Lake Huron - Sanilac Underwater
Preserve
New York
Depth 100-118 ft/ Length 185 ft/ wooden steam
barge/ Launched 1856/ Lost October 14, 1876
New York's discovery was somewhat accidental. in 1988, the
group of shipwrecks researchers was looking for a shipwreck called Checota when they
registered another big mass on their depth sounder. The wreck was not identified
immediately because of its broken up state - its sides, bow and stern all collapsed. Only
the huge engine and boiler are still sitting on the bottom, relatively intact. In fact,
the only reason why this wreck was identified as 184' wooden steamer New York, was the
tiny brass plaque on the engine, identifying the manufacturer and the timeframe.
Engine aside, other highlights of this
dive include anchors on the bow and the massive wooden arch soaring above the ruins. Most
of the early wooden steamers had the twin bracing arches and New York was not an
exception.
Hazards include: depth of 100+ ft;
potential for disorientation due to the broken up state of the vessel and not so great
visibility

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