Steamer W.C. Franz
Lake Name: Lake Huron
Shipwreck Name: W.C. Franz
Vessel Type: Steamer
Location: Harisville, MI
Vessel Build Info: 1901, Wyandotte, MI US# 25339
Shipwreck Specs: 346x48x28, 3429gc 2030nc
Official Number: C130775
Names Other: built as URANUS, renamed in 1913
Sinking Detail
Up bound and light, the 350 foot steamer W.C. Franz completed her final voyage in the early hours of that fateful day. The steamer Loomis, down bound with packaged freight, struck deeply into the port side of the W.C. Franz. Brief radio messages from the Canadian vessel Franz tell of the mishap and quick orders to take to the lifeboats. The lifeboats were not in good working order and many of the crew ended up in dangerously cold water. The steamer Loomis lowered lifeboats and picked up the survivors from frigid Lake Huron. The steamer W.C. Franz is sitting upright on the floor of Lake Huron, remarkably well-preserved.
Loss Date: 11/21/1934
Loss Place: Off of Harisville, MI
Loss Life: 4
Loss Reason: Collision
Vessel Cargo: Light
Shipwreck Description
Shipwreck hunter David Trotter and a his dedicated team discovered the Franz sitting upright, remarkably well preserved after resting on the floor of Lake Huron for seven decades. Her bow cabin contains the wheel and other navigation instruments. The mast is upright with a small bell hanging just above the cabin. The large collision hole is on the port side by the bow and divers can swim through into the large empty cargo holds. The stern is also very interesting. There is an upright smokestack, double-wheel, and capstone with the name Uranus.
Dive Type: Technical
Depth Deck(ft): 200 ft
Depth Bottom(ft): 230 ft
Depth Deck(m): 61 m
Depth Bottom(m): 70 m