SHIPWRECK REPORT: CASE REED (REED CASE)

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: Case Reed (also known as Reed Case)

• Type: Wooden Schooner

• Built: 1869 by Bailey Bros., Toledo, Ohio

• Owner at Sinking: C.J. Magill, Chicago, Illinois

• Location: Lake Superior, near the entrance to the Portage Ship Canal

• Coordinates: Approx. 4 miles from the canal entrance; wreck lies 0.25 miles from the entrance in 15 feet of water

VESSEL DESCRIPTION

• Hull Material: Wood

• Dimensions:

• Length: 137 feet

• Beam: 26 feet

• Depth: 13.9 feet

• Tonnage:

• Gross: 330 tons

• Net: 313 tons

• Built For: General cargo transportation across the Great Lakes

HISTORY

Construction and Service:

The Case Reed was launched in 1869 as a sturdy and reliable Schooner, plying the waters of the Great Lakes for nearly two decades. Primarily used to transport various cargoes, the vessel was no stranger to challenging weather conditions and crowded waterways.

Final Incident:

• Date: October 19, 1888

• Circumstances:

• The Schooner, sailing light without cargo, encountered a severe storm while bound from Duluth.

• The ship’s anchor failed to hold, and it dragged into a reef about 4 miles from the Portage Ship Canal entrance.

• The vessel sustained heavy pounding from relentless waves, damaging its structure significantly.

• Fatality:

• Captain Charles Green, the ship’s master, drowned while attempting to reach shore in a Yawl boat.

• The remaining crew survived the ordeal.

• Rescue Efforts:

• The Tug A.C. Adams managed to free the Case Reed from the reef and began towing it toward the canal entrance.

• Unfortunately, the vessel Foundered in the storm before reaching safety.

OTHER INCIDENTS

• 1885: Ran aground on Great Duck Island, Lake Huron, but was freed with the assistance of the Steamship E.K. Roberts and a Tugboat.

• 1887: Collided with the Schooner John B. Merrill at Beaver Harbor.

CURRENT CONDITION

• Wreck Site:

• The Case Reed lies in 15 feet of water, a quarter-mile from the entrance to the Portage Ship Canal, Lake Superior.

• The wreck is partially buried but remains visible in the clear waters of the canal area.

• Access:

• The shallow depth makes it an accessible dive site, though deteriorating conditions require caution.

SIGNIFICANCE

The Case Reed’s tragic loss underscores the dangers faced by Great Lakes sailors during the late 19th century. Its history highlights the unpredictable nature of these inland seas and the bravery of those who worked upon them. Today, the wreck serves as both a historical artifact and a somber reminder of the risks inherent in maritime navigation.

REFERENCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Great Lakes Ships Database

CONCLUSION

The wreck of the Case Reed rests as a memorial to its captain and crew, as well as a poignant chapter in Great Lakes maritime history. Its story, marked by resilience, tragedy, and the perils of navigation, continues to resonate with divers and historians alike.

KEYWORDS

#CaseReed #Shipwreck #GreatLakesHistory #LakeSuperior #PortageCanal #MaritimeHistory