How much time do you need at Pewabic?

Allow 1–2 hours to explore Pewabic.

When was the Pewabic lost?

The Pewabic was lost on Lake Huron in 1865. The recorded date of loss is August 9, 1865.

What kind of ship was the Pewabic?

The Pewabic was a passenger and freight steamer built in 1863.

Shipwreck & maritime history · Lake Huron

Pewabic

A Thunder Bay steamer lost in a collision during the Great Lakes shipping era.

Photo: J.E. Keast · Public domain

Pewabic.jpg by J.E. Keast · Public domain. Resized and converted to WebP; display crops vary.

Official website Plan a trip around it

On the coast

About Pewabic

Pewabic carried passengers and freight between Great Lakes ports before a collision with the steamer Meteor near Thunder Bay Island. Its story connects nineteenth-century commerce with the human consequences of navigation decisions. NOAA's historical account and virtual interpretation offer a land-based way to learn about this memorial site.

LakeLake Huron

RegionMichigan

LostAugust 9, 1865

VesselPassenger and freight steamer

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

Live · Pewabic

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

Late spring to fall to pair Alpena's heritage center with the shoreline stops of the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail.

Time needed

1–2 hours

Best months

Don't miss

Highlights of Pewabic.

Learn how sister ships Pewabic and Meteor, which routinely met to exchange mail, collided on a calm August evening in 1865.
Explore Thunder Bay's shipwreck history at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, the sanctuary's visitor center in Alpena.
Take NOAA's online 360-degree virtual dive to see the wreck without disturbing it.
Reflect on the cost — NOAA calls the wreck a gravesite and silent memorial to those lost in the sinking and later salvage.

Know before you go

Tips for visiting Pewabic.

The Pewabic lies in deep, cold water and is protected; experience it through the sanctuary's exhibits and virtual tour, not on site.
The heritage center is open year-round, making it a good rainy-day stop on any Lake Huron trip.

Great for Shipwrecks & maritime history Harbor towns & villages

Loading the map. The links and itinerary below are always available.

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 Pewabic

When is the best time to visit Pewabic?: Late spring to fall to pair Alpena's heritage center with the shoreline stops of the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Trail.
How much time do you need at Pewabic?: Allow 1–2 hours to explore Pewabic.
When was the Pewabic lost?: The Pewabic was lost on Lake Huron in 1865. The recorded date of loss is August 9, 1865.
What kind of ship was the Pewabic?: The Pewabic was a passenger and freight steamer built in 1863.

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.