Identification & Site Information:

•Name: M. STALKER

•Type: Wooden-Hulled Schooner

•Built: 1863, Milan, Ohio

•Builder: Captain H. Kelly

•Owner: A.P. Mowry

•Dimensions:

•Length: 135.0 feet (41.1 meters)

•Beam: 21.3 feet (6.5 meters)

•Depth: 10.3 feet (3.1 meters)

•Tonnage:

•Gross Tonnage: 267.91 tons

•Net Tonnage: 254.52 tons

•Final Resting Place: Approximately 1 mile below Mackinaw City, Michigan, in 16 fathoms (96 feet/29.3 meters) of water.

Vessel Type Description:

The M. STALKER was a wooden Schooner designed for the Great Lakes trade, constructed as a first-class vessel for transporting bulk commodities. Schooners like the M. STALKER were pivotal in the mid-19th century for the economic development of the region, frequently carrying goods such as lumber, grain, and ore.

History:

Commissioned by A.P. Mowry, the M. STALKER was built by Captain H. Kelly in 1863 in Milan, Ohio. It was an impressive vessel for its time, offering a combination of capacity, speed, and reliability.

The Schooner was captained by Captain Stalker, whose name the ship bore. For over two decades, the M. STALKER sailed the Great Lakes, transporting various cargos and earning a reputation as a durable and well-maintained vessel.

Final Disposition:

On November 6, 1886, while anchored about 1 mile below Mackinaw City, the M. STALKER was struck by a consort of a Canadian steam Barge. The collision occurred on the starboard bow, severely damaging the Schooner and causing it to sink rapidly. At the time, the vessel was laden with ore, which likely contributed to its swift descent to the lakebed.

The wreck lies in 16 fathoms (96 feet/29.3 meters) of water. Fortunately, all crew members were rescued, but the M. STALKER was a Total Loss.

Located By & Date:

There is no modern record of the wreck’s discovery or detailed exploration, and its condition on the lakebed remains undocumented.

NOTMARs & Advisories:

There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck site of the M. STALKER.

Resources & Links:

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes

•David Swayze Shipwreck File