Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Adirondack US 1385

Explore the wreck of the ADIRONDACK, a 19th-century wooden schooner that met its fate near South Manitou Island in Lake Michigan.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: ADIRONDACK
  • Type: Wooden, three-masted schooner
  • Year Built: 1862
  • Builder: John Oades, Clayton, New York
  • Dimensions: Length: 139 ft (42.37 m); Beam: 26 ft (7.92 m); Depth of hold: 11 ft (3.35 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 300 gross tons; 285 net tons
  • Location: South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan
  • Official Number: 1385
  • Number of Masts: 3

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden, three-masted schooner.

Description

The ADIRONDACK was a robust, wooden schooner constructed in 1862 in Clayton, New York, by shipbuilder John Oades. Measuring 139 feet in length, with a beam of 26 feet and a depth of 11 feet, the schooner was built to handle the tough conditions of the Great Lakes while transporting bulk cargo. She was registered at 300 gross tons and 285 net tons, a substantial vessel for her time. The ship was primarily engaged in transporting goods like bark, typical of many schooners operating out of Chicago during this period.

History

The ADIRONDACK spent over three decades navigating the often perilous waters of the Great Lakes, a vital conduit for the transport of raw materials and goods in the 19th century. Schooners like the ADIRONDACK were the workhorses of the Great Lakes, hauling everything from timber to agricultural products across vast stretches of water.

On September 14, 1893, while en route to Chicago carrying a load of bark, the ADIRONDACK encountered a heavy fog and gale near South Manitou Island in Lake Michigan. Struggling against worsening weather conditions, she became stranded. The crew managed to report the vessel’s predicament, and by September 20th, the schooner had been stripped of valuable materials and officially abandoned. Fortunately, there was no loss of life in the incident.

Significant Incidents

  • Stranded near South Manitou Island due to heavy fog and gale on September 14, 1893.
  • Officially abandoned by September 20, 1893, after being stripped of valuable materials.

Final Disposition

Stripped and abandoned after grounding near South Manitou Island.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Nil (No current data confirming the wreck’s precise discovery location).

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The ADIRONDACK is a representative of the hardworking schooners that dominated Great Lakes shipping in the late 19th century. Though her final voyage ended in stranding near South Manitou Island, her story is part of the rich maritime tapestry of Lake Michigan.