Harvey Bissell

Debris from a shipwreck — Frames and planks reach up from the lake bottom at the shallow site of *Harvey Bissell*. Photo: Jennifer Idol

Vessel Type: Sail: wooden three-masted schooner barge

GPS Location: N45° 03.287’ W83° 25.603’

Depth: 15 feet

Wreck Length: 162 feet

Beam: 33 feet

Gross Tonnage: 496

Cargo: None

Launched: 1866 by Little at Toledo, Ohio

Wrecked: November 24, 1905

Mooring Buoy Data

Description: Harvey Bissell went through many changes during the four decades that it sailed the Great Lakes. Originally rigged as a barkentine, it was made into a three-masted schooner in 1874, and later cut down to a two-masted barge to be towed behind another ship. Like many of its contemporaries, the ship suffered a number of accidents during its long career.

In late November 1905, Harvey Bissel sank off Middle Island when it sprang a leak while carrying lumber. The ship was towed to Alpena where it sank at the dock and was abandoned.

Today, Harvey Bissell rests just 1,000 feet from shore in less than 15 feet of water. While Lake Huron’s wind and waves have splayed open the wreck, plenty remains for divers, kayakers, and paddlers to explore.

Great Lakes Maritime Collection digital archive: http://greatlakeships.org/2894428/data?n=1

sonar scan of a shipwreck — Side scan sonar image of the shipwreck *Harvey Bissell*.

Historic image of the wooden vessel Harvey Bissell — Historic image of the wooden vessel *Harvey Bissell* under tow. Image courtesy ofPhoto: Great Lakes Maritime Collection, Alpena County George N. Fletcher Public Library

A diver swims above a shipwreck — A diver maneuvers over the shallow wooden wreckage of *Harvey Bissell*. Photo: Jennifer Idol

Algae and mussels coat the shallow wooden wreckage of Harvey Bissell — Algae and mussels coat the shallow wooden wreckage of *Harvey Bissell*. Photo: Jennifer Ido