IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: CHECOTAH (formerly GEORGE D. RUSSELL)
• Official Number: 85267
• Type at Loss: Schooner-Barge with a wooden Hull
• Builder: Bailey Bros., Toledo, Ohio, 1870
• Dimensions:
• Length: 199 feet (60.7 meters)
• Beam: 34 feet (10.4 meters)
• Depth: 12 feet (3.7 meters)
• Tonnage: 658 gross tons, 598 net tons
• Final Location of Loss: Off Port Sanilac, Michigan, Lake Huron, approximately 12 miles northeast of the port and 6 miles offshore
• Depth of Wreck: Not specified but partially submerged
• Final Disposition: Declared a dangerous derelict after a storm-related sinking on October 30, 1906.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The CHECOTAH was a Schooner-Barge, a common type of vessel on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Designed primarily for transporting heavy cargo like timber, coal, or grain, these vessels often operated under tow by steamers. The CHECOTAH’s wooden construction and substantial dimensions made it ideal for bulk transportation, with a history that spanned several rebuilds and repurposings over its long career.

HISTORY

The CHECOTAH began its life in 1870 as the GEORGE D. RUSSELL, constructed in Toledo, Ohio, by Bailey Bros. It was a sturdy vessel designed to endure the rigours of Great Lakes shipping but faced significant adversity throughout its career.

• Early Years and Tragedy as GEORGE D. RUSSELL:

In 1882, the vessel was involved in a fatal collision with the Steamer NORTHERNER in the St. Mary’s River. The accident led to the loss of three lives and left the vessel stranded for several years. Its registration document was surrendered, marking the first of its three official losses.

• Rebirth as CHECOTAH:

Raised and Rebuilt in 1890, the vessel emerged as the CHECOTAH, continuing its service in lumber and bulk freight transportation. It operated under the ownership of various companies, adapting to the changing demands of maritime trade on the Great Lakes.

• Sinking and Rebuild:

In November 1905, the CHECOTAH suffered another significant loss when it wrecked in Cleveland. Its registration was surrendered for the second time, but the resilient vessel was salvaged and repaired once again.

• Final Loss:

On October 30, 1906, the CHECOTAH met its end during a violent storm on Lake Huron. While under tow by the Steamer TEMPEST, the Schooner-Barge succumbed to the storm’s fury, forcing the crew of seven to abandon ship. Remarkably, all lives were spared, but the vessel itself became a dangerous derelict. Its partially submerged wreckage, laden with waterlogged lumber, remained afloat, posing a hazard to navigation.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The CHECOTAH, Abandoned as a hulk in Lake Huron, is a unique case in Great Lakes maritime history. Despite attempts to repurpose and salvage it over the years, the vessel’s submerged remains continued to float, buoyed by its lumber cargo. The ship represents a rare example of a vessel that officially surrendered its registration documents three separate times due to catastrophic events.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck was identified soon after the vessel sank in 1906. The waterlogged remains were located approximately 12 miles northeast of Port Sanilac, Michigan, and about 6 miles offshore in Lake Huron.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

The CHECOTAH’s partially submerged state made it a navigational hazard, with its wreckage being officially marked as dangerous. The exact status of the wreck in modern times is unclear, but historical advisories indicate caution for mariners in the area near Port Sanilac.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Buffalo Evening News, October 31, 1906
• Buffalo Evening News, November 1, 1906
• Loss of American Vessels Reported during 1907, Merchant Vessel List of the U. S. A. for 1907
• List of Merchant Vessels of the U. S. A., 1906
• National Board of Lake Underwriters, Classification List for 1875
• Historical Collections of the Great Lakes, Vessels, Russell, George D.
• HCGL (Historical Collections of the Great Lakes)
• 3D Shipwrecks – Chechotah

CONCLUSION

The CHECOTAH’s story is a testament to the resilience of the Great Lakes shipping industry and the dangers that vessels faced on these unpredictable inland seas. Its multiple rebuilds and eventual transformation into a submerged derelict highlight the enduring utility of these workhorse ships, even in the face of repeated adversity. The CHECOTAH remains a significant chapter in the history of Great Lakes Schooner-barges, representing both the ingenuity and the peril of maritime commerce during its era.

KEYWORDS

CHECOTAH, GEORGE D. RUSSELL, Great Lakes Shipwreck, Schooner-Barge, Lake Huron, Maritime History, 19th Century Shipping, Port Sanilac Michigan, Lumber Trade, Storm Sinking.CHECOTAH – The Forgotten Schooner-Barge of Lake Huron