Grecian Shipwreck Site
Grecian underway
SS Grecian is located in Michigan
SS Grecian
SS Grecian is located in the United States
SS Grecian
LocationLake Huron[1]
Nearest cityAlpena, Michigan
Coordinates44°58′7″N 83°12′3″W / 44.96861°N 83.20083°W / 44.96861; -83.20083
NRHP reference No.100001835[2]
Added to NRHPFebruary 8, 2018

Grecian was a steel bulk freighter built in 1891 by Globe Iron Works at Cleveland, Ohio.[3] She was a sister ship to Norman, also wrecked nearby.[4] The ship was 296 feet (90 m) long, with a beam of 40 feet (12 m) and a gross register tonnage of 2,348 tons.[3]

Grecian in shallower water with boiler deckhouse gone

History

Grecian was built to carry iron ore for the Chapin Iron Mining Company, and ran between the company's docks in Escanaba, Michigan and Cleveland, Ohio.[5] In 1896 made 35 trips through the Great Lakes, carrying 93,000 tons of iron ore.[6] On June 7, 1906 the unladen Grecian struck a rock and sank in shallow water near De Tour Village in the St. Mary's River. The ship was refloated, and taken in tow by the steamer Sir Henry Bessemer, with the plan to take it to Detroit, Michigan for repairs. However, on June 15, it unexpectedly sank near Thunder Bay Island. The crew escaped in lifeboats. Salvage was attempted 1909 by the Staud Canalon Salvage Company, but to no avail.[3]

The wreck

The wreck of Grecian sits upright in 100 feet (30 m) of water.[6] It features an intact 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 steel canalon (a salvage lifting device) from the 1909 salvage attempt lies off the ship's stern.[3] Most of movable artifacts once aboard the ship have been taken by salvagers and recreational divers.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Grecian coordinates from: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (February 13, 2018), Grecian, retrieved February 14, 2018.
  2. ↑ "National Register of Historic Places Program: Weekly List". National Park Service. February 9, 2018. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
  3. 1 2 3 4 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (February 13, 2018), Grecian, retrieved February 14, 2018.
  4. ↑ Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (February 2013), Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: CONDITION REPORT 2013 (PDF)
  5. 1 2 Philip Alexander Hartmeyer (January 11, 2016), National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: NORMAN Shipwreck Site (PDF)
  6. 1 2 "Grecian Wreck". Thunder Bay Wrecks. Retrieved February 14, 2018.
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