In the documentary Flashback - A Fresh Look and Some Treasures from the Past!, we explore the artifact filled schooner Arcturus, the steamer Iron Chief, and the tug Fred Lee.
Arcturus
The Arcturus was a 139ft 2 masted schooner built in 1853 by F.D. Ketcham in Huron, Ohio. In 1881 the Arcturus was converted to a barge. On August 19th, 1888, the Arcturus was under tow by the tug Brady when she sprung a leak and sunk. At the time of her sinking she was carrying a load of sand. The final location of the wreck is approximately 20 miles north of Point Aux Barques, Michigan in Lake Huron. The vessel was originally discovered by Dave Trotter in 2002. Now almost 20 years later, we re-investigate the shipwreck site. With improved visibility and technology we are able to correct previous documentation about the wreck.
Iron Chief
The Iron Chief was a wooden 4 masted schooner-barge that was built in Detroit, MI in 1881. The Iron Chief was 212.33 feet long. On October 3rd, 1904, bound for Fort William, Ont with a load of coal, the stern pipe broke in heavy seas. The ship filled with lake water and sank. The crew of the Iron Chief were rescued by the steamer Andrew Carnegie and were safely delivered to Alpena, MI.
Fred Lee
The Fred Lee was a wooden tugboat built in Port Huron, MI in 1896. The Lee is 70 feet long with a 16-foot beam. She was headed to Sault Ste. Marie when she foundered in heavy seas and sank immediately on November 13th, 1936. All 5 crew were lost. Today she sits upright and intact on the bottom. The exhaust funnel used to be standing but has recently fallen on the wreck. Triple steam whistles and the wheel of the ship can be seen on the wreck.
Port Austin
967 Port Austin Road
Port Austin, MI 48467
Attica
1265 Mitchell Lake Road
Attica, MI 48412
Email: info@michigandiver.com
Phone: (810) 214-0082