Dive Log 2017

Under the Thumb!

The summer of 2017 found Cindy Lynch, Mike Lynch and Chris Roth teaming up to explore some of the Thumb Areas previously discovered but mostly forgotten shipwrecks. Join the trip, along with some of their dive friends, as they re-explore shipwrecks such as the Emma Nielson, E.P. Dorr, Hunter Savidge, James W. Curran & John A. McPhail and a few others, when they reflect upon "Dive Log 2017: Under The Thumb".

The quagga mussel explosion has drastically changed the appearance of these rarely dove wrecks, but has brought with them amazing visibility, giving a whole new perspective of these incredible treasures!

Twin Car Ferries (James W. Curran & John A. McPhail)
The James W Curran was launched June 14, 1947 and the John A McPhail was launched June 4, 1955. Both vessels crossed the St. Mary’s River between the twin cities of Sault Ste. Marie in Michigan and Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario year-round for the International Transit Company. Both vessels were 115 feet long, 36 feet wide and could carry eighteen cars and 450 passengers each. Ownership moved to the Ontario Department of Highways in 1961. Both vessels were laid up when the new International Bridge connecting the two cities opened October 30, 1962.

Under sunny skies with a partial cloud cover, the Canadian Dredge and Dock Company tug GW Rogers left Sault Ste. Marie at 6:40 am Friday, May 8, 1964, with two empty ferries in tow. Owned now by the Ontario Department of Highways, the ferries James W Curran and sister ship John A McPhail were on their way to Kingston. Once there, the vessels would wait until new docks and roads were complete for a new Wolfe Island to Kingston ferry run. Unfortunately, history would tell us, they would never make their final destination.

Emma Nielson
The Emma Nielson was built in 1883 at Manitowoc, WI by Hanson & Scove. She was a wooden 3 masted schooner that was 74.58 feet long. On June 26th, 1911 the Nielson was upbound in fog when all of a sudden the steamer Wyandotte appeared dead ahead. The Nielson slammed into the side of the Wyandotte and crushed its wooden bow and immediately started filling with water. The captain and crew were able to escape the sinking vessel in the yawl boat. The wreck lies upright in about 190 feet of water.

Metropole
The Metropole is one of the most intact steamers found in the Great Lakes. The Metropole was built in 1883 in Huron OH as the Sakie Shepard. It was lengthened in 1901 after a fire destroyed the stern of vessel. She was then named the Metropole. The Metropole sank in August of 1903 in relatively calm weather 12 miles north of Port Austin. Her cargo of barrel staves kept the vessel afloat for several hours before sinking very slowly to the floor of Lake Huron.

Hunter Savidge
The Hunter Savidge was a 117 foot long 2 masted schooner built in Grand Haven, MI in 1879. On August 20th, 1899 she capsized and foundered in a squall on Lake Huron. All 5 crew and 10 passengers were lost in the incident. Today the Hunter Savidge lies broken up on the bottom of Lake Huron.

E.P. Dorr
The E.P. Dorr was a wooded tugboat that was built in 1855 in Buffalo, NY. The Dorr was lost on June 28th,, 1856 when it collided with the Oliver Cromwell. At the time of its loss, it was carrying salvage parts from other ships including steam pumps, anchors, windlass's, and tools. Many of these parts not scatter both the shipwreck and the area around the shipwreck. The Dorr sits upright on the lake bottom and is intact.

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Port Austin, MI 48467

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1265 Mitchell Lake Road
Attica, MI 48412

Contacts

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Phone: (810) 214-0082

Links

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