Site Description

• Vessel Type: Schooner
• Dimensions: 126 feet (40 meters) in length
• Depth of Wreck: 160 feet (51 meters)
• Location: Nine Mile Point, Lake Huron
• Coordinates: N45°29.150’ W83°50.550’

History

The F.T. Barney was a two-masted wooden Schooner constructed in 1856 by W. Cheney in Vermilion, Ohio. At 126 feet long, 26 feet wide, and 11 feet deep, it had a Gross Tonnage of 255 tons and was registered under the official number 9535. The vessel, owned by Lewis Wells of Vermilion, was primarily used for transporting various goods across the Great Lakes.

Notable Incidents

• 1857: The Schooner ran aground near Goderich, Ontario, with a cargo of Railroad Iron and wood. It was successfully towed to Detroit and repaired.
• 1862: The vessel was stranded near Bayfield, Lake Huron, sustaining damages that led to repairs costing $6,500.

Final Voyage

On October 23, 1868, the F.T. Barney departed Cleveland bound for Milwaukee with an unspecified cargo. While navigating near Rogers City, Michigan, below Nine Mile Point, it collided with the Schooner T.J. Bronson. The F.T. Barney sank rapidly, within two minutes.

Remarkably, all crew members survived. The wreck was struck by multiple passing vessels before its final resting place was discovered. The wreck of the F.T. Barney was found in 1987 in near-pristine condition, lying upright in 160 feet of water with masts, Deck equipment, and structural features intact.

Current Status

The F.T. Barney is one of the best-preserved Schooner wrecks of its time and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. The wreck is a popular dive site and a valuable piece of maritime history. Its intact structure provides a glimpse into the craftsmanship of mid-19th-century schooners.

External Links

• Thunder Bay Marine Sanctuary
• Shipwreck Explorers
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• YouTube Search: F.T. Barney Shipwreck Dive
• 3DShipwrecks – F.T. Barney
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Bowling Green State University Great Lakes Maritime Collection

3D Model

Conclusion

The F.T. Barney, despite its tragic sinking, has become a treasured artifact of maritime history. The wreck’s excellent preservation provides insights into the Schooner era and is a must-visit site for divers and maritime historians. Its location at Nine Mile Point and the intact condition of its remains make it a standout example of 19th-century shipbuilding.

Keywords

#FTBarney #LakeHuronShipwreck #NineMilePoint #GreatLakesHistory #SchoonerWreck #MaritimeHeritage #PreservedShipwreck

Youtube – Terry Irvine