Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

Identification Card (Site Style)

Description

The *Havana* was a two-masted schooner of roughly **135–136 ft**, built in **1871** at Oswego, NY. Her 306 ton capacity suited her for bulk freight such as iron ore. A common design among Great Lakes trading schooners, she featured prominent centerboards and robust hull construction to weather the variable lake conditions.

History

During her career, the Havana ran aground off Forester, Michigan in **1885** but was successfully salvaged and returned to service. On **3 October 1887**, while transporting iron ore from Escanaba to St. Joseph, she was caught in severe storm conditions. Unable to safely enter the harbor, the captain anchored outside, but the vessel sprang leaks. The schooner drifted northward until she eventually sank in approximately **50–52 ft of water**, some **6 miles north of St. Joseph**.

Final Dispositions

The Havana foundered slowly, allowing her crew to climb into the rigging. Tragically, when the mainmast collapsed, Captain Curran, cook John Morse, and seaman Joseph Clint drowned. The remaining four survivors were rescued by the tug Hannah Sullivan.

Located By & Date Found

Not a lost wreck later rediscovered—though the wreck lies shallow (≈50 ft), and scuba-accessible. Documented by regional preservation groups, the site remains of interest for scuba divers and archaeological surveys. :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}

Notmars & Advisories

No historical Notices to Mariners found regarding this wreck. Given its inshore location and partial fragmentation, it likely posed minimal hazards beyond local navigation concerns.

Dive Information

Access: Boat or shore launch near St. Joseph
Entry Point: South to north dive, reaching ~50 ft site mark
Conditions: Cold freshwater, limited currents, visibility dependent on turbidity
Depth Range: 50–52 ft (15–16 m)
Emergency Contacts: Local marine safety or coast guard out of St. Joseph, MI
Permits: Likely not required—site not designated protected area, but verify with Michigan’s historical preservation office
Dive Support: Local dive shops in St. Joseph may support; Southwest Michigan Underwater Preserve includes this site 

Crew & Casualty Memorials

Three perished: Captain John Curran, John Morse, Joseph Clint. No formal memorial found online. Further research into local archives (e.g., Berrien County records or newspapers) could uncover obituaries or commemorative registers.

Documented Statements & Extracts

No direct quotes found. Available sources provide narrative summaries of events, ship specifications, and survivor outcomes.

Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails

Registry records (e.g., Great Lakes vessel enrolment or insurance files) may yield additional technical and ownership data. Not currently located in online databases—recommend querying maritime registries and local historical archives.

Site Documentation & Imaging

No photographic or survey documentation located. The wreck is referenced in the Southwest Michigan Underwater Preserve as a rubble wreck with exposed hull elements including keelson, centerboard, and hanging knees—likely subject to informal dive site mapping

Image Gallery

Resources & Links

• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association – Havana
• Southwest Michigan Underwater Preserve
• Explore Michigan’s Shipwrecks Map
• Wikipedia – List of Shipwrecks in October 1887
• 3DShipwrecks – Havanna

References

• Detailed incident and specifications: World record of Havana’s loss, crew loss, cargo, and sinking conditions 
• Dimensions, tonnage, and build data: Schooner built in Oswego 1871, 135–136 ft, 306 tons19}
• Survivor rescue details: Tug *Hannah Sullivan* rescued four, three drowned

NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card