There are reported to be over 100 shipwrecks in the Thunder Bay area. Many of these are only debris fields today, but a great many are fully intact. Approximate locations are given below. GPS or Loran coordinates are provided with the specific ship page.

• Black Type = Confirmed Ship, Location Known.
• Blue Type = Confirmed Ship with Link to Web Page on that Ship.
• Red Type = Lost in area, Exact Location Unknown.

About 20 ships on the Red List have been found, but a positive ID has not been made yet.

A note on terminology: During the early part of the 19th Century, steam engines were perfected and installed in shallow draft river boats. These paddlewheelers became known as steam boats and were of wood construction. Later the side wheel form of propulsion was developed and the boats could be of greater draft, resulting in more seaworthiness. Early Lake vessels were of this design until the propeller replaced the sidewheels. The engines were still steam however, so the name Steamer was retained by some authors, while others referred to them as Propellers to distinguish them from sidewheel steamers. By this time the days of sail were practically over and many schooners were striped of their masts and made into barges, towed by tugs or steamers.

Soon, all large Lake boats were propeller driven and the term Freighter became common. These came in various shapes and sizes until the classical Great Lakes shape evolved with the pilot house in the front and all machinery, crew quarters and galley in the rear. These became know as oreboats, although they could handle grain, coal, stone or other bulk cargo. They were still steamers however until the development in the early 20th Century of diesel engines large enough to drive ships. The diesel driven boats really couldn't be called steamers anymore, but Steamer became the colloquialism of any lake freighter or oreboat. All boats, of any length, whatever the engine type, are said to be steaming along while under way.

So, to keep the table below simple, all power boats, whether for freight or any mixed cargo, are called Steamers. Schooners, Barks and Brigs are sail boats. Barges are specialized scows built for that purpose, or cut down from sail boats. Tugs are small harbor craft for towing.

St.= Steel, Wd.=Wood, Bg.=Barge, Sw=Sidewheeler, length is given in feet. TBI = Thunder Bay Island. Nearly all the steamers, wood or steel were propeller driven. Today the term Freighter is the common term for the lake boats.
 

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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. Copyright © 2000 Michigan State University