Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

A.C. Pierce (1887)

Explore the wreck of the A.C. Pierce, a wooden schooner-barge lost in a storm on Lake Michigan in 1915.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: A.C. Pierce
  • Type: Wooden schooner-barge
  • Year Built: 1887
  • Dimensions: Length X ft; Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: Not specified
  • Location: South Fox Island, Lake Michigan
  • Official Number: Not available

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden schooner-barge.

Description

The A.C. Pierce was a 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.

History

Built in 1887, the A.C. Pierce served as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes for 28 years. On August 15, 1915, while carrying a load possibly consisting of fruit, the vessel encountered a severe storm on Lake Michigan. The storm caused the A.C. Pierce to strand on the shore of South Fox Island, where it was subsequently broken up by waves. Details regarding the fate of the crew at the time of loss are not specified in the available records.

Significant Incidents

  • Stranded during a storm on August 15, 1915.

Final Disposition

The A.C. Pierce was declared a total loss following the incident. There are no records indicating that any part of the vessel was salvaged or that the wreck was recovered.

Current Condition & Accessibility

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

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

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