Identification & Site Information

•Wreck Name: Addie B.

•Wreck Type: Schooner

•Build Date: Pre-1888

•Dimensions: Not specified

•Gross Tonnage: Not specified

•Location: Near Caseville, Michigan, Lake Huron

•Date of Loss: November 28, 1888

Vessel Type Description

The Addie B. was a small, wooden trading Schooner designed to transport goods across the Great Lakes. Featuring two masts and a single Deck, it was typical of 19th-century schooners built to navigate the inland waterways efficiently. Such vessels were crucial to the maritime economy, transporting lumber, produce, and other cargo between ports and contributing to the growth of regional industries.

History

The Addie B. was actively involved in Great Lakes trade by the late 19th century, serving as a vital link in the transport of goods for Michigan’s burgeoning economy. Schooners like the Addie B. were instrumental in connecting remote communities along the lakes, delivering essential goods and materials to support industry and daily life.

On November 28, 1888, the Addie B. encountered disaster while navigating near Caseville, Michigan. Stranding on a sandbar, the Schooner was unable to free itself from the perilous shallow waters. The vessel succumbed to the harsh conditions, breaking in two and suffering a Total Loss.

The crew managed to salvage most of the cargo, which consisted of produce, highlighting their resourcefulness in a desperate situation. Despite the loss of the Schooner, this partial recovery provided some economic relief. The incident, reported in the Port Huron Daily Timeson December 3, 1888, underscores the risks faced by mariners and the economic importance of schooners like the Addie B. during this period.

Final Disposition

The Addie B. was declared a Total Loss after breaking apart on a bar near Caseville, Michigan. Although its cargo was salvaged, the vessel could not be saved. Its remains are now part of the rich tapestry of shipwrecks that document the challenges of Great Lakes navigation in the 19th century.

NOTMARs & Advisories

•Current Status: The site of the Addie B.’s wreck has not been formally surveyed or documented in modern times. There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) associated with the wreck, and its exact location remains uncertain.

Located By & Date

•Discovery: There is no specific record of the Addie B.’s wreck being discovered or explored. Historical accounts, including the newspaper report from 1888, are the primary sources of information about the incident.

Resources & Links

•Great Lakes Ships: Provides detailed information on similar schooners and shipwrecks.

•Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Explore Great Lakes Maritime History

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Shipwreck data repository.

Conclusion

The loss of the Addie B. near Caseville, Michigan, serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by Schooner crews navigating the Great Lakes in the late 19th century. While its final moments reflect the hazards of shallow waters and sudden weather changes, the partial salvage of its cargo highlights the resilience of the sailors who plied these inland seas. The Addie B.’s story is an enduring chapter in the maritime history of Lake Huron and the Great Lakes.

Keywords

#AddieB #LakeHuronShipwrecks #CasevilleMichigan #SchoonerWrecks #19thCenturyMaritimeHistory #GreatLakesTradeVessels #GreatLakesShipwrecks