinac after being rammed by the M/V Topdalsfjord. Ten of the crew drowned.
The Henry B. Smith was an American bulk freighter that foundered in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913 near Marquette, Michigan. Her wreck was discovered in 2013 by a team of divers led by Jerry Eliason.
Coordinates
46°54′50″N 87°19′59″W / 46.914°N 87.333°W / 46.914; -87.333 (SS Henry B. Smith)
SS Emperor
SS Emperor
Ship
SS Emperor
In service
3 May 1911
End of service
4 June 1947
Length (ft)
525
Vessel type
Lake freighter
Launched
17 December 1910
Final disposition
Sank after striking the north side of Canoe Rocks
Notes
The Emperor was a Canadian freighter owned by Canada Steamship Lines Ltd. that sank after striking the north side of Canoe Rocks near Isle Royale.
Capsized on Lake Huron in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913
Notes
The Isaac M. Scott was an American bulk carrier that sank on Lake Huron in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913. She was discovered in 1976, laying upside down, and half-buried in mud under 180 feet (55 m) of water.
Coordinates
45°03′N 83°02′W / 45.050°N 83.033°W / 45.050; -83.033 (SS Isaac M. Scott)
SS Charles S. Price
SS Charles S. Price
Ship
SS Charles S. Price
In service
1910
End of service
9 November 1913
Length (ft)
504
Vessel type
Lake freighter
Launched
1910
Final disposition
Foundered in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913
Notes
Charles S. Price capsized on Lake Huron in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913. She was discovered floating upside down near Port Huron.
Ranked list
Ship
In service
End of service
Length (ft)
Vessel type
Launched
Final disposition
Notes
Coordinates
SS Edmund Fitzgerald
24 September 1958
10 November 1975
729
Bulk carrier
7 June 1958
Sank on Lake Superior
The Edmund Fitzgerald was a 729-foot-long (222 m) freighter that sank of an unknown cause in a storm on Lake Superior. The Fitzgerald is the largest ship to sink on the lakes.
SS Edmund Fitzgerald)
SS Carl D. Bradley
28 July 1927
18 November 1958
639
Self-unloading Bulk carrier
9 April 1927
Broke in two in a severe storm on Lake Michigan
The Carl D. Bradley was a Great Lakes freighter that had a 31-year career that suddenly ended in 1958 when she broke in two in a severe November storm on Lake Michigan.
SS Daniel J. Morrell
24 September 1906
29 November 1966
603
Lake freighter
22 August 1906
Sank on Lake Huron
The Daniel J. Morrell was a Great Lakes bulk carrier that sank with only one survivor; 26-year-old watchman Dennis Hale of Ashtabula, Ohio.
SS Daniel J. Morrell)
SS William C Moreland
1 September 1910
18 October 1910
600
Lake freighter
27 July 1910
Ran aground on Sawtooth Reef
The William C. Moreland was a Great Lakes bulk carrier that ran aground due to poor visibility on Sawtooth Reef, Lake Superior.
SS Cedarville
1927
7 May 1965
588.3
Self-unloading Bulk carrier
9 April 1927
Sank in the Straits of Mackinac
The Cedarville was a self-unloading freighter that sank in the Straits of Mackinac after being rammed by the M/V Topdalsfjord. Ten of the crew drowned.
SS Cedarville)
SS Chester A. Congdon
1907
6 November 1918
552
Lake freighter
29 August 1907
Ran aground on Canoe Rocks
The Chester A. Congdon was a steel-hulled bulk carrier that stranded in heavy fog on Canoe Rocks, near Isle Royale.
Chester A. Congdon (ship))
SS D.R. Hanna
1906
16 May 1919
552
Lake freighter
20 October 1906
Sank in a collision
The D.R. Hanna was a steel-hulled freighter that sank on 16 May 1919 in a collision with the Quincy A. Shaw north of Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron.
SS James C. Carruthers
1913
9 November 1913
550
Lake freighter
22 May 1913
Foundered on Lake Huron, in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913
The James C. Carruthers was a 550-foot-long (170 m) Canadian freighter that foundered in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913.
SS James Carruthers)
SS Henry B. Smith
1906
10 November 1913
545
Lake freighter
2 May 1906
Sank in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913
The Henry B. Smith was an American bulk freighter that foundered in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913 near Marquette, Michigan. Her wreck was discovered in 2013 by a team of divers led by Jerry Eliason.
SS Henry B. Smith)
SS Emperor
3 May 1911
4 June 1947
525
Lake freighter
17 December 1910
Sank after striking the north side of Canoe Rocks
The Emperor was a Canadian freighter owned by Canada Steamship Lines Ltd. that sank after striking the north side of Canoe Rocks near Isle Royale.
SS Emperor)
SS Isaac M. Scott
12 July 1909
11 November 1913
504
Lake freighter
2 July 1909
Capsized on Lake Huron in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913
The Isaac M. Scott was an American bulk carrier that sank on Lake Huron in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913. She was discovered in 1976, laying upside down, and half-buried in mud under 180 feet (55 m) of water.
SS Isaac M. Scott)
SS Charles S. Price
1910
9 November 1913
504
Lake freighter
1910
Foundered in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913
Charles S. Price capsized on Lake Huron in the Great Lakes Storm of 1913. She was discovered floating upside down near Port Huron.
