IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Chickamauga was a wooden schooner-barge, a type of vessel used primarily for the transportation of bulk cargoes such as iron ore on the Great Lakes. Schooner-barges like the Chickamauga were built to be towed by steamers, allowing for greater cargo capacity without the need for independent propulsion. At the time of its launch in 1898, the Chickamauga was the largest schooner on the Great Lakes, specifically designed to meet the demands of the iron ore trade.
HISTORY #
The Chickamauga was constructed in 1898 by the renowned shipbuilder James Davidson in West Bay City, Michigan. With a length of 322 feet and a gross tonnage of 2,472 tons, it was the largest schooner on the Great Lakes at the time of its launch. The vessel was specifically designed for the iron ore trade, serving as a critical link in the transportation of ore from the Upper Great Lakes to industrial centers.
Throughout its operational life, the Chickamauga encountered several incidents, a testament to the harsh and unpredictable nature of Great Lakes navigation. In 1908, the vessel was involved in a collision with the disabled steamer Samuel Mitchell during a fog near Ashland, Wisconsin. Both vessels sustained damage, but were eventually repaired and returned to service.
On September 12, 1919, the Chickamauga embarked on what would be its final voyage. The vessel was downbound on Lake Huron, being towed by the steamer Centurion. As they neared the harbor at Harbor Beach, Michigan, the Chickamauga encountered a severe storm with massive waves. The vessel began to take on water after springing a leak, and despite the crew’s efforts, it eventually foundered just outside the harbor.
At the time of the sinking, the Chickamauga was carrying a cargo of iron ore. Fortunately, all 11 crew members on board were rescued, and no lives were lost in the incident. The vessel’s owner at the time, Mentor Transit Co., faced the loss of both the ship and its valuable cargo.
In the aftermath of the sinking, the wreckage of the Chickamauga posed a hazard to navigation, leading to its partial removal by dynamite in 1920. The exact depth at which the vessel sank is not recorded, but the wreck was located approximately one mile off Harbor Beach, Michigan, in Lake Huron.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The Chickamauga sank on September 12, 1919, after encountering a severe storm and springing a leak just outside the harbor at Harbor Beach, Michigan. The vessel was partially dynamited and removed in 1920 to eliminate navigational hazards. The remains of the Chickamauga are believed to have settled in the area where it foundered, though much of the wreckage was cleared.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the Chickamauga was located shortly after it sank, approximately one mile off Harbor Beach, Michigan, in Lake Huron. The wreck was dynamited and mostly removed in 1920.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the Chickamauga. However, mariners navigating near Harbor Beach, Michigan, should be aware of the historical presence of wrecks in the area and exercise caution.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Great Lakes Ships Database: Great Lakes Ships
- Bowling Green State University Archives: Bowling Green State University
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database
CONCLUSION #
The Chickamauga represents the significant role that large schooner-barges played in the industrial supply chain of the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite its impressive size and capacity, the vessel met a tragic end in 1919, succumbing to the forces of nature on Lake Huron. The subsequent dynamiting and removal of the wreck in 1920 serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges posed by shipwrecks to navigation. The Chickamauga‘s story remains a part of the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes, highlighting both the advances in shipbuilding and the risks faced by those who sailed these inland seas.
KEYWORDS #
- Chickamauga schooner-barge
- Lake Huron shipwreck
- Harbor Beach Michigan
- Great Lakes maritime history
- 19th-century schooner
- Iron ore transport
GPS COORDINATES & ADDITIONAL INFO #
Specific GPS coordinates for the wreck site of the Chickamauga are not available. Continued research and exploration may provide more precise information about the location and condition of any remaining wreckage. Maritime historians and divers interested in the history of the Great Lakes should keep an eye out for any updates related to this significant vessel.
