The Wreck Today: Lying on a sand bottom, the most notable feature of the wreck is her huge boiler. The wreck is broken and spread over a large area. There is lots of pipe and wood, a second small boiler, and a capstan off the port side of the wreck. If you search carefully, you may find one of the brass tags labeled “M.S. & N.I.R.R. The initials stand for Michigan Southern and Northern Indiana Rail Road. They helped to positively identify this site as the Northern Indiana
CAUTION: This vessel lies very close to the Pelee Point shoal waters. Boaters need to pay careful attention to the depth to the east of the wreck. The area is also subject to very strong currents and divers need to exercise great caution in the water.
CAUTION: This vessel lies very close to the Pelee Point shoal waters. Boaters need to pay careful attention to the depth to the east of the wreck. The area is also subject to very strong currents and divers need to exercise great caution in the water.
Northern Indiana
Location: just west of Point Pelee, Ontario
Coordinates: LORAN: 43830.7 57160.4 GPS: 41 53.882 82 30.600
Lies: bow east Depth:25 feet
Official #:none
Type:paddle wheel steamer Cargo:passengers & misc. freight
Power: vertical beam engine - 72” x 12’ stroke with 38’ paddle wheels
Owner(s) Michigan Southern Railroad Company
Built: 1852 at Buffalo, New York by Bidwell & Banta
Dimensions: 300’6” x 36’10” x 13’8” Tonnage:1,475
Date of Loss: Thursday, July 17, 1856
Cause of Loss: fire
Coordinates: LORAN: 43830.7 57160.4 GPS: 41 53.882 82 30.600
Lies: bow east Depth:25 feet
Official #:none
Type:paddle wheel steamer Cargo:passengers & misc. freight
Power: vertical beam engine - 72” x 12’ stroke with 38’ paddle wheels
Owner(s) Michigan Southern Railroad Company
Built: 1852 at Buffalo, New York by Bidwell & Banta
Dimensions: 300’6” x 36’10” x 13’8” Tonnage:1,475
Date of Loss: Thursday, July 17, 1856
Cause of Loss: fire
Additional information on the Northern Indiana is on page 140 of Erie Wrecks West.
