Grecian Shipwreck Site | |
 Grecian underway | |
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| Location | Lake Huron[2] |
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| Nearest city | Alpena, Michigan |
| Coordinates | 44°58′7″N83°12′3″W / 44.96861°N 83.20083°W /44.96861; -83.20083 |
| NRHP reference No. | 100001835[1] |
| Added to NRHP | February 8, 2018 |
Grecian was a steelbulk freighter built in 1891 byGlobe Iron Works Company atCleveland, Ohio.[3] She was asister ship toNorman, also wrecked nearby.[4] The ship was 296 feet (90 m) long, with abeam of 40 feet (12 m) and agross register tonnage of 2,348 tons.[3]
Grecian was built to carryiron ore for the Chapin Iron Mining Company, and ran between the company's docks inEscanaba, Michigan andCleveland, Ohio.[5] In 1896 made 35 trips through theGreat Lakes, carrying 93,000 tons of iron ore.[6] On June 7, 1906 the unladenGrecian struck a rock and sank in shallow water nearDe Tour Village in theSt. Mary's River. The ship was refloated, and taken in tow by the steamerSir Henry Bessemer, with the plan to take it toDetroit, Michigan for repairs. However, on June 15, it unexpectedly sank near Thunder Bay Island. The crew escaped inlifeboats. Salvage was attempted 1909 by the Staud Canalon Salvage Company, but to no avail.[3]
The wreck ofGrecian sits upright in 100 feet (30 m) of water.[6] The bow and stern lie intact, with a collapsed midships portion. The engine, boiler, sections of the propeller, and the deck machinery all remain in place and are visible. There is also a steelcanalon (a salvage lifting device) from the 1909 salvage attempt, which lies off the ship's stern.[3] Most of movable artifacts previously aboard the ship have been taken by salvagers and recreational divers.[5]
Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in 1906 | |
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| Shipwrecks |
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| Other incidents |
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