Barge Sainte Marie

Built in 1893, the Sainte Marie once played a vital role in Great Lakes travel—carrying passengers and railroad cars across the Straits of Mackinac long before the Mackinac Bridge existed. For nearly two decades, she ferried travelers between Mackinaw City and St. Ignace, connecting Michigan’s Upper and Lower Peninsulas by water.

After being replaced by a newer steel ferry, the vessel was sold and repurposed as a barge for local salvage and dredging work. When her working days finally ended in the late 1920s, the Sainte Marie was left along the shoreline in DeTour Village—where her remains still sit today.

Now partially above the waterline, the wreck is a highly visible and unmistakable landmark along the DeTour Passage. While not a dive site, it offers a striking glimpse into the region’s maritime past and serves as a reminder of a time when ferries were the only way across the Straits.

Viewing from shore is recommended, as the aging structure is unstable.

Built: 1893

Role: Passenger & rail car ferry

Location: DeTour Village shoreline

Water Depth: 0–10 feet

Best Viewing: Kayak, paddlecraft, ferry parking loacted in detour or ferry deck (on calm days)