Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

A.H. Moss (1863)

Explore the wreck of the A.H. Moss, a wooden schooner-barge lost in a storm on Lake Huron in 1887.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: A.H. Moss
  • Type: Wooden schooner-barge
  • Year Built: 1863
  • Dimensions: Length 140 ft (42.7 m); Beam 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth of hold 12 ft (3.7 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 304 tons (approx. 275.8 metric tonnes)
  • Location: Near Presque Isle, Lake Huron
  • Official Number: Not available

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden schooner-barge

Description

The A.H. Moss was a wooden schooner-barge, a type of vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century for transporting bulk cargoes such as lumber. These vessels were typically towed by steamers and were integral to the commerce of the region.

History

Constructed in 1863, the A.H. Moss served as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes for 24 years. On October 29, 1887, while carrying a load of lumber, the vessel was in tow of the steamer Elfin-Mere when it encountered a severe storm on Lake Huron. The A.H. Moss broke loose from its towline and drifted for two days and a night in heavy seas before coming ashore near Presque Isle. The crew was rescued by the tug Annie Moiles. The vessel was reported ashore, waterlogged, and declared a total loss.

Significant Incidents

  • October 29, 1887: The A.H. Moss was lost in a storm while in tow of the steamer Elfin-Mere.

Final Disposition

The A.H. Moss 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.H. Moss has been located or identified in modern times. There are no current navigational markers or advisories related to the wreck site of the A.H. Moss.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

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