IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: Asia

• Depth: Not specified (wrecked on Spectacle Reef, Lake Huron)

• GPS Coordinates: Not specified

• Wreck Length: Not specified

• Beam: Not specified

• Date Sunk: September 5, 1866

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Asia was a Schooner, reportedly built in 1864 or 1865, though some sources suggest it might have been constructed in 1858 by Muir at Port Dalhousie. It was classified as the largest canal-class vessel of its time, boasting an approximate tonnage of 380 tons. Designed for substantial cargo transport, including coal, the Schooner was emblematic of mid-19th-century Great Lakes shipping. Owned by the Muir Bros. of Chicago, the Asia had been recently sold to the United States before its demise. Captain James Nicholson was its last recorded master.

HISTORY

The Asia was a key vessel in its era, serving in the robust coal transport trade across the Great Lakes. On September 5, 1866, the Schooner departed Erie, Pennsylvania, bound for Chicago, Illinois, with a cargo of 400 to 500 tons of coal. During its voyage, the ship encountered a violent storm accompanied by dense fog. This treacherous combination forced the vessel aground on Spectacle Reef in Lake Huron. Despite the ship’s relatively new and sturdy construction, the perilous conditions left the crew no choice but to abandon ship.

The crew used the Schooner’s Yawl to reach safety on Mackinac Island, where they reported no casualties. The cargo, partially salvageable, was a small consolation for the vessel’s ultimate loss.

FINAL DISPOSITION

After the grounding, only about one-third of the coal cargo was successfully recovered. By mid-October 1866, the Schooner was Abandoned at Spectacle Reef. With no further attempts at salvage, the Asia was left to deteriorate in the harsh underwater environment of Lake Huron.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

• Current Status: There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically associated with the Asia wreck site.

LOCATED BY & DATE

• Date of Grounding: September 5, 1866

• Evacuation: The crew Abandoned the vessel and reached safety on Mackinac Island shortly after the wreck.

• Coordinates: Specific GPS coordinates of the wreck site remain unrecorded.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

• The wreck of the Asia remains Abandoned, with no significant documentation regarding its present condition.

• The underwater site is likely to have experienced deterioration, given the extended period since the wreck’s abandonment in 1866.

• Accessibility: Details about diving or research access are unavailable.

RESOURCES & LINKS

1. Maritime History of the Great Lakes – Comprehensive shipwreck records.

2. David Swayze Shipwreck File – Database of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

3. Great Lakes Ships – Repository of historical information on vessels like the Asia.

TAGS

#Schooner #LakeHuron #1866Shipwreck #MaritimeHistory #SpectacleReef #GreatLakesWrecks

ANALYSIS

The story of the Asia exemplifies the harsh realities of 19th-century maritime navigation on the Great Lakes. Despite its robust construction and relative newness, the Schooner was no match for the tumultuous weather conditions that led to its grounding. The crew’s successful evacuation and partial salvage of the coal cargo highlight their resilience and quick action amidst perilous circumstances. The subsequent abandonment of the Asia suggests that the vessel sustained irreparable damage, rendering further salvage attempts unviable.

Today, the Asia resides in the annals of Great Lakes maritime history as a testament to the challenges of early shipping and the unpredictable power of Lake Huron’s waters.