Low water exposes century-old shipwreck on Grand Haven’s Harbor Island

Eric Gaertner | egaertne@mlive.com
GRAND HAVEN, MI – The remains of a wooden steamer built 125 years ago recently were uncovered in the Grand River, a surprising benefit of the historically low water levels.
The wooden sections of the 290-foot steamer Aurora, which burned in 1932, and parts of at least four other shipwreck hulks were exposed by the receding water line near the edges of Harbor Island. West Michigan maritime researchers deemed the Aurora the most significant of the finds, as it was once the largest wooden steamer on the Great Lakes.
After being alerted to the wooden pieces by area residents, Holland-based Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates (MSRA) members and officials with the Tri-Cities Historical Museum in Grand Haven investigated and surveyed the larger wreck, featuring the hull, sides and the propeller shaft cradle at the stern. The bow appeared buried and a survey by MSRA east of the visible portion revealed a structure well over 200 feet long, verifying the wreck as that of the Aurora.
Valerie Van Heest, director of MSRA and a maritime historian, said exposing a near-shore shipwreck, especially vessels that ran aground, happens on occasion with low lake levels. She wouldn’t be surprised if other wrecks are uncovered due to this year’s low levels around the Great Lakes.
“Usually, we have to go underwater to see these shipwrecks,” Van Heest said, referring to the more traditional method of side scan sonar and divers used by MSRA in discovering Lake Michigan shipwrecks.
Van Heest, Tri-Cities Historical Museum Director Kenneth Pott, who is also a maritime archaeologist, along with historians and MSRA members, are planning to continue to research the Aurora. They expect the ship to provide insight into the shipbuilding techniques and designs used more than 100 years ago.
“We’re getting a glance of 1880s construction,” Van Heest said, explaining that the wreck provides a physical record to supplement the previous written records. “The Aurora was a very significant ship when built in 1887 and it’s thrilling to be able to study its remains now.”
“Not only did the length lead to our likely identification of the vessel, but the visible portions of the hull framing supported that notion as well,” Pott said.
Researchers are being forced to move quickly, because of the impending snowy season. Van Heest said the snow already is starting to cover the wreck and heavy snowfall this winter may mean higher lake levels that would cover the wreck again.

A map provided by the Michigan Shipwreck Research Associates shows where the shipwreck Aurora lies just east of the public boat launch ramp on Harbor Island in Grand Haven on the Grand River.

The wreck is on public land, so people can check out the Aurora shipwreck. However, Van Heest cautioned residents to respect the wreck as if it was a crime scene.
“We ask that they respect this as an historical site,” Van Heest said. “Look, don’t touch.”
The large wreck is just east of the public launch ramp on Harbor Island.
The Aurora’s history depicts a long and significant career marked by several changes in use. The Aurora burned to the water line at Bois Blanc in the Detroit River in 1898 and the owners chose to rebuild the 11-year-old vessel into a barge. After changing ownership several times, the barge came under the ownership of Morton Salt Company in 1916 before being laid up due to an economic downturn in 1927. It was left in shallow water on the north side of Harbor Island to rot.
Erosion of the Grand River since 1932 is evident with the discovery.
“After the fire, river sediments built up over the forward half of the vessel, eventually several trees and marsh shrubs sprouted over the wreck and the river course shifted,” Van Heest said. “The current environmental changes revealed the portion that had only been covered with water.”
The Aurora is depicted in Van Heest’s latest book, "Lost and Found: Legendary Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes." The Aurora’s mention came for its role in 1898 of towing the largest schooner on the Great Lakes, the David Dows.

A photo of the ship Aurora from its sailing days provided by the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The 290-foot shipwreck is now exposed in Grand Haven due to low water levels in the Grand River. The ship was built in 1887 and lies just east of the public boat launch ramp on Harbor Island.

When launched by the Murphy and Miller of Cleveland in late July that year, the 290-foot, steam-driven propeller was the largest and most powerfully built wooden vessel on the Great Lakes. The 3,000-ton vessel was initially owned by John Corrigan of the Aurora Mining Company of Milwaukee, which paid $150,000 for its construction.
According to records detailing its construction, the Aurora was built with Kentucky oak.
At the time of the Aurora’s construction, ironed-hull ships were still in their infancy. The technology of using iron straps allowed the builders to fabricate the ship with wood.
“It is fascinating to be able to see this unique construction methodology in the flesh so to speak,” Van Heest said.
The remaining mysteries surrounding the Aurora are: Why was it brought to Grand Haven to be abandoned and was it burned intentionally?
Eric Gaertner covers the outdoors, government and politics. He can be reached via email at egaertne@mlive.com. Follow him on Twitter @EricGaertner1

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