SUP-Snorkeling 1891 Shipwreck “The Leviathan”(Duncan Bay, Cheboygan, Michigan) [video]

Snorkeling a Legendary Great Lakes Shipwreck from a Paddleboard

The bones of “The Leviathan” lay at the mouth of Duncan Bay

Duncan Bay

Duncan Bay in Lake Huron is located at the Cheboygan State Park in Michigan. The sheltered Bay is the perfect place for sup touring.

I launched my inflatable Red Paddle Co. Voyager paddleboard from the State Park swimming beach. There was actually no “beach” to be seen due to high water levels.

It was around 9am and a perfect Northern Michigan morning. Sunny, warm, no wind and Lake Huron was flat.

The paddle out to the mouth of the bay was easy and just under one mile. The two shipwrecks sit next to each other and are marked by buoys. I was sure glad someone took the time mark the spots with buoys.

The two sunken vessels sit in about 12 feet of water. Typically even less but water levels were high. The tugboats are “The Leviathan” and “The Genesee Chief.” As it turns out “The Leviathan” is one of the most famous tugboats in Great Lake maritime history.

The Leviathan in its prime.

“The Leviathan” – A Legendary Tugboat

Duncan Bay is now home to the Cheboygan State Park. But at one time it was a thriving commercial port. It was perfectly located on the Mackinac Straits. Even then the Straits were a major shipping route. Freighters would pass the straits with supplies going in and out of the Great Lakes. Duncan Bay had a successful lumber mill and the port was busy.

The Straits of Mackinac are known for fierce storms and the most dangerous currents on the Great Lakes. With more shipping accidents Duncan Bay needed a wrecking and salvage company. In 1857 the “Lake Navigation Company” had a wrecking tugboat named “The Leviathan” built.

“The Leviathan” when constructed was one of the finest vessels afloat. It was made with only the best of materials. It was “cutting edge and state of the art” in every way including two steam engines for power. 126 feet long it was extremely large for a tug but had a very shallow draft for nimble handling . It was, at the time, the most competent tugboat ever made.

In the mid-late 1800s ‘The Leviathan’ was the undisputed KING of wrecking and salvage tugboats.

Some of its rescue operations are considered legendary by Great Lake historians.

“The Leviathan” proved more than worthy of all the hype. It became known as “Boss Wrecker”. The king of wrecking and salvage tugboats for decades. Many of its rescue operations are legendary.

Ironically the mighty “Leviathan” that saved so many ships was destroyed by fire while docked in the Cheboygan river. It was stripped of anything worthy of salvage and then towed to Duncan Bay where it was submerged and lays silently today.

Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve Website