IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
2. VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Asia was a schooner built in 1864 or 1865, although some reports suggest it may have been the same vessel built in 1858 by Muir at Port Dalhousie. With an approximate tonnage of 380 tons, the Asia was considered the “largest canal class” vessel of its time. The schooner was designed to carry substantial cargo, including coal, across the Great Lakes. It was owned by Muir Bros. of Chicago and was recently sold to the United States at the time of its sinking. The master of the vessel was Captain James Nicholson.
3. HISTORY #
The Asia was a significant vessel for its time, particularly noted for its size among canal-class schooners. On September 5, 1866, the Asia encountered a severe storm while en route from Erie, Pennsylvania, to Chicago, Illinois, carrying 400 to 500 tons of coal. In the midst of fog and rough seas, the schooner ran aground on Spectacle Reef in Lake Huron. Despite the vessel’s new and sturdy construction, the crew was forced to abandon ship. They managed to reach safety on Mackinac Island using the vessel’s yawl. The crew successfully escaped without any reported casualties.
4. FINAL DISPOSITION #
Following the grounding, only about one-third of the Asia’s cargo was recovered before the vessel was ultimately abandoned in mid-October 1866. The schooner was left on Spectacle Reef, with no further attempts to salvage the remaining cargo or the vessel itself. The wreck remains at the site, though specific details about its current condition are unknown.
5. NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the Asia.
6. LOCATED BY & DATE #
The Asia ran aground on Spectacle Reef in Lake Huron on September 5, 1866. The crew reached safety on Mackinac Island shortly thereafter. The exact coordinates of the wreck are not provided.
7. CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The current condition of the Asia is not detailed in available reports. The wreck was abandoned, and it is likely that it has deteriorated over time. No specific details are available regarding its accessibility for diving or research.
8. RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – A comprehensive resource for shipwrecks in the Great Lakes.
- David Swayze Shipwreck File – A database of shipwrecks including details on the Asia.
- Great Lakes Ships – Information on ships that have operated on the Great Lakes.
9. TAGS #
- Schooner
- Lake Huron
- 1866
- Shipwreck
- Maritime History
- Spectacle Reef
10. ANALYSIS #
The wreck of the Asia serves as a reminder of the dangers that even the sturdiest of vessels faced on the Great Lakes. Despite being a new and robust ship, the Asia succumbed to the treacherous conditions of Lake Huron, specifically the combination of fog and rough seas that led to its grounding on Spectacle Reef. The successful evacuation of the crew and the partial recovery of its cargo highlight the resilience and resourcefulness of those involved. The abandonment of the Asia shortly after its grounding suggests that the vessel was too damaged to warrant further salvage attempts. Today, the Asia remains part of the underwater history of the Great Lakes, a relic of the maritime challenges of the 19th century.
