IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: TOKIO

•Type: Four-Masted Wooden Schooner

•Build Date: 1889

•Builder: Captain James Davidson

•Hull Number: 23

•Official Number: 145507

•Dimensions:

•Length: 222 feet 2 inches (67.74 meters)

•Beam: 38 feet (11.58 meters)

•Depth of Hold: 16 to 19 feet (4.88 to 5.79 meters)

•Tonnage: 1385.49 gross tons, 1316.22 net tons

•Hatches: Six, measuring 11’x28’ on 24’ centers

•Final Resting Place: Below Edison coal dock, East China, Michigan, St. Clair River

•Coordinates:
42.7540000°, -082.4751167°. near Recors Road, East China, Michigan

•Depth of Wreckage: Main section in 19 feet (5.79 meters) of water, some portions rising to 14 feet (4.27 meters); adjacent flattened section in 25-30 feet (7.62-9.14 meters).

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The TOKIO was a robust four-masted Schooner built to transport bulk commodities such as iron ore across the Great Lakes. Captain James Davidson’s shipyard in Michigan was known for constructing large, durable schooners, and the TOKIO was no exception. The vessel’s design reflected the needs of the late 19th-century shipping industry, combining significant cargo capacity with efficient handling for towage by steamers.

HISTORY

Construction and Ownership:

The TOKIO, built in 1889, was named after the early spelling of Tokyo, Japan, consistent with Davidson’s tradition of naming vessels after distant locations. Over its 28 years of service, it changed hands several times, with owners including:

•Menominee Transportation Co., Milwaukee

•N.S. Whipple, Detroit

•Henry Wineman Jr., Detroit

•Pringle Barge Line, Cleveland

Service Record:

The Schooner primarily operated as an iron Ore Carrier on the Great Lakes, a crucial role in the industrial economy of the time.

Notable Incidents:

1.July 1892: While under tow near Mackinaw by the R.P. FLOWER, the Steamer began to take on water and was grounded to prevent sinking. The TOKIO was cut loose and escaped harm.

2.August 1892: The Schooner ran aground near Grosse Point while being towed by the Steamer RALEIGH. It had to be lightened to refloat.

Final Voyage:

On October 9, 1917, the TOKIO collided with the Barge HOMER in the St. Clair River and sank. Although salvaged, it was deemed beyond repair. It was Abandoned for two years before being scuttled in 1919 near East China, Michigan, below the Edison coal dock.

FINAL DISPOSITION

•1940: The wreck was charted by the War Department Corps of Engineers due to its location posing a navigational hazard.

•1963: The wreck was dynamited by the Corps of Engineers during a period of low water levels to create a minimum depth of 14 feet for safe navigation.

The main Hull lies in a north-south orientation with a double Hull rising up to 14 feet in 19 feet of water. An adjacent wreck section lies east-west, flattened but offering space beneath the Deck that provides a habitat for fish. Much of the wreck remains buried in the sediment.

CURRENT CONDITION & DIVING

•Accessibility: Diving is possible from the shore with permission from nearby homeowners or by boat.

•Site Features: The main wreck structure is visible, with parts of the Hull and decking intact. The surrounding area supports aquatic life, making it an interesting dive site for both historical and ecological exploration.

•Depth: 19 feet for the main section; deeper sections range between 25 and 30 feet.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

There are no active Notices to Mariners related to the TOKIO wreck, but the area is shallow and can be hazardous to vessels. Divers should approach with caution and consult local regulations.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: A detailed record of Great Lakes shipwrecks, including the TOKIO.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Information on Davidson-built schooners and other Great Lakes vessels.

•NOAA Charts: Updated navigational charts for the St. Clair River region.

•Local Diving Resources: Guides and permits for exploring the wreck from East China, Michigan.

CONCLUSION

The TOKIO represents a fascinating chapter in Great Lakes shipping history. Its decades of service, its abandonment, and the subsequent dynamiting of the wreck illustrate the evolving priorities and challenges of maritime operations in the region. Today, the wreck serves as both a historical artifact and an ecological site, drawing interest from divers and historians alike.

KEYWORDS

TOKIO, James Davidson, Four-Masted Schooner, St. Clair River Wreck, East China Michigan, Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Iron Ore Carrier, Scuttled Vessel, Navigation Hazards, Diving Sites.