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Along the shores of Michigan’s Thumb, beneath its cold waters, lie the remains of forgotten Lake Huron shipwrecks. While many people know the story of the Edmund Fitzgerald, fewer have heard about the ships that met their fate near Port Austin, Caseville, and Harbor Beach. These wrecks, some still visible, remind us of the power of the Great Lakes and the dangers faced by sailors of the past.
Why Are There So Many Lake Huron Shipwrecks Near Michigan’s Thumb?
The waters off Michigan’s Thumb have long been known as a graveyard for ships. In the 1800s and early 1900s, freighters, steamships, and schooners filled the Great Lakes, carrying lumber, coal, and grain. But this region had its challenges:
- Shallow waters and hidden sandbars made navigation difficult.
- Sudden storms could turn calm waters into deadly waves.
- Heavy fog led to collisions between ships.
- Ice in winter damaged hulls and sank vessels.
To help sailors, the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse and life-saving stations were built along the coast. But even with these safety measures, many ships still went down.
Notable Shipwrecks Along the Thumb Coast
The Thumb Area Bottomland Preserve is a designated underwater preserve protecting many of the historic shipwrecks off Michigan’s Thumb Coast. Established to safeguard the region’s maritime history, the preserve covers an area where numerous Great Lakes vessels met their fate due to storms, collisions, and navigational challenges.
The Catastrophic Collision: Philadelphia and Albany (1893)
In the early morning hours of November 7, 1893, the steamers Philadelphia and Albany were navigating the waters off Pointe Aux Barques when disaster struck. The Philadelphia, bound for Chicago with coal and merchandise, collided head-on with the Albany, which was carrying grain to Buffalo. The force of the impact nearly tore the Albany in two.
Though the crew of the Philadelphia attempted to tow the Albany to shore, the vessel quickly sank in 200 feet of water. The Philadelphia, now compromised from the damage, soon followed, sinking just five miles from shore. The crash left thirteen crew members dead, many of whom drowned in the frigid waters. Survivors clung to lifeboats and wreckage, while others never surfaced.
The tragedy was compounded by the dense fog that had settled over the lake that night, making visibility poor. Witnesses reported hearing desperate cries from those thrown into the water, but few could be saved. In the aftermath, bodies were found washed up along the shoreline, life preservers still strapped to them.
- Location: Near Pointe Aux Barques
- What Happened: In thick fog, this collision took place about 12 miles off Point aux Barques, Michigan. The Philadelphia crashed into the Albany, causing severe damage, and then tried to tow the Albany back to shore. However, as the Albany started to sink, its crew escaped to a smaller boat and boarded the Philadelphia. Sadly, the Philadelphia also sank before they could reach safety. The Philadelphia was a 236-foot iron freighter, and it went down with about 24 crew members on board. It sank in waters 125 feet deep. The Albany was a larger 267-foot steel bulk freighter, and it also sank during this accident, with its crew of 8 losing their lives. The Albany sank in 149 feet of water.
The Mysterious Fate of the Checotah (1906)
Another tragic wreck off Michigan’s Thumb Coast was the barge Checotah, which became waterlogged and adrift in Lake Huron. The vessel, which was being towed along with other barges, encountered rough conditions and began taking on water near Port Sanilac. Captain William Somerville, his daughter Kate, and five crew members were forced to abandon ship as it became unstable.
For nearly an hour, they drifted in a yawl boat before being rescued by the steamer William A. Payne, finally reaching safety in Port Huron. The Checotah itself was left floating, a dangerous derelict, drifting across the lake.
In the following days, wreckage from the vessel—including hatch covers, window blinds, and lumber—began washing ashore as far as Lexington. Eventually, the Checotah sank completely off the coast of Port Sanilac, with most of its 825,000 feet of lumber cargo lost. Nearly 750,000 feet of the cargo was recovered and sold to the Sicken Lumber Company in Marine City.
The wreck of the Checotah was a menace to other ships, prompting search efforts by a tugboat from Harbor Beach, but the derelict vessel remained elusive in the vast waters of Lake Huron.
The Jacob Bertschy (1879) – Lost to a Violent Storm
What Happened: On September 3, 1879, the propeller steamer Jacob Bertschy was caught in a violent storm near Grindstone City. Struggling against powerful winds and heavy waves, the vessel was driven onto the rocks at Lime Kiln Crossing, breaking apart. Despite the severity of the wreck, all crew and passengers were rescued, thanks to the bravery of the local life-saving service. Today, the wreck sits in just 8 feet of water, making it an excellent shore dive for beginners and snorkelers. The remains of the vessel attract many game fish, creating a unique underwater exploration site.
Location: Southeast of Grindstone City Harbor
The Mystery of the Ghost Ship Caprice (1967)
Not all disappearances on Lake Huron have a clear explanation. One of the most puzzling cases was the 1967 disappearance of the Caprice, a 32-foot sloop owned by George E. Gerow of Grosse Pointe Farms.
On the evening of July 28, 1967, the Caprice ran aground on a reef near Port Austin after participating in the Mackinaw sailing race. The vessel’s distress flares were answered, and a rescue boat removed Gerow’s wife and three sons. Later that night, Gerow also left the vessel, taken ashore in an 18-foot boat. Before leaving, he dropped anchor and believed the Caprice would remain safely grounded until morning.
However, by the next day, the vessel had vanished without a trace. Despite weeks of air and water searches involving skin divers and electronic scanning devices, the Caprice was never found. It had reportedly been insured for $19,000. Some believe the Caprice was stolen, while others suspect it had a hull breach and was swept into deeper waters by Lake Huron’s unpredictable currents.
A small 8×4-inch piece of fiberglass, similar to the Caprice’s hull, was found on the lakebed near the reef. Could this have been evidence that the sloop suffered a structural failure before sinking into the depths?
The Caprice remains one of Lake Huron’s most enduring maritime mysteries, earning its place among the so-called ghost ships of the Great Lakes.
Can You See These Shipwrecks Today?
Yes! Some wrecks are shallow enough for kayakers, snorkelers, and divers to explore. Others require special diving equipment. Here’s how you can experience them:
- Port Austin and Caseville: Some wreck sites are visible from the surface. Kayakers often visit them on clear days.
- Harbor Beach: The area has several diveable wrecks, and local tour boats take visitors to some of them.
- Shipwreck Museums: The Great Lakes Maritime Center in Port Huron and the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association offer detailed maps and history.
Lake Huron Shipwrecks – Legends and Ghost Stories
Over the years, strange stories have been told about these wrecks. Fishermen claim to see mysterious lights over the water. Some boaters have reported hearing ghostly voices near known wreck sites. Whether these stories are real or just local myths, they add to the mystery of Michigan’s lost ships.
Protecting Michigan’s Underwater History
Many of these wrecks are protected under Michigan law, meaning it’s illegal to remove artifacts or damage them. Groups like NOAA’s Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center work to preserve these sites. If you visit, take only pictures and leave only ripples.
What’s Still Out There?
The Thumb’s waters hold more than 200 known shipwrecks, but some have never been found. New technology continues to reveal hidden wrecks beneath the lake. Could the next great discovery be waiting just offshore?
Do you have a story about a shipwreck in Lake Huron? Share it in the comments or on social media!
