NBM Dive Site Resource
Smith Moore
Munising, Michigan, United States
A nearly intact 260-foot wooden steamer resting on sand in the Munising East Channel, with the deck around 80 feet and the bottom near 100 feet.
Save this dive site to your free member profile.
Historic Photograph
Aquatic life at this dive site
What divers may encounter
Three reviewed connections are featured here. Sightings vary by season, conditions, and chance, so they are never guaranteed.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Aquatic life research in progress
NBM is reviewing a likely local species for this position.
Site media
Photographs
Three views rotate from the published gallery on each visit.
Contributor media
Dive videos
Three featured video positions are reserved on every profile.Published reference location
Location map
The marker shows the public coordinates associated with this profile. Confirm current access, moorings, and departure details before the dive.Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Recent field observations
Diver-reported temperatures
Automatically checked observations from dives during the past 14 days. Three reports are visible at a time; scroll for more.A report that passes the automatic checks will appear here with the dive date, diver’s display name, and temperatures at each depth.
Reports are automatically checked for plausible dates, depths, and temperatures. They are observations, not forecasts; confirm conditions before diving.
Seasonal planning reference
Typical monthly conditions
Long-term averages, not a forecast. Actual air and water conditions can change quickly and may vary across the site.Moderate-confidence match — Matched by documented Great Lakes port/area. Air and surface-water values are regional planning averages. No bottom-water line is published because a comparable depth-specific record has not yet been verified.
| Month | Average air | Surface water | Bottom water | Bottom measurement depth |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 14.3°F / -9.8°C | 36.7°F / 2.6°C | No reliable record | — |
| Feb | 15.8°F / -9.0°C | 34.9°F / 1.6°C | No reliable record | — |
| Mar | 25.0°F / -3.9°C | 36.6°F / 2.6°C | No reliable record | — |
| Apr | 36.8°F / 2.7°C | 36.8°F / 2.7°C | No reliable record | — |
| May | 50.6°F / 10.3°C | 36.4°F / 2.4°C | No reliable record | — |
| Jun | 60.7°F / 15.9°C | 38.2°F / 3.4°C | No reliable record | — |
| Jul | 65.3°F / 18.5°C | 44.6°F / 7.0°C | No reliable record | — |
| Aug | 63.6°F / 17.6°C | 55.7°F / 13.2°C | No reliable record | — |
| Sep | 56.3°F / 13.5°C | 55.4°F / 13.0°C | No reliable record | — |
| Oct | 43.5°F / 6.4°C | 49.2°F / 9.6°C | No reliable record | — |
| Nov | 30.8°F / -0.7°C | 43.4°F / 6.3°C | No reliable record | — |
| Dec | 20.2°F / -6.6°C | 39.9°F / 4.4°C | No reliable record | — |
NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals — Marquette, MI
1991–2020 climate normalsReview source ↗NOAA NCEI Coastal Water Temperature Guide — East Superior
Historical monthly station averagesReview source ↗Bottom temperature is never inferred from surface temperature. A blank month means no reliable depth-specific average is available. Data reviewed 2026-08-26.
Why divers know this place
Highlights
Intact hull, open hatches, machinery and gamefish in generally clear Lake Superior water.
Shipwreck-only module
The wreck
This section appears only on shipwreck records and brings the vessel, its loss, present condition, access, and responsible wreck-diving considerations into one place.
- Vessel type
- Three-masted wooden steamer
- Year sunk
- 1889
- Vessel length
- 260 ft
- Cause of loss
- Collision damage while carrying iron ore
- Wreck orientation
- Nearly intact on a sand bottom
- Present condition
- Deck near 80 feet; hull reaches approximately 100 feet
- Penetration guidance
- Open hatches provide access, but any entry is an overhead dive requiring training and planning
- Protection or memorial status
- Alger Underwater Preserve
History and significance
Smith Moore was damaged in a collision with James Pickands and sank while under tow toward Munising.
Plan the trip
Dive boats that visit this wreck
Shipwreck Tours lists this among the most popular wrecks it scuba dives and may assign either Hannah Marie or Wreck Express based on the trip.
Open boat profile →Munising, MichiganWreck Express — Munising Shipwreck Dive CharterShipwreck Tours, Inc.Shipwreck Tours lists this among the most popular wrecks it scuba dives and may assign either Hannah Marie or Wreck Express based on the trip.
Open boat profile →Regional context
Located within
Before you arrive
Access notes
Confirm the selected wreck, departure, current conditions, mooring status and diver requirements directly with the operator. Published coordinates support regional discovery and are not a substitute for current navigation, active mooring information, operator guidance, permits, weather, or a dive plan.
Plan within your training
Conditions and hazards
Cold water, changing visibility, boat traffic, entanglement and fragile or unstable wreck structure. Depth-specific decompression and overhead hazards may apply.
Independent resource notice
This record is a starting point for independent verification. Access, closures, moorings, weather, currents, depth, visibility, operator availability, and site conditions can change without notice. Confirm current information with the responsible operator, property owner, managing authority, or another qualified local source before planning or attempting a dive.