Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Addie B. (pre-1888)

Explore the story of the Addie B., a 19th-century schooner lost in Lake Huron, highlighting the challenges of Great Lakes navigation.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Addie B.
  • Type: Schooner
  • Year Built: Pre-1888
  • Dimensions: Not specified
  • Registered Tonnage: Not specified
  • Location: Near Caseville, Michigan, Lake Huron
  • Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Addie B. was a small, wooden trading schooner designed to transport goods across the Great Lakes. Featuring two masts and a single deck, it was typical of 19th-century schooners built to navigate the inland waterways efficiently. Such vessels were crucial to the maritime economy, transporting lumber, produce, and other cargo between ports and contributing to the growth of regional industries.

Description

The Addie B. was actively involved in Great Lakes trade by the late 19th century, serving as a vital link in the transport of goods for Michigan’s burgeoning economy. Schooners like the Addie B. were instrumental in connecting remote communities along the lakes, delivering essential goods and materials to support industry and daily life.

History

On November 28, 1888, the Addie B. encountered disaster while navigating near Caseville, Michigan. Stranding on a sandbar, the schooner was unable to free itself from the perilous shallow waters. The vessel succumbed to the harsh conditions, breaking in two and suffering a total loss.

The crew managed to salvage most of the cargo, which consisted of produce, highlighting their resourcefulness in a desperate situation. Despite the loss of the schooner, this partial recovery provided some economic relief. The incident, reported in the Port Huron Daily Times on December 3, 1888, underscores the risks faced by mariners and the economic importance of schooners like the Addie B. during this period.

Significant Incidents

  • The Addie B. was declared a total loss after breaking apart on a bar near Caseville, Michigan.
  • Although its cargo was salvaged, the vessel could not be saved.

Final Disposition

The remains of the Addie B. are now part of the rich tapestry of shipwrecks that document the challenges of Great Lakes navigation in the 19th century.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The site of the Addie B.‘s wreck has not been formally surveyed or documented in modern times. There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) associated with the wreck, and its exact location remains uncertain.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The loss of the Addie B. near Caseville, Michigan, serves as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by schooner crews navigating the Great Lakes in the late 19th century. While its final moments reflect the hazards of shallow waters and sudden weather changes, the partial salvage of its cargo highlights the resilience of the sailors who plied these inland seas. The Addie B.‘s story is an enduring chapter in the maritime history of Lake Huron and the Great Lakes.