Lake Superior Shipwrecks
 U.S.S. Essex
Post-Depositional Impacts

Apart from the natural erosional properties of wave, wind and ice to the extremely exposed wreckage, what remains of the U.S.S. Essex is in reach of the walking public. Evidence of recent fastener removal is present and future fastener removal constitutes a major threat to the resource. It appears that chain saws, axes and pry bars have been employed by relic collectors. Some evidence of burning is present on the submerged end of the remains, but these may represent historical salvage methods.

Essex artifacts
U.S.S. Essex fastenings on display at the S.S. Meteor Museum in West Superior, WI; MHS/SHPO Collections

|--U.S.S. Essex-- |--Historic Description--|
|--Construction and Career-- |--Description of the Wreck Event--|
|--Post-Depositional Impacts-- |--Present Description-- |--Significance-- |--Photographs--|
|--Minnesota Lake Superior Shipwrecks-- |
|--Minnesota Historical Society Homepage--|