Identification & Site Information

• Name(s): Augustus Handy
• Registry: Not documented
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
• Year Built: Not documented
• Year Sank: May 7, 1861
• Hull Material: Wood
• Dimensions
• Length: 126 ft (38.40 m)
• Beam: Not documented
• Depth: Not documented

Vessel History

The Augustus Handy was a sleek, well-crafted Schooner designed to navigate the Welland Canal, allowing it to travel between the Great Lakes and the Atlantic. Its cutwater bow and raked Stern reflect its design for speed and maneuverability.

On May 7, 1861, just weeks after the outbreak of the U.S. Civil War, the Augustus Handy was transporting 16,000 bushels of wheat from Chicago to Kingston, Ontario. After passing through the Straits of Mackinac, the ship encountered a severe storm near Spectacle Reef in Lake Huron. The vessel struck the reef, leading to its sinking in deep water. The crew survived, but the ship and its valuable cargo were lost.

The sinking of the Augustus Handy illustrates the perils of Great Lakes navigation, especially during spring storms, when unpredictable weather conditions often jeopardized the safe passage of cargo vessels.

Wreck Site Information

• Lake: Lake Huron
• State/Province: Michigan
• Depth: Not documented (described as deep water)
• Location: Near Spectacle Reef

3D Model – Augustus Handy

Shipwreck Augustus Handy – 1861 – New Discovery by BeckyKaganSchott on Sketchfab

Site Description:

The wreck of the Augustus Handy is remarkably well-preserved despite its age of over 160 years:

• Structural Features:

• The Hull remains intact, offering a rare glimpse of mid-19th-century Schooner construction.

• The cutwater bow and raked Stern are preserved, reflecting its sleek design.

• Artifacts and Equipment:

• Cargo: Some of the original golden wheat cargo is still visible in the holds.

• Crow’s Nest: Still attached to the aft mast, an uncommon feature for such an old wreck.

• Bow Features:

• Windlass: In place and intact.

• Wood-stock Anchors: Visible on the bow.

• Stern Features:

• Deadeyes: Rigging elements for securing shrouds are still present.

• Wooden Wheel: A perfect, intact wheel remains at the Stern, highlighting the vessel’s navigation system.

Diving Notes & Advisories

• Depth Consideration:

The exact depth of the wreck is not provided but is described as being in deep water. The site is likely accessible only to advanced technical divers with appropriate equipment for deep wreck exploration.

• Visibility:

Lake Huron’s cold, fresh waters often provide excellent preservation and Visibility, ideal for documenting such a historically significant wreck.

• Preservation Status:

The wreck is protected under Michigan’s maritime heritage laws. Divers should respect the site and avoid disturbing the vessel or its artifacts.

Site Significance

The Augustus Handy is a significant archaeological and historical resource, offering a pristine example of a mid-19th-century Schooner. Its intact Hull, rigging, and rare features like the crow’s nest and wooden wheel make it a unique site for studying maritime history and Great Lakes trade.

The presence of golden wheat in the cargo hold is a tangible link to the vessel’s final voyage and the agricultural economy that drove much of the region’s shipping during this period. The Handy’s sinking near the Straits of Mackinac, a critical bottleneck for Great Lakes navigation, underscores the challenges faced by vessels in one of the most treacherous areas of the lakes.

Keywords:

Augustus Handy shipwreck, Lake Huron schooners, Spectacle Reef wrecks, Great Lakes maritime history, 19th-century shipping, advanced technical diving.