ACONTIAS U1394

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Identification & Site Information #

Wreck Name: Acontias
Wreck Type: Wooden Schooner
Official Number: 1394
Dimensions: 136.5 feet in length, 25.8 feet in beam, 10.5 feet in depth
Gross Tonnage: 264.4 tons (after rebuilding)
Location: Presque Isle, Lake Huron, Michigan
Date of Loss: October 29, 1887

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Vessel Type Description #

The Acontias was a two-masted wooden schooner built in 1856 in Oswego, New York. Schooners were widely used on the Great Lakes for their versatility in carrying various types of cargo, particularly bulk goods like grain and lumber. The vessel was initially owned by Avery & Baker of Oswego and had a single deck, making it a typical example of mid-19th century American schooner design. The Acontias was constructed robustly to handle the demanding conditions of the Great Lakes.

History #

The Acontias had a storied history marked by several incidents and multiple changes in ownership. Built in 1856, the schooner was primarily used for transporting goods across the Great Lakes. Early in its career, the Acontias faced several challenges, including collisions and groundings, which were not uncommon for vessels navigating the busy and often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes.

One of the first major incidents occurred on June 1, 1860, when the Acontias was damaged in a collision with the propeller Globe near Bar Point, Ontario, at the mouth of the Detroit River. The collision caused significant damage to the schooner, but it managed to survive and continue operations. Just a few years later, on August 27, 1863, the vessel ran aground at Stony Point, Michigan, also in the Detroit River. Fortunately, the schooner was able to get free from the grounding and continue its journey. However, later that same year, the Acontias was wrecked at Colchester, Ontario, another incident that added to the vessel’s tumultuous history.

Perhaps the most significant incident in the schooner’s history occurred when it struck a rock off Clay Banks near the mouth of the Detroit River in Lake Erie. The collision was severe enough to cause the Acontias to sink, resulting in the total loss of both the vessel and its valuable cargo of wheat. This tragedy underscored the dangers of navigating the Great Lakes and highlighted the need for improved navigational aids, such as permanent lightships or the removal of underwater hazards like the rock that caused the Acontias‘s sinking.

Despite these setbacks, the Acontias was rebuilt in 1866 in Detroit, with its dimensions slightly altered and its gross tonnage recorded at 264.4 tons. Ownership of the vessel changed hands multiple times throughout its life, reflecting the schooner’s continued usefulness in the Great Lakes trade. By 1887, the Acontias was owned by John P. Clark of Detroit and continued to operate as a cargo carrier.

The final chapter of the Acontias came on October 29, 1887, when the schooner met its end on the shores of Presque Isle, Michigan, in Lake Huron. The Acontias was part of a tow, along with the barges Lottie Mason and Moss, when a storm forced all three vessels ashore. The Acontias and Moss were carrying lumber from Cheboygan to Detroit, while the Lottie Mason was bound for Buffalo. The storm’s fury proved too much for the vessels, and despite efforts to save them, they were wrecked. The crew of the Lottie Mason had to be rescued by the Middle Island life-saving crew after being stranded in the rigging for five hours, adding a dramatic end to the Acontias‘s long and eventful history.

Final Disposition #

The Acontias was lost on October 29, 1887, when it ran aground and was wrecked at Presque Isle, Michigan, in Lake Huron. The schooner, along with the barges Lottie Mason and Moss, succumbed to the forces of a severe storm while carrying lumber. The vessel’s remains are believed to lie near Presque Isle, marking the end of its 31-year career on the Great Lakes.

NOTMARs & Advisories #

Current Status: The wreck site is not extensively documented or marked for recreational diving. Caution is advised for mariners and divers operating in the area.

Located By & Date #

Discovered: The wreck has not been formally located or explored in modern times. Its approximate location is based on historical accounts.

Resources & Links #

Great Lakes Ships: Ship Information
Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Explore Great Lakes Maritime History
David Swayze Shipwreck File: Shipwreck Records

Conclusion #

The Acontias is a vessel with a rich and eventful history, marked by numerous incidents, changes in ownership, and ultimately, a tragic end on the shores of Lake Huron. Despite the challenges it faced, the schooner served as a vital part of the Great Lakes maritime trade for over three decades. The story of the Acontias serves as a reminder of the risks and dangers that ships and sailors endured while navigating the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes in the 19th century.