Shipwreck Report: Schooner GRAMPIAN #
IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
- Vessel Name: Grampian
- Vessel Type: Schooner
- Built: Date and builder not specified (referenced in 1948)
- Final Location: Davidson’s Shipyard, Bay City, Michigan
- Final Disposition: Lay abandoned at Davidson’s shipyard as of 1948
- Coordinates: Not specified
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Grampian was a schooner, a type of sailing vessel widely used on the Great Lakes during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Schooners typically had two or more masts and were favored for their speed and ability to sail close to the wind. They were a common sight on the Great Lakes, where they carried a variety of cargoes, including timber, grain, and coal.
HISTORY #
Little is known about the Grampian’s early history, including its exact construction date, builder, or original owners. By the mid-20th century, the vessel had become obsolete, like many other schooners of its time, and was left to deteriorate at Davidson’s shipyard in Bay City, Michigan. Schooners had largely been replaced by more modern steam-powered vessels by this time, relegating many of them to the scrap yard or abandonment.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
As of 1948, the Grampian was reported to be lying abandoned at Davidson’s shipyard in Bay City, Michigan. Its exact fate after this time is unclear, but it is likely that the vessel was eventually dismantled or left to decay. The Grampian’s abandonment at the shipyard marks the end of its service on the Great Lakes, a common outcome for many schooners that had outlived their usefulness.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
- Located by: The Grampian was documented as being at Davidson’s shipyard by a visitor in 1948.
- Date of Discovery: Specific discovery dates are not documented.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or obstructions related to the Grampian’s final resting place.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Davidson’s Shipyard Archives: For more detailed records on the Grampian’s final years.
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Offers a broader context for vessels like the Grampian.
- Bay City Maritime History: Local archives may provide additional information on the vessel’s fate.
CONCLUSION #
The Grampian schooner, abandoned at Davidson’s shipyard in Bay City, Michigan, serves as a poignant reminder of the decline of the sailing era on the Great Lakes. With the rise of steam-powered vessels, many schooners like the Grampian were left to decay, marking the end of a significant chapter in Great Lakes maritime history.
KEYWORDS #
Grampian schooner, Great Lakes shipwrecks, Bay City maritime history, Davidson’s Shipyard, Great Lakes schooners, sailing vessels, maritime decline
