SHIPWRECK REPORT: MERRY CALVIN (Also known as MARY CALVIN)

Type: Wooden Schooner

Tonnage: 12 tons

Built: Circa 1816, Detroit, Michigan

Final Incident Date: November 1825

Location of Stranding: Near Brownstown, Michigan, Detroit River

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: Merry Calvin (often referred to as Mary Calvin in records)

• Construction: Wooden Hull, small Schooner designed for trade and transportation on the Detroit River.

HISTORY

Construction and Purpose:

The Merry Calvin was built in Detroit around 1816. With its modest size and tonnage, the vessel was primarily used for river trade and transportation, supporting the growing settlements along the Detroit River and Lake Erie.

Final Voyage (November 1825):

• Route: Departed Detroit, Michigan, bound for Monroe, Michigan.

• Cargo: Unspecified, but successfully retrieved and delivered despite the vessel’s troubles.

Series of Incidents:

1. Adverse Winds:

• Delayed the voyage at the mouth of the Detroit River for approximately two weeks.

2. First Grounding (November 17, 1825):

• The vessel was driven ashore on the Canadian side near Bar Point, 5 miles below Amherstburg.

• The cargo was unloaded to refloat the Schooner.

• The vessel was successfully refloated and set off towards Detroit under tow.

3. Second Grounding:

• Struck a rock while being towed back to Detroit, running aground once again.

• Freed by Monday morning and resumed its voyage.

4. Final Incident:

• The Schooner was stranded near Brownstown, Michigan, with water filling its hold.

• At the time of the last report, the vessel remained stranded, and its ultimate fate is unknown.

FINAL DISPOSITION

• Cause of Loss: Series of groundings and mishaps due to adverse winds and navigational challenges in the Detroit River.

• Fate of Vessel: Stranded near Brownstown; no further records detail its recovery or destruction.

SIGNIFICANCE

The Merry Calvin represents one of the early schooners supporting trade along the Detroit River during the early 19th century. Its repeated mishaps highlight the difficulties faced by sailors navigating the river’s strong currents, unpredictable winds, and shallow waters. The vessel’s story provides insight into the challenges of early maritime trade in the Great Lakes region.

NOTES FOR RESEARCHERS AND HISTORIANS

• Cargo and Crew: There were no casualties or loss of cargo, demonstrating the resilience and resourcefulness of the crew.

• Unclear Fate: The ultimate fate of the Merry Calvin remains undocumented, leaving a gap in the historical record of this small but significant vessel.

REFERENCES & LINKS

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

This report commemorates the Merry Calvin’s contributions to early Great Lakes trade and its enduring legacy as a symbol of the challenges faced by 19th-century sailors.