IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The San Jacinto was a wooden-hulled schooner built in 1856 in Buffalo, New York, by Benjamin B. Jones. Initially owned by Mixer & Brothers of Buffalo, the vessel was later transferred to the Lake Navigation Company. With a tonnage of 374.45 and a cargo capacity of 17,000 bushels, the San Jacinto was primarily used for transporting bulk goods, particularly corn. The schooner was known for its sturdy construction, which allowed it to serve as a reliable cargo vessel on the Great Lakes for over two decades.
HISTORY #
The San Jacinto had an eventful history marked by numerous incidents and ownership changes. The schooner was involved in several collisions, groundings, and other maritime mishaps throughout its service life. In 1858, ownership transferred to P.C. Sherman, and then to W.K. Watson in 1860. That same year, the vessel struck a bar in Chicago, Illinois, while navigating Lake Michigan.
Ownership of the schooner continued to change hands, with Conrad acquiring it in 1862, during which time the San Jacinto collided with the J.S. Sweeney and later with the bark Invincible in the St. Clair River. The vessel underwent a significant rebuild during the winter of 1870-71 at Hanson’s Yard in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, under the ownership of Mullen of Chicago.
The San Jacinto faced additional challenges, such as running ashore at Long Point Cut in Lake Erie in 1867 and losing its foremast near Waugoshance in the Straits of Mackinac in 1876. It also collided with the schooner Lake Forest while being towed by the lumber tug A.B. Ward.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The final voyage of the San Jacinto ended in tragedy on May 12, 1881. The vessel, owned at the time by O.B. Mullen of Chicago, was wrecked in foggy conditions after striking a rock near Yeo Island, about 8 miles northwest of Cove Island at the entrance to Georgian Bay in Lake Huron. The schooner was carrying a cargo of corn bound for Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from Collingwood, Ontario. The vessel foundered and sank, coming to rest at a depth of 75 feet in Lake Huron.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the San Jacinto is a well-known dive site and was discovered in the waters near Yeo Island. The exact date of its discovery is not recorded, but it remains a popular site for divers exploring the shipwrecks of Lake Huron.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
The site is a popular dive location with relatively easy access. Divers should be cautious of potential currents and ensure they are properly equipped for diving at depths of up to 75 feet.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: http://www.baillod.com/shipwreck/swayze/
- Labbie Collection: https://greatlakeships.org/2907793/data?grd=4085
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca/
CONCLUSION #
The San Jacinto served as a vital cargo schooner on the Great Lakes for over 25 years before meeting its end on the rocky shores near Yeo Island. The vessel’s history is a testament to the challenges faced by mariners navigating the often-treacherous waters of the Great Lakes. Today, the wreck of the San Jacinto offers a glimpse into the past for divers and maritime history enthusiasts alike.
KEYWORDS #
San Jacinto, Great Lakes Shipwreck, Schooner, Yeo Island, Lake Huron, Maritime History, Shipwreck Diving, Georgian Bay
