Barge 129
Whaleback Barge · Lost 1902 · Whitefish Point & Eastern Lake Superior
The 292-foot whaleback Barge 129 sank in a 1902 Lake Superior storm after her own towing steamer's anchor tore into her; every crewman was saved.
Become Captain of Record
The Vessel and Her Loss
The 292-foot whaleback Barge 129 was downbound with iron ore in tow of the steamer Maunaloa on October 13, 1902, when a powerful storm snapped the towline. Maunaloa turned back to reconnect, but wind and waves slammed the two ships together and Maunaloa's port anchor ripped into the barge's starboard side. Captain Josiah Bailey's crew struggled to launch their lifeboat and were helped aboard Maunaloa just as the whaleback dove to the bottom. The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society found her in 2021.
Vessel
- 1893
- Not established
- Not established
- Steel
- 292 ft
- Not established
- Not established
- None (towed)
- Not established
Loss
- October 13, 1902
- Collision
- About 35 miles off Vermilion Point, in 650 feet of water
- Lake Superior
- Not established
- Iron ore
- Not established
- 0
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- Not established
- Position not established
- Vermilion Point, Michigan
No pin: the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society does not publish wreck positions.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (75/100)
Based on the Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society's discovery report; original period records were not independently inspected.
Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society — Barge 129 discovery report
Full discovery report read.
NOAA Sanctuary Nomination — Shipwreck Coast, Lake Superior (Michigan): shipwreck table
Build and loss years, vessel type and general loss area from the nomination's wreck table.
