Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Amaretta Mosher
- Type: Wooden Schooner Barge
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: Ashtabula, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 300 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 7 m / 22 ft
- Location: Starve Island Reef, Lake Erie
- Coordinates: 41° 36.767′ N, 82° 48.900′ W
- Original Owners: J.S. Dunham, David Hutchinson, William H. Hutchinson, J.M. Shackett
- Number of Masts: Three masts (originally two)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Amaretta Mosher was a wooden schooner barge originally built as a two-masted vessel, later rebuilt with three masts. Constructed in 1867 in Ashtabula, Ohio, the vessel had a gross tonnage of 300 tons and a net tonnage of 285 tons. It was designed to handle bulk cargoes such as coal, lumber, and other materials across the Great Lakes. The schooner’s robust design, including its later modifications, reflected its long service life and adaptability for towing and independent cargo operations.
Description
The Amaretta Mosher sank at Starve Island Reef, marking the end of its long service history. The wreck lies in 22 feet of water, with remnants scattered on the reef. The wreckage reflects its final moments during the stormy conditions of late November 1902.
History
Built in 1867, the Amaretta Mosher served the Great Lakes for over three decades, transporting a variety of goods. The vessel’s ownership changed hands frequently, and it underwent significant repairs and modifications during its operational life.
Significant Incidents
- 1869: Collision with the schooner North Star in Chicago.
- 1871: Collided with the schooner H.C. Post on the Black River and the tug Babcock in Chicago.
- 1873: Damaged in a storm on Lake Michigan.
- 1879: Ran aground at Fighting Island in the Detroit River.
- 1893: Stranded with cedar cargo in Cheboygan, Michigan.
- Ownership Timeline:
- Owners included J.S. Dunham, David Hutchinson, William H. Hutchinson, and J.M. Shackett.
- By 1902, the schooner barge was primarily transporting coal.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Amaretta Mosher was reported immediately following its sinking in November 1902. The site is well-documented in historical records and known to local maritime historians and divers.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreckage of the Amaretta Mosher lies at a shallow depth of 22 feet (7 meters), making it accessible for divers. However, the remains are likely fragmented and partially buried in sediment. Despite its deteriorated state, the site offers a unique opportunity for exploration and research into 19th-century schooner barge construction and Great Lakes maritime history.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”amaretta-mosher” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Amaretta Mosher was a testament to the durability and adaptability of wooden schooner barges operating on the Great Lakes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite enduring numerous incidents and repairs, the vessel ultimately succumbed to the treacherous conditions of Lake Erie. Its wreck near Starve Island Reef provides both a historical artifact and a cautionary tale of the perils faced by Great Lakes mariners.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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