Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: A.C. Maxwell
• Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge
• Year Built: 1870
• Builder:
• Dimensions: Length X ft; Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 469 tons (approx. 425.5 metric tonnes)
• Location: Woolworth's Dock, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
• Official Number: Not available

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden schooner-barge, a type of vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries for transporting bulk cargoes.

Description

The A.C. Maxwell was a wooden schooner-barge designed for the transportation of bulk goods across the Great Lakes. Such vessels were integral to commerce in the region, facilitating the movement of essential commodities between ports.

History

Built in 1870, the A.C. Maxwell served as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes for 38 years. On November 5, 1908, while moored at Woolworth’s Dock in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, the vessel was struck by the steel steamer R.W. England, which had gone out of control. The collision sheared off 20 feet (6.1 metres) of the A.C. Maxwell’s bow, rendering her a total loss. The vessel had previously sunk in 1883 and 1885; in the 1885 incident near Goderich, Ontario, Canadian fishermen rescued her crew and were later awarded lifesaving medals by the U.S. Lifesaving Service.

Significant Incidents

• Collision with the steel steamer R.W. England on November 5, 1908, resulting in a total loss.
• Previous sinkings in 1883 and 1885, with the 1885 incident involving a rescue by Canadian fishermen.

Final Disposition

The A.C. Maxwell was declared a total loss following the 1908 collision and was abandoned in place at Woolworth’s Dock.

Current Condition & Accessibility

There is no available information indicating that the wreck of the A.C. Maxwell has been located or identified in modern times. There are no current navigational markers or advisories related to the wreck site.

Resources & Links

The A.C. Maxwell’s wreck underscores the hazards faced by schooner-barges navigating the often treacherous waters of the Great Lakes. While the vessel’s remains have not been located, its story contributes to the rich maritime history of the region.