Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: D.N. Barney

• Vessel Type: Schooner

• Year Built: 1844

• Builder: Unknown, constructed in Clayton, New York

• Tonnage: 140 tons (later recorded as 149.58 tons in 1849)

• Final Incident: May 25, 1849

• Location: 40-Mile Point, eastern Straits of Mackinac, Lake Huron

• Depth: Not specified, likely shallow as the vessel ran aground on a rocky bottom.

Vessel Description

The D.N. Barney was a wooden Schooner built in 1844 in Clayton, New York, with a tonnage of approximately 140 tons. Designed for Great Lakes trade, the vessel primarily transported bulk cargo. Like many schooners of its time, it was rigged with multiple masts and relied on sails for propulsion, offering versatility and efficiency in shipping goods across the Great Lakes.

History

Construction and Service

The D.N. Barney was enrolled in the District of Cape Vincent, New York, in 1849. While specific details of its operational history are scarce, it is known to have been involved in the transportation of bulk goods. On its final voyage, the Schooner was carrying potter’s clay, an essential material for industrial and artisanal pottery production.

Final Voyage and Loss

On May 25, 1849, the D.N. Barney was caught in a severe storm while navigating the eastern Straits of Mackinac in Lake Huron. The storm drove the vessel ashore at 40-Mile Point, grounding it on a rocky bottom. Despite the destruction of the Schooner and its cargo, no lives were reported lost in the incident.

The Schooner was declared a Total Loss, and the value of the combined vessel and cargo was estimated at $6,000, a significant amount at the time. The loss highlights the perilous nature of Great Lakes navigation during the mid-19th century, when vessels frequently contended with unpredictable storms and challenging waters.

Final Disposition

The D.N. Barney ran aground on a rocky bottom and was declared a Total Loss. The wreck’s remains are likely scattered and may no longer be visible due to the passage of time and natural forces. There are no modern records indicating the presence of significant wreckage or artifacts.

Current Condition & Accessibility

• Condition: Unknown, presumed to be heavily degraded or no longer present due to its shallow grounding and exposure.

• Visibility: Likely poor due to sediment and rocky conditions in the shallow waters around 40-Mile Point.

• Accessibility: The site may interest divers and maritime historians, but no formal surveys or dive reports have been recorded.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Great Lakes Ships

• Related Sites:

• Known shipwrecks in the Thunder Bay Region

• Dive Michigan Shipwrecks

Conclusion

The D.N. Barney is a lesser-documented but poignant example of the hazards faced by schooners during the 19th century on the Great Lakes. Its grounding at 40-Mile Point in 1849, amid a fierce storm, underscores the challenges of navigating Lake Huron’s rocky shores. While little remains of the vessel today, its story contributes to the broader narrative of Great Lakes maritime history, marked by courage, commerce, and occasional tragedy.

This wreck, though undocumented in modern exploration, remains part of the collective memory of Lake Huron’s rich shipwreck heritage.

Keywords: D.N. Barney, Schooner, Lake Huron, 40-Mile Point, Great Lakes Shipwreck, 19th Century Maritime History, Cape Vincent, Potter’s Clay, Shipwreck Loss.