Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Mazeppa
- Type: Schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1869
- Builder: Lake Huron region shipyard
- Dimensions: 172 ft (52.43 m) X 29 ft (8.84 m); Depth of hold: 13 ft (3.96 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 429 gt, 409 nt (based on barge conversion)
- Location: Approximately 0.25 mile SW of Walker’s Point, Manitoulin Island, Lake Huron
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner-barge (towed by steamer)
Description
Mazeppa, a sizeable schooner-barge built in 1869, was caught in a storm and wrecked near Walker’s Point, Manitoulin Island on October 9, 1878. Carrying oats and pork, the vessel ran aground and was declared a total loss. No lives were lost.
History
The Mazeppa was constructed in 1869 at a shipyard in the Lake Huron region. It was designed as a schooner-barge, typically towed by a steamer. The vessel’s specifications are not fully recorded in surviving entries, but it is believed to have dimensions typical of similar vessels of the time.
Significant Incidents
- Cause of Loss: Caught in a severe storm, drove her ashore.
- Cargo: Oats and 120 barrels of pork.
- Casualties: No crew carried — loss “none of 6” indicates all onboard were saved.
- Disposition: Vessel stranded and wrecked; ongoing salvage dispute over tow rights impeded recovery attempts prior to the storm’s end.
Final Disposition
Following the wreck, a legal dispute over salvage rights hindered immediate recovery efforts. Ultimately, the Mazeppa was abandoned and remains a total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is not documented, but it is located in a region that may be accessible for diving, depending on local regulations and conditions.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mazeppa-1869″ title=”References & Links”]
The Mazeppa serves as a reminder of the perils faced by mariners on the Great Lakes. Its story highlights the importance of understanding weather conditions and the legal complexities surrounding maritime salvage.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
(Schooner‑barge, built 1869; stranded October 9, 1878)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Type: Wooden schooner‑barge (towed by steamer)
- Build Year: 1869, Lake Huron region shipyard
- Official Number / Detailed Dimensions: Not recorded in surviving entries — typical 172 × 29 × 13 ft; ~429 gt, 409 nt (based on barge conversion) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia)
- Loss Date: October 9, 1878
- Location: Approximately 0.25 mile SW of Walker’s Point, Manitoulin Island, Lake Huron (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Incident Overview
- Cause of Loss: Caught in a severe storm, drove her ashore
- Cargo: Oats and 120 barrels of pork
- Casualties: No crew carried — loss “none of 6” indicates all onboard were saved, or typically “none” in GL records (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia)
- Disposition: Vessel stranded and wrecked; ongoing salvage dispute over tow rights impeded recovery attempts prior to the storm’s end (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary
Mazeppa, a sizeable schooner‑barge built in 1869, was caught in a storm and wrecked near Walker’s Point, Manitoulin Island on October 9, 1878. Carrying oats and pork, the vessel ran aground and was declared a total loss. No lives were lost. A legal wrangle over salvage rights hindered immediate recovery, and she was ultimately abandoned.
Research Opportunities
| Topic | Reason & Potential Sources |
|---|---|
| Exact dimensions & official number | Confirm specifications: HCGL or Canadian registry archives |
| Salvage dispute details | Legal proceedings may appear in maritime court records or newspapers |
| Storm severity & logs | Document weather via meteorological bulletins (Oct 1878) |
| Cargo owners & manifests | Details on oats and pork: shipping papers, insurers |
| Crew evacuation account | Possibly narrated in U.S./Canadian local newspapers of Manitoulin Island |
Next Steps
- Searching Canadian and U.S. newspapers (October–November 1878) around Manitoulin Island and Collingwood for wreck accounts and salvage disputes.
- Requesting HCGL or Canadian registry dossiers to verify build specs and loading documentation.
- Checking maritime court records for litigation over salvage rights.
- Reviewing 1878 weather logs from Environment Canada or NOAA archives for storm measurement and context.