IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The GENERAL FRANZ SIGEL was a wooden schooner, originally built as a barkentine in 1862 by George Washington Jones at Black River, Ohio, for Jones & Hall of Cleveland, Ohio. The vessel measured 136.8 feet in length, 25.8 feet in beam, and 11.5 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 316 tons and a net tonnage of 301 tons. The GENERAL FRANZ SIGEL was one of the oldest vessels operating on the Great Lakes at the time of its sinking, having served for over 40 years.
3. HISTORY #
Launched in 1862, the GENERAL FRANZ SIGEL had a long and storied career on the Great Lakes. Originally built as a barkentine, it was later converted to a schooner and served primarily in the transportation of bulk goods, such as coal. On July 18, 1903, the vessel was en route from Huron to Sandusky, carrying 570 tons of coal, when it encountered a severe storm off Monroe, Michigan.
The crew, recognizing the severity of the storm, attempted to seek shelter in the port of Monroe. However, the vessel foundered in 22 feet of water, approximately 1.8 miles southeast of Stoney Point. The crew of five, including Captain W. J. Curtiss, his wife, and mate W. D. McGregor, sought refuge in the rigging and were eventually rescued by the United States survey boat GENERAL WILLIAMS. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but the vessel was a total loss.
In August 1904, the wreck of the GENERAL FRANZ SIGEL was deemed a navigation hazard near Toledo. Government engineers decided to dynamite the wreck to mitigate the danger it presented to other vessels navigating the area.
4. FINAL DISPOSITION #
The GENERAL FRANZ SIGEL lies in 28 feet of water off the coast of Monroe, Michigan, in Lake Erie. The wreckage was dynamited in August 1904 to reduce the hazard it posed to navigation. The remains of the vessel are scattered on the lakebed near the Monroe lighthouse, making it a challenging but interesting site for divers and maritime historians.
5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are related to this wreck site, though historically, the wreck was marked as a navigation hazard before it was dynamited.
6. LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreckage was identified following the sinking in July 1903. The decision to dynamite the wreck in August 1904 suggests that the site was a well-known hazard to ships operating in the area.
7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The wreck of the GENERAL FRANZ SIGEL is scattered and partially destroyed, lying at a depth of 28 feet. The dynamiting of the wreck has resulted in debris spread across the lakebed, making it a less intact site but still of historical interest. The relatively shallow depth makes it accessible to divers, though visibility and conditions may vary depending on the season and weather.
8. RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Primary Sources: Historical records, maritime incident reports, and the Merchant Vessel List of 1903.
- Further Reading:
9. CONCLUSION #
The sinking of the GENERAL FRANZ SIGEL on July 18, 1903, during a storm off Monroe, Michigan, marked the end of one of the oldest vessels on the Great Lakes. The crew’s successful rescue is a fortunate aspect of an otherwise tragic loss. The wreckage, now scattered and partially destroyed by dynamiting, serves as a historical site reflecting the perils of Great Lakes navigation and the eventual fate of aging vessels in challenging conditions.
10. TAGS #
- Tags: #GreatLakes #Shipwrecks #LakeErie #MaritimeHistory #Schooner #GeneralFranzSigel #StormAtSea #HistoricalShipwreck #UnderwaterExploration
