ALPENA, MI (AP)-- The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Michigan's northeastern Lower Peninsula seeks federal historic status for four shipwrecks.
The Alpena News reported Saturday the Pewabic, Kyle Spangler, M.F. Merrick and Etruria have been nominated for the National Register of Historic Places. Officials say most the wrecks, three of which are currently outside the sanctuary's boundary, are comparatively intact.
Achieving the status would give the sites additional protection against theft and damage.
The submissions will be reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Office. It would then submit chosen sites to the National Park Service.
The Alpena facility is among 14 national sanctuaries operated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the only one in fresh water. It works to protect the Great Lakes and scores of shipwrecks.