Joseph S. Fay

GPS Location: N45°29.317' W83° 54.600'
Depth: 17 Feet
Wreck Length: 215.6 Feet Beam: 33.6 Feet
Gross Tonnage: 1221 Cargo: Iron Ore
Built: 1871 by Quayle and Martin
Wrecked: October 19, 1905

Description: With the D.P. Rhodes in tow, the giant bulk freighter Joseph S. Fay encountered a strong gale in northern Lake Huron. Fay hit the rocks at 40 Mile Point, the towline parted and the Rhodes met a similar fate at Cheboygan. The Fay broke apart quickly and its lower hull still containing a load of iron ore sits in shallow water not far from shore, while a large portion of the starboard side is located on the beach just up the shore from the lighthouse.

Link to historical Information on this ship.

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Enjoy diving the wrecks of Thunder Bay, but always respect the past. State and federal laws prohibit removing or disturbing artifacts. Future generations are depending on us to leave historic shipwrecks intact. Please take only pictures and leave only bubbles.

The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary maintains seasonal moorings at many shipwreck sites. Available from May to September, the moorings make for safer diving and also protect shipwrecks from anchor damage. Sanctuary regulations require vessels to use moorings when present.

Marine Forecast

Forecast for the Alpena area