SS METROPOLE: A GREAT LAKES "TREASURE"
by David and Mickey Trotter, Jeff Moore

TREASURE!!! That is a word close to a shipwreck diver's heart (and wallet)!!

Garry Kozak - Shipwreck Hunter and Sidescan Sonar Maestro

Before telling the story of the discovery and exploration of the SS Metropole off Saginaw Bay in Lake Huron, we will revisit the ultimate Great Lakes treasure expedition that occurred in the late 1970s and early 1980s. There is no one that speaks with greater authority on Great Lakes treasure than Garry Kozak. It is through Garry's shipwreck discoveries and exploration activities that we can measure and determine the real value of what lies beneath the surface of the "Inland Seas"…and provide answers to the question of real "wealth" in the Great Lakes (aka-Inland Seas).

You need to appreciate that Garry is not your typical "occasional" shipwreck hunter, but an individual destined to change how shipwrecks are discovered in the Great Lakes. Garry began searching and discovering shipwrecks at the age of 16 with a small boat and depth sounder. This is an unusual activity and obsession for someone that normally would be focusing on the more earthly things in life at such a young age. However, it has been confirmed from several reputable sources that Garry did not leave these other important matters unattended.

After two years of college at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, Garry completed a commercial diving course and spent three years as a commercial diver in the early 70s. During this time he became exposed to the newly developed commercial tool, the sidescan sonar manufactured by Klein Associates. Garry immediately realized the potential of sidescan for discovery and exploration, and initiated historical research to determine the Great Lakes shipwreck that would make him "wealthy." The search narrowed to the "ghost ship" of Lake Erie, the Steamer Dean Richmond.

SS Dean Richmond

On Friday the 13th (1893), the 238' Steamship Dean Richmond left Toledo, Ohio, destined for Buffalo, New York, with a confirmed cargo of 200 tons of lead and 100 tons of zinc ingots. In addition, there were rumors of copper sheeting and a consignment of gold for Wells Fargo. The Dean Richmond never reached Buffalo as the horrific Lake Erie gale caused her disappearance with all hands. Only flotsam and bodies were discovered coming ashore a few days later, which confirmed the demise of the ship and all hands onboard the ill-fated vessel.

Here was a shipwreck with the potential for substantial wealth - certainly worth the undivided attention of Garry. With limited financial backing, Garry quit his "day" job (commercial diving) and focused all his energy on locating the Dean Richmond.

For three years, from April through September, Garry searched for the elusive Dean Richmond, living on meager funds while continuing to support the search effort. When Garry was again searching for temporary work in 1978, Marty Klein offered him a job at Klein Associates. It was very apparent to Marty that Garry had developed into one of the most skilled sidescan sonar operators in the U.S. Garry had only one condition of employment; he would work all year, but he required six weeks off during the summer...to continue searching for the Dean Richmond. Truly, this is now a man obsessed!

During the nine years of search effort, Garry often wondered if he had missed the Dean Richmond due to errant navigation, misinterpretation of the sidescan printout or Loran C position errors. With nearly 600 square miles of Lake Erie surveyed and the discovery of 28 shipwrecks, finally, on June 15, 1983, with Kathy (his wife) aboard the research vessel, Garry had target number 29 on the sidescan sonar. The size and unique characteristics of the target matched the Dean Richmond. It had taken nine years and more than $100,000 to print the Dean Richmond image on the sidescan paper.

Now, it was time to recover the $100,000 spent and make some real money! Unfortunately, the Dean Richmond was in 110' of water and upside down. Working the Dean Richmond site "on shares" with Massey Commercial Diving (Alpena, Michigan), recovery of lead and zinc was going as well as could be expected, under the circumstances. However, there was one minor, or should we say, major problem - the value of the cargo recovered averaged $4,000 per day, but it was costing $6,000 a day to recover it. To make matters worse, there was no copper sheeting located and the mysterious consignment of gold, supposedly placed on the Dean Richmond by Wells Fargo, was not to be found. After two weeks of losing more than they were making, Massey Commercial Diving and Garry Kozak finally terminated the cargo recovery effort from the Dean Richmond.

Today, shipwreck divers are able to visit the Dean Richmond to explore and relive the discovery and the greatest individual effort ever made to recover lost "wealth" from the bottomlands of the Great Lakes. This adventure and the story of discovery and exploration of the Steamer Metropole measure the true "wealth" in our "Inland Seas".

