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Samuel Mather
1887—1891
Looking aft at the base of the standing middle mast which rises to within 90 feet from the surface.
Photo by Robert Underhill
www.greatlakesunderwater.com |
Whitefish Point reaches into Lake Superior at the Southeast end of the Lake, providing the geographic separation between the “Greatest Lake”, Whitefish Bay and the entrance to the Soo Locks. The locks connect Lake Superior with the Saint Mary’s River and the lower Lakes. All traffic must pass through the bay and around Whitefish Point before entering or leaving Lake Superior. The “Point” provides a natural shelter for ships during late November gales sweeping across the big lake from the Northwest. The last major shipwreck in the Great Lakes, the Edmund Fitzgerald in 1975, was making for the shelter of Whitefish Bay when it foundered about 17 miles short of Whitefish Point. High traffic, unpredictable fog, early spring and late fall storms have left the area with the highest concentration of shipwrecks in Lake Superior. Because many of the wrecks were the result of collisions and lie under the shipping lanes, it is advisable to keep a close watch for commercial traffic when diving in this area.
The cold clear waters in this area have left the wrecks in excellent condition. They range from an early schooner, Niagara, to wood steam barges, Vienna, John Osborne, Samuel Mather, and modern steel Lake freighters Superior City and John B. Cowle. Unlike the lower Lakes, zebra mussels have yet to inhabit the Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve. This is one of the last places to experience Great Lakes shipwreck diving as the original generation of divers did.
Most of the wrecks lie below the sport diving depth of 130 feet. Some, such as the John Osborne at 165 feet are within the range of deep air; while others, like the Superior City at 270 feet require mixed gas.
Heavy technical gear with dry suits and argon inflation systems are considered normal for diving in this deep cold area of the Lakes. A few the wrecks can be dove with a single and wet suit, especially in the later summer months of August and September when prevailing western winds drive the warm surface water from the Big Lake into Whitefish Bay. The Miztec and Myron, both in 45 feet of water, are good wreck dives even for beginners. Intermediate divers can explore the 249-foot steamer Panther that sank after a collision with another vessel in 1916. A more modern wreck is that of the wooden barge Sadie Thompson which is said to have broken free and sank during the construction of the Harbor of Refuge one mile south of the Point.
Divers returning from exploring the shipwrecks in this preserve can make the trip to the restored lighthouse and museum at the tip of Whitefish Point. The museum has an exhibit showing artifacts and a scale model from every wreck in the preserve. They also display the ship’s bell from the last major shipwreck in the Lakes, the Edmund Fitzgerald. Later, stories can be swapped with dive buddies at the Yukon Inn, the last Tamarack bar in Michigan.
Divers using their own boats will find launches at Whitefish Point, Little Lake Harbor, Tahquamenon Rivermouth, Brimley State Park, and Bay Mills.
Divers and nondivers alike will enjoy a visit to this area because of the wilderness scenery, expansive beaches, Tahquamenon Falls State Park, and the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum located at the tip of the point. The museum offers divers an opportunity to learn about the rich maritime heritage of the region.
A note about the charts included in each Preserve reference:
The coordinates are presumed to be accurate but we place no guarantee. Water depths may be off due to water level changes. Always evaluate weather conditions and divers abilities before diving any wreck. We are not recommending any of these dive destinations. We are only publishing information. Caution: Some wrecks may be out of the sport diving depth limit. Diving is a potentially dangerous activity. Use common sense and dive within your training and skill level.
