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  • Events
    • First Annual Drake DePaul #EPIC 5K
    • Annual Lynn & Laura Ice Fishing Tournament
    • Holiday Giving Tree
    • Holiday Lighting Contest
    • Jeep the Mac 2025 >
      • JTM-Schedule
    • SxS Raffle
    • Drummond Island Golf Classic
    • Fall Fest 2024
  • Discover
    • Beaches
    • Eco-based Adventure >
      • Biking
      • Bird Watching
      • Camping
      • Hiking
      • Water Trails >
        • DI Heritage Water Trail
        • Island Explorer H2O Trail
    • Fishing
    • Geocaching
    • Golf >
      • THE ROCK
      • Township Golf Course
      • DI Golf Classic
      • Fling Golf
    • Hunting
    • Off-Roading >
      • ATV & ORV Map
      • ATV and ORV Rentals
      • Drummond Island Off-road Club
      • Drummond Island Adventure Tours
      • Roam Responsibly
    • Parks and Preserves
    • Water Sports
    • Winter Recreation >
      • Snowmobile Trails
      • Snowmobile Trail Report
    • Photography
  • Points of Interest
    • Alvar
    • Corned Beef Junction
    • DeTour Reef Light
    • Dolomite
    • Fossil Ledges
    • Drummond Island Historical Museum
    • Mushrooming
    • Puddingstones
    • Shipping Lanes
    • Unique Land Features >
      • Rare Flora and Fauna
    • Shipwrecks >
      • Alice C
      • Steamer Two Myrtles
      • Steamer Superior
      • Steamer John W Cullen
      • Barge Sainte Marie
      • Tug General
      • George H Ely
      • Barque Monarch
      • Schooner Barge Delaware
      • Steamer JC Ford
      • EJ Laway Jr
      • The Mystery Barge
      • Steamer Agnes W
      • Sunken Crane
      • Schooner John B Merrill
      • Tug Silver Spray
      • Schooner Barge Troy
  • Dining
  • Shopping
  • Lodging
    • Resorts and Cottages
    • Hotels
    • Vacation Rentals and Condos
    • Campgrounds
    • Marina-Dockside Lodging
    • Winter Lodging
  • Services
  • About
    • Getting Here >
      • Drummond Island Airport
      • Drummond Island Ferry
      • Marinas
      • Ice Bridge to/from Canada
    • Drummond Island Webcams
    • Community
    • DITA Board & Staff
    • Drummond Island Magazine
    • Projects
    • Recreation Plan
    • Contact

Barge SAINTE MARIE

History
The wood car ferry SAINTE MARIE was built at Wyandotte, MI in 1893 by the Detroit Dry Dock Co. for the Mackinac Transportation Co. Her dimensions were: length, 288 feet; beam, 53 feet; hull depth, 19.6 feet; and gross tonnage, 1357 tons.   She was used as a passenger and rail car ferry, running between Mackinaw City and St. Ignace from 1893 until 1912. In 1913, she was replaced by a new steel car ferry of the same name.

It may be appropriate, at this point, to remind the reader that prior to 1957, the Mackinac Bridge did not exist and all travel across the straits of Mackinac was done by ferry boats.]   After being retired from service by the Mackinac Transportaion Co., the vessel was purchased by T. L. Durocher of DeTour, MI and cut down for use as a barge as part of Mr. Durocher’s salvage, dock and dredge business. When the Sainte Marie’s useful life as a barge was over (circa 1927), Mr. Durocher abandoned the vessel alongside his property in DeTour Village, where it remains to this day.

​Wreck Description: 
The SAINTE MARIE wreck is one of the more prominent features of the DeTour shoreline. One who is traveling along the western shore of DeTour passage within the limits of DeTour Village will find it nearly impossible to avoid seeing this wreck, which projects several feet above the waterline. Many DeTour citizens view it as the community’s “ultimate eyesore.” This wreck is of little interest to divers, as only a small portion of it lies below the surface. In fact, it is advisable to avoid getting too close to this wreck, due to its age and condition. The deteriorating wreckage is a potential hazard. 

Wreck Location: 
The wreck lies in 0 to 10 feet of water south of DeTour and approximately 700 feet north of Frying Pan Island. Much of the wreck can be seen above the surface. It is accessible from shore at a nearby park in DeTour. Lat/Long Coordinates are:

Lat/Long Coordinates:
Latitude:45º 59.351’ North
Longitude:83º 53.792’ West

Depth: The wreck lies in 0 to 10 feet of water.
Description
Vessel Information
​Name:
SAINTE MARIE
​Rig:
​Barge (Formerly Rail Car Ferry)
​Home Port:
​DeTour, MI
​Official Number:
​116574
​Length:
​288 Feet
​Gross Tons:
​1357
​Hull Material:
​Wood
​Year Built:
​1893
​Builder:
​Detroit Dry Dock Co.
​Place Built:
​Wyandotte, MI
​Date of Loss:
​1928
​Cause of Loss:
​Abandonment
​Lives Lost:
​None
​Cargo:
​Not Applicable
​Bound From/To:
​Not Applicable
​Depth:
​0-10 Feet
Picture
Map courtesy of Michigan Underwater Preserve Council.​
© 2009 Mike Spears and the Drummond Island Tourism Association

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Drummond Island Tourism Association
P. O. Box 200
34974 S. Townline Road
Drummond Island, MI 49726

Phone: 906-493-5245
Email: [email protected]

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