IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Wreck Name: D.L. COUCH (formerly ACORN)
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Date of Incident: July 17, 1872
• Location: Approximately 10 miles off Long Point, Lake Erie
• Coordinates: (Exact coordinates not provided)
• Depth: 120 feet (37 meters)
• Condition: Submerged and partially intact; significant as a dual-identity vessel.

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The D.L. COUCH was a wooden-hulled Schooner constructed in 1855 at Oswego, New York, by Walter Scott and A. Miller. Unique in its construction, the Schooner was built on the remains of an earlier vessel, the ACORN, incorporating its Hull. Measuring 119 tons (old measurement style) with a single Deck and two masts, the D.L. COUCH was celebrated for its craftsmanship and utility. It was primarily used for transporting coal and other cargo across the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

• 1855: Launched in Oswego, New York, and owned by John E. Mulford. Its maiden voyage carried plaster and merchandise to Toronto.
• 1860: Ownership transferred to Gross, Pulver & Co., Oswego.
• 1866-1868: Sold to J.C. Maddock of Gananoque, Ontario, and later to owners in New Baltimore, Michigan.
• 1871: Became a Canadian vessel under James Riley of Detroit.
• July 17, 1872, the D.L. COUCH encountered a severe storm on Lake Erie. Carrying a load of coal, it Foundered approximately 10 miles from Long Point, sinking to a depth of 120 feet. Of the crew, two lives were lost, but others were rescued by the Schooner CITIZEN.

Connection to the ACORN

The D.L. COUCH holds unique historical significance due to its connection to the ACORN, an older vessel deemed unseaworthy and Abandoned near Oswego. Built using the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of the ACORN, the D.L. COUCH represents 19th-century practices of ship recycling and adaptation.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The wreck of the D.L. COUCH, lying at 120 feet, is a significant maritime artifact, providing insights into shipbuilding techniques of the time. It serves as a testament to both its original form as the ACORN and its transformation into the D.L. COUCH.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are issued for the site. Divers should exercise caution due to the depth and historical nature of the wreck.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck was documented shortly after its sinking in 1872 through historical accounts. Precise coordinates are not available but are approximated at 10 miles off Long Point, Lake Erie.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The wreck lies in 120 feet (37 meters) of water, accessible primarily to experienced deep-water divers. While submerged for over a century, the remnants of the D.L. COUCH offer a rare opportunity to explore a vessel with a dual identity and significant historical value.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• David Swayze Shipwreck File – D.L. COUCH & ACORN
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Files
• History of the Great Lakes
• Kenneth R. Pott – Master’s Thesis on Maritime History

CONCLUSION

The D.L. COUCH, originally built as the ACORN, is a fascinating case of 19th-century maritime engineering and resourcefulness. Its history—from its origins in Oswego, New York, to its tragic sinking in Lake Erie—illustrates the resilience and challenges faced by schooners in the Great Lakes. Now resting at the bottom of Lake Erie, the wreck serves as a time capsule, offering valuable insights into the practices and perils of Great Lakes shipping.

TAGS#GreatLakes #Shipwrecks #LakeErie #MaritimeHistory #Schooner #DLCouch #Acorn #HistoricalShipwreck #UnderwaterExploration