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Scuba diving Lake Huron, the Great Lakes, USA / Canada
Reader Reviews:
Dive Site: The Sport
Location: Lake Huron, Great Lakes, Michigan (43°16.008'N 082°27.892'W)
Description: Steel tug wreck
Length: 17 metres (57 feet)
Depth: 12 metres max (40 feet)
Visibility: 10 metres (30 feet)
Rating: ***
The Sport is a testament to how quickly the weather in this area can turn for the worst. Departing in reasonable conditions in the winter of 1920 the crew of the first ever steel tug on the Great Lakes suddenly found themselves in the midst of a gale. Taking on more water than the pumps could handle it was decided that they would make back to Port Huron.
With waves breaking over her bow, the fireman tending the boiler became seasick and left his post. The fire consequently died out, steam power was lost and the bilge pumps shut down completely. The rest is history. Fortunately no lives were lost - the crew abandoned ship and made it back to shore near Lexington, although it took them some time.
The 57' vessel lies with a starboard list in about 14m of water and is a nice wreck to visit as many artefacts lie on and around the boat, including the wheel, the prop, anchor and winch, several shovels, buckets and other tools. Apparently an historical marker was placed next to the wreck but unfortunately all that is left is a post. I suspect that it was accidentally pulled off by a mooring line, either attached to or wrapped around it.
Rick Davies
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