How much time do you need at Monohansett?

Allow half a day to explore Monohansett.

When was the Monohansett lost?

The Monohansett was lost on Lake Huron in 1907.

What kind of ship was the Monohansett?

The Monohansett was a wooden steamer.

Shipwreck & maritime history · Lake Huron

Monohansett

A steamer whose remains form part of Thunder Bay's protected maritime collection.

Photo: NOAA / Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary · Public domain

Stern and propeller of Monohansett by NOAA / Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary · Public domain. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

Official website Plan a trip around it

On the coast

About Monohansett

Monohansett's history reflects the wooden-steamer era of Great Lakes transport. Its remains are interpreted within Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary alongside very different ship types. Use the sanctuary's account to explore the vessel's career and loss; preservation rules and site conditions are separate from this historical overview.

LakeLake Huron

RegionMichigan

Lost1907

VesselWooden steamer

Historical overview only. Conditions, access and site safety can change; consult qualified local sources before any water activity.

Live · Monohansett

What's going on right now.

Weather, alerts, the water, the sky and local headlines, gathered from official sources as you read.

Gathering the latest conditions…

National Weather Service Environment Canada NOAA buoy observations Aurora forecast

Wreck sites are not published, so conditions are for the nearest forecast point on this shore. Live data from the U.S. National Weather Service, Environment and Climate Change Canada, NOAA's National Data Buoy Center and Space Weather Prediction Center; headlines link to the publishers. Sun and moon times are calculated. Conditions change quickly—check official forecasts before going on the water. Not for navigation.

Best time

Summer, when glass-bottom boat tours typically run from Alpena and calm, clear water makes this shallow wreck easiest to see.

Time needed

Half a day

Best months

Don't miss

Highlights of Monohansett.

Look down on the wreck from a glass-bottom boat — lying in only about 18 feet of water, it shows well from above in clear conditions.
Learn how a tipped oil lantern set the coal-laden steam barge ablaze in November 1907 as she sheltered behind Thunder Bay Island.
Hear how crews from the Thunder Bay Island Life-Saving Station rescued all 12 people aboard.
Start at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center to put the wreck in the context of Shipwreck Alley.

Know before you go

Tips for visiting Monohansett.

Glass-bottom boat schedules and routes vary with season and weather; ask at the heritage center which wrecks a given trip visits.
The wreck is protected — never touch or remove anything, even from a shallow site.
Thunder Bay is open to Lake Huron's wind, so trips can be canceled; leave a backup day in your plans.

Great for Shipwrecks & maritime history Islands, boats & paddling

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No verified point location is available. This is a lake overview, not this place's exact position. Precise shipwreck sites are not plotted.

Black-and-white basemap by OpenStreetMap. Great Lakes highlighted in color. Hold Ctrl (or Command) while scrolling to zoom. Use two fingers on touch screens.

Lake outlines: Natural Earth (public domain). Town centers: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Not for navigation.

Good to know

Questions about Monohansett

When is the best time to visit Monohansett?: Summer, when glass-bottom boat tours typically run from Alpena and calm, clear water makes this shallow wreck easiest to see.
How much time do you need at Monohansett?: Allow half a day to explore Monohansett.
When was the Monohansett lost?: The Monohansett was lost on Lake Huron in 1907.
What kind of ship was the Monohansett?: The Monohansett was a wooden steamer.

Travel well

Make it a good visit.

Check access before leaving.

Opening hours, parking, permits and step-free access change by season. Confirm your needs with the official destination; a map pin is not an entrance.

Give the shoreline time.

Leave room for weather delays and a quieter side trail. Stay on marked paths, respect closures and support the local communities that make the coast special.

Travel thoughtfully

Look beyond the air forecast.

Waves and water temperatures can tell a very different story. Use marine forecasts and local beach advisories before any water activity.

Official weather resources

Events

Seasonal traditions on this coast.

These events share the region and lake—not necessarily this destination. Confirm current dates with organizers.

June (annual dates vary)

Mackinac Island Lilac Festival

A springtime island celebration surrounded by Lake Huron.

Organizer & event guide

July (confirm race schedule)

Port Huron to Mackinac Race

A longstanding sailing race linking the southern Lake Huron outlet with Mackinac Island.