SS Metropole

The keel was laid in the shipyard of R. Shepard Shipbuilding Company of Huron, Ohio. Progress was quickly made on the small steamer, 100' in length with a beam of 22', and she was launched on June 23, 1883. Sakie Shepard, which was an unusual name, resulted from a combination of the shipbuilder's last name and the first name of a daughter of one of the owners. At the time she was placed into service, the vessel was owned by a group of six investors residing in the Detroit, Michigan, and the Toledo, Ohio, area.

The steamer was small, even for the 1880s time period, as she was initially commissioned for fishing and excursions. However, her size did not prevent her from having a very unusual history with several tragedies. The first occurred on April 27, 1895, when the Shepard sprang a leak five miles off the mouth of the Maumee River in Lake Erie, sinking in 50' of water. One sailor lost his life and there was much discussion about the captain's actions during the sinking; and whether or not his actions contributed to the loss of life when the ship was abandoned.

One month later, the Sakie Sheppard was raised and towed to Detroit for repairs before again being placed into service. The following three years were uneventful, until June 14, 1898. While tied to the dock at Courtright, Ontario, the Sakie Shepherd caught fire, was burned severely and finally declared a total loss. The story of the diminutive 100' steamer should have ended then.

Despite her age, size and hull damage, there appeared to be a glimmer of hope in 1900 for the little steamer, as she was towed to Detroit for rebuilding. Purchased by Hugh R. Havey and Captain John Stevenson, both of Detroit, she was lengthened from 100' to 118'. Her upper works were rebuilt, and she was reregistered as the SS Metropole. Finally, in July of 1900, she was launched for her third and final time.

Despite small size and shallow draft, she was profitable for her owners as the Metropole was able to enter smaller ports and pick up cargo that the larger vessels were unable to accept. However, the Metropole was aging and on borrowed time; large steel ships were already on the drawing boards. As an example, the SS Daniel J. Morrell, 603' in length, was built and launched in 1906. These ships were the "giants" of the early 1900s.

On August 8, 1903, ten years after the foundering of the Dean Richmond in Lake Erie, the little steamer was southbound in Lake Huron with a load of barrel staves for a cooperage (barrel manufacturer) in Cleveland, Ohio. There were moderate seas as the Metropole was making her way across the mouth of Saginaw Bay on a bright, sunny day. Unfortunately, Lake Huron's Saginaw Bay is notorious for claiming the lives of many ships.

The Chief Engineer noticed the water in the lower bilge was rising at an alarming rate. Upon further inspection, it was determined the tube that enclosed the propeller drive shaft had broken free from the hull. The water was rising rapidly and the Captain ordered the two bilge pumps be manned. Sailors battled against the rising water for only a short period of time before realizing that the ship, and perhaps the crew, was doomed. Now it was time for the Captain to make the decision to "abandon ship." The Metropole was 15 miles from shore and sinking. Their only chance for survival was to rely on the small yawl on the stern.

The sailors launched the yawl and all onboard the Metropole made it safely into the small open boat. They rowed the yawl with great energy in an effort to clear the sinking Metropole, which threatened to capsize the smaller boat. The Metropole continued to settle in the water until the very tips of the 70' masts slipped below the surface. Lake Huron had claimed another victim.

The yawl contained all of the crew, including the Captain, however, it was unclear they would survive the ever dangerous conditions of Saginaw Bay. Although the short, choppy waves were somewhat moderate, the small yawl was being pushed into the open waters of Lake Huron. Each sailor knew his best chance for survival was to put forth maximum effort to move the small boat 15 miles south, to the "tip of the Thumb", near Port Austin, Michigan. With maximum effort, and after many hours, the crew managed to row ashore, completely exhausted but safe.

Be sure to look for the conclusion next month and join the first divers as they descend into the stillness of the Metropole site.

Please visit the URA Web site www.shipwreck1.com for information on programs in the "Great Lakes Adventure and Discovery Series".

A video documentary of the search, discovery and documentation of the wreck is available in DVD or VHS for the cost of $20, which includes shipping. Mail a check made payable to The Lakeshore Guardian, 9697 Purdy Rd., Harbor Beach, MI 48441. Be sure to include your shipping information.