Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: ANDREW J. RICH
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder: Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo, New York
- Dimensions: Length 138 ft (42.06 m); Beam 26 ft (7.92 m); Depth of hold 11 ft (3.35 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 374 tons
- Location: Near Kincardine, Ontario, Lake Huron
- Official Number: None
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner
Description
The ANDREW J. RICH was a wooden schooner constructed in 1856 by Bidwell & Banta in Buffalo, New York. Measuring 138 feet (42.06 metres) in length with a beam of 26 feet (7.92 metres) and a depth of 11 feet (3.35 metres), she registered at 374 gross tons. Designed for cargo transport, she was primarily engaged in the grain trade across the Great Lakes. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
History
On November 10, 1864, the ANDREW J. RICH was navigating Lake Huron carrying a cargo of 17,000 bushels of wheat. During her voyage, she encountered a severe storm and was driven ashore near Kincardine, Ontario. Efforts were made to rescue the vessel; the tug DISPATCH attempted to assist but was unsuccessful. The schooner was abandoned on November 14 and subsequently reported broken up by November 28. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Significant Incidents
- November 10, 1864: The ANDREW J. RICH was lost during a storm on Lake Huron.
- November 14, 1864: The vessel was abandoned after unsuccessful rescue attempts.
- November 28, 1864: The schooner was reported broken up.
Final Disposition
The ANDREW J. RICH was declared a total loss following the storm. There are no records indicating salvage operations or recovery efforts subsequent to the incident.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Nil – The wreck of the ANDREW J. RICH has not been definitively located or confirmed in modern times.
Resources & Links
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The loss of the ANDREW J. RICH underscores the perils faced by schooners operating on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Her sinking near Kincardine, Ontario, serves as a testament to the challenges of maritime navigation in the region, particularly the risks posed by sudden and severe storms.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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