Shipwreck Report: Brig SANDUSKY and Brig ROBERT EMMETT

Identification & Site Information

• Name(s): SANDUSKY (uncertain identity, possibly ROBERT EMMETT)

• Type: Brig

• Date of Incident:

• SANDUSKY: January 31, 1857 (reported sinking)

• Unidentified Brig: September 24, 1856

• Location: The Straits of Mackinac, Great Lakes

• Coordinates: Not specified

• Depth: Wreckage reported with top-masts visible at the surface

• Cargo: Wheat (SANDUSKY)

• Loss of Life: Seven lives reported lost (SANDUSKY)

• Value: Property worth $18,000 (SANDUSKY)

Vessel Type Description

Both the SANDUSKY and the ROBERT EMMETT were wooden-hulled brigs, commonly used during the mid-19th century for the transportation of bulk goods such as wheat across the Great Lakes. These two-masted sailing vessels were designed to handle large cargoes while maintaining maneuverability, essential for navigating the often unpredictable weather of the Great Lakes.

History

The sinking of a Brig in the Straits of Mackinac during stormy weather led to confusion about the vessel’s identity. Both the SANDUSKYand ROBERT EMMETT were reported to have encountered severe weather in the region, leading to speculation about which vessel was lost.

1. The SANDUSKY:

• On January 31, 1857, it was reported that the Brig SANDUSKY, carrying a cargo of wheat, sank in the Straits during a gale. Seven crew members lost their lives, and the property loss was valued at $18,000.

• Earlier reports suggest the SANDUSKY was sailing from Chicago to Buffalo. However, conflicting accounts questioned whether the SANDUSKY was the vessel observed sunk months earlier.

2. Unidentified Brig (Believed to be SANDUSKY or ROBERT EMMETT):

• On September 24, 1856, the Schooner L.M. MASON reported passing a Brig in the Straits during a storm. The crew was seen clinging to the rigging, but due to the severe weather, no assistance could be rendered.

• Following this sighting, speculation arose that the sunken vessel might have been the SANDUSKY. However, visitors to the wreck site where the top-masts were visible suggested it could be the ROBERT EMMETT, not the SANDUSKY.

3. Uncertainty and Reports:

• As of October 4, 1856, no definitive news about the fate of the SANDUSKY had emerged, leaving its status and the identity of the sunken Brig unresolved. Both vessels were active in the Great Lakes trade during this period, contributing to the confusion.

Final Disposition

• SANDUSKY: Presumed lost in the Straits of Mackinac during the gale of January 31, 1857. The wreck location is uncertain, and it may overlap with the unidentified Brig seen earlier.

• ROBERT EMMETT: Believed by some to be the vessel observed by the L.M. MASON in September 1856, though no definitive evidence has confirmed this.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to these wrecks. The lack of precise wreckage locations suggests no modern navigational hazards are linked to these incidents.

Located By & Date

The wreckage of an unidentified Brig, believed to be either the SANDUSKY or the ROBERT EMMETT, was sighted by visitors to the Straits shortly after the storm in September 1856. However, neither vessel’s identity nor precise location has been conclusively documented.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreckage observed in 1856 with top-masts visible has likely degraded over time or been submerged entirely due to shifting currents and sediment. Any remaining artifacts from either vessel are presumed to rest on the lakebed, awaiting further exploration.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Great Lakes Ships Database

Conclusion

The sinking of the Brig in the Straits of Mackinac remains one of the more enigmatic maritime incidents of the mid-19th century on the Great Lakes. The conflicting accounts about the identities of the SANDUSKY and the ROBERT EMMETT highlight the challenges of maritime reporting and documentation in an era before advanced communication and navigation tools. While the exact wreck and its identity remain unresolved, the tragedy underscores the perilous conditions faced by sailors on the Great Lakes.

Keywords

#SANDUSKY #ROBERTEMMETT #Brig #StraitsOfMackinac #GreatLakesShipwrecks #MaritimeHistory #19thCenturyShipping #Storms #UnidentifiedWrecks #LakeHuron