Lake Superior
John M. Osborne - Whitefish Underwater preserve
Depth 145 -165 ft/ Length 178 ft/
wooden steamer/ Lost on July 27, 1884
Although it’s been more than 100 yrs
since it sunk in July 1884, Osborne is still remarkably intact. The sinking was a result of collision with the
steel steamer Alberta in a dense fog that is such an often occurrence in that area. Osborne’s wooden hull was not a match for the Alberta’s
steel bow which cut Osborne’s hull nearly in half in the area near the boilers.
Doomed, Osborne sunk really fast, taking three of its crew down of the bottom of the lake.
Today the wreck is one of the highlight
of Whitefish Underwater Preserve. Its bow is very intact with both anchors still in their
place. This was the first wreck that i have seen that had the doors in the sides of the
bow for deploying hte anchors.
    
 
Moving from bow to stern, and away from
mystery anchors, one would encounter the capstan and winch as well as remains of the masts
that are all over the upper deck. The masts foundations with fife rails and belay pins are
still in place. The collision gap that is clearly visible on the starboard side.
        
Further aft, the engine and the boilers
are the highlights of the stern
   
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