Mazeppa (1869)

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

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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.