The Mystery Barge

History
The identity and history of the Mystery Barge is not known. The length is approximately 64 feet and the beam is approximately 14 feet.

Wreck Description: The vessel is sitting nearly upright in 50 feet of water.   The hull is completely intact, other than minor damage to some of the outer strake planks, which may be the cause of sinking. It appears to have formerly been a small steamer or schooner that had been converted to a barge. 

The forward cargo hold is full of coal. It has a steam winch on the aft deck, but there seems to be no boiler on board. There is a rigid hose present that could have been used to provide steam power from shore to run the winch. There is no rudder present. The mechanism for connecting the barge to her tow is rather crude; it consists of a length of chain connected around the stem of the vessel. A name board is present, but it is impossible to read the name. As a result we are calling this wreck the Mystery Barge.  

Wreck Location:
The wreck lies in 50 feet of water, north of Burnt Island. 

Lat/Long Coordinates:
Latitude:46º 06.983’ North
Longitude:83º 49.450’ West

Depth: The wreck lies in 50 feet of water.

Map courtesy of Michigan Underwater Preserve Council.

© 2009 Mike Spears and the Drummond Island Tourism Association