IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: Charles P. Minch

• Type: Wooden Schooner

• Builder: Isaac W. Nicholas, Vermillion, Ohio

• Year Built: 1867

• Original Owner: Philip Minch, Cleveland, Ohio

• Dimensions:

• Length: 154.7 feet (47.1 meters)

• Beam: 28.2 feet (8.6 meters)

• Depth: 11.8 feet (3.6 meters)

• Tonnage:

• Gross: 408.21 tons

• Net: 387.8 tons

• Hull Material: Wood

• Number of Decks: 1

• Number of Masts: 3

• Final Cargo: Lumber

• Year Sank: October 27, 1898

• Wreck Location: Tecumseh Cove, Cove Island, Georgian Bay, Lake Huron

• Coordinates: Approximate—Tecumseh Cove, near Tobermory

• Depth: 20–60 feet (6–18 meters)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Charles P. Minch was a classic wooden Schooner crafted for the rugged trade routes of the Great Lakes. With three masts, a single Deck, and a sturdy wooden Hull, it exemplified the Schooner design of the 19th century. Its construction was tailored to the heavy demands of transporting cargo such as lumber and stone across the often-turbulent waters of the Great Lakes. The Schooner was later equipped with a Centerboard for improved navigation, though this feature was lost during a storm in Lake Michigan.

HISTORY

The Charles P. Minch had a storied career spanning 31 years, navigating the Great Lakes under various owners. Built in 1867 for Philip Minch of Cleveland, Ohio, the vessel played an integral role in the booming timber and stone trade of the late 19th century.

• Ownership and Operations:

Initially owned by Minch, the vessel changed hands several times, with later owners including Gilchrist of Vermillion and C.W. Elphicke of Chicago. Despite numerous challenges, the Schooner remained a reliable workhorse for transporting lumber, a critical commodity in the region.

• Significant Incidents:

• In 1893, the Charles P. Minch ran ashore near Whitefish Point, Lake Superior, with a cargo of stone. Temporary repairs were carried out at Sault Ste. Marie before extensive restoration in Superior, Wisconsin.

• In 1895, the Schooner grounded on Grand Island, further testing its durability.

• In 1896, heavy weather in Lake Michigan caused the vessel to lose its Centerboard, a critical navigational aid.

Despite these setbacks, the Schooner continued to operate until its final voyage in 1898.

FINAL DISPOSITION

On October 27, 1898, the Charles P. Minch encountered its last storm while carrying lumber bound for Chicago. Gale-force winds and rough seas drove the vessel ashore at Tecumseh Cove on Cove Island in Georgian Bay, Lake Huron. The Schooner broke apart in the surf, resulting in its Total Loss. Thankfully, no lives were reported lost during the incident.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The wreck of the Charles P. Minch is a known site in Tecumseh Cove, near Cove Island, Georgian Bay. The location has been documented for many years, with its depth and accessibility making it a popular dive site.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

• Obstruction Alert: The wreck lies in waters ranging from 20 to 60 feet, potentially posing a hazard to small craft navigation.

• Advisory: Divers should exercise caution, as the site features debris and may include shifting sand or sediment.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The remains of the Charles P. Minch are scattered in shallow waters, making it a favored site for recreational diving and historical exploration. Visibility varies with seasonal conditions, but the wreck’s accessibility in relatively shallow depths provides an excellent opportunity for divers to explore 19th-century maritime construction and Great Lakes history.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive details on shipwrecks and vessels.

• Great Lakes Ships Database: In-depth records of vessels like the Charles P. Minch.

• Bowling Green State University – Great Lakes Ships Database: Historical archives and records of Great Lakes shipping.

• 3D Shipwrecks: Interactive and visual resources (no specific listing for Charles P. Minch yet).

KEYWORDS

• Charles P. Minch

• Schooner wreck

• Lake Huron shipwreck

• Georgian Bay shipwreck

• Tecumseh Cove

• Great Lakes lumber trade

• 19th-century Schooner

• Tobermory wreck diving

CONCLUSION

The Charles P. Minch serves as a poignant symbol of the Great Lakes’ rich maritime history. Its 31 years of service exemplify the resilience and utility of schooners in supporting the burgeoning economies of the 19th century. Despite its robust construction and dedicated crew, the Schooner met its end on the rocky shores of Cove Island in 1898, a testament to the unyielding challenges posed by the Great Lakes.

Today, the wreck of the Charles P. Minch continues to capture the imagination of divers and maritime historians, preserving the legacy of a vessel that played a crucial role in the industrial growth of the region.