Straits of Mackinac Shipwrecks

The Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve has 20 discovered shipwrecks within its 148 square miles. The entire Straits area has 41 discovered wrecks and another 43 are known to be in the area but as of yet not discovered, according to Charles and Jeri Feltner that have written a comprehensive book on the subject. Stranding caused 35 disasters, collision caused 14 sinkings, foundering another eight, ice damage another seven, and six were abandoned with heavy weather damage.

Of the 84 total wrecks, 62% are wooden schooners and 36 % are freighters with engines, with hulls of wood or steel. Most were built before 1870 and most went down before 1900. The highest concentration of wrecks is west of the bridge because that was the most dangerous side for shipping. Of the found wrecks, 10 are intact, 6 mostly intact, 6 broken up and 19 are a pile of boards. Sixty three lives were lost over the years as the lake boats traversed one of the busiest passages in the world.


On May 7, 1965 the 588 foot Cedarville was rammed by the Norwegian freighter Topdalsfjord while in dense fog. The mortal wound caused tremendous amounts of water to pour into Hold No 2, which like all the others was already full of crushed limestone.	The Cedarville tried to make it to shallow water but filled and rolled over before making it. Ten crewmen were lost either below decks or in the icy water of the Straits. Today the ship is a major dive attraction, being fully intact.


The schooner St Andrew was very similar to the ship above when on the night of June 16, 1878 the schooner Peshtigo rammed it amidships. Both ships were heavily damaged and soon sunk in the Straits, losing two crew from the Peshtigo.	Many years later the St Andrew was identified and has become a popular dive attraction. Her nearly intact bow, huge windlass and wooden construction is typical for her period. The Peshtigo however, has never been found.

Name	Rig	Length	Lost	Cause	Depth

St. Andrew	Schooner	135 feet	1878	Collision	61 feet
Barge A	Barge	60	?	?	43
Barnum, W. H.	Freighter	218	1894	Foundered	74
Bentley, J. R.	Schooner	178	1878	Foundered	150
Cayuga	Freighter	290	1895	Collision	98
Cedarville	Freighter	588	1965	Collision	105
Clay, Henry	Brig	87	1850	Stranded	10
Ellsworth, Col.	Schooner	137	1896	Collision	84
Maitland	Bark	133	1871	Collision	84
Minneapolis	Freighter	226	1894	Ice Damage	124
Northwest	Schooner	223	1898	Ice Damage	73
Sandusky	Brig	110	1856	Foundered	83
Stalker, M.	Schooner	135	1886	Collision	85
Uganda	Freighter	291	1913	Ice Damage	207
Ward, Eber	Freighter	213	1909	Ice Damage	140
Winslow, R.	Schooner	216	1898	Foundered	32

Drawing of Cedarville courtesy of William Dezur Copyright © 1999.
Data from Shipwrecks of the Straits of Mackinac by C. E. Feltner and J B. Feltner, 1991, Seajay Publications, Dearborn, Michigan.

A Webfoot Page by MSU Sea Grant Extension, Northeast District, and MSUE, Iosco Co. Write Walter Hoagman with comments or suggestions. We need photos of other ships, birds, plants, etc. please help.

Additional links to Maritime History, Birds, Plants, Islands, Wetlands, Museums and other Great Lakes Info.