Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Annie C. Raynor
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1858
- Builder: D. O’Connor
- Dimensions: 363 gross tons; specific dimensions not recorded
- Registered Tonnage: 363 gross tons
- Location: Middle Island, Lake Huron
- Official Number: None documented
- Number of Masts: Two or more masts
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled schooner
Description
The Annie C. Raynor was a wooden schooner built in 1858 by shipbuilder D. O’Connor in Buffalo, New York. Designed for cargo transport, she primarily operated on the Great Lakes, facilitating trade between key ports such as Buffalo and Chicago. Her construction reflected the maritime engineering practices of the mid-19th century, emphasizing durability and capacity to navigate the often treacherous conditions of the Great Lakes.
History
Commissioned in 1858, the Annie C. Raynor served as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes, a critical component of the region’s transportation infrastructure during that era. Her operations contributed to the economic development of port cities by enabling the movement of goods, particularly coal, which was a vital energy source at the time.
On November 19, 1863, while transporting coal from Buffalo to Chicago, the Annie C. Raynor encountered a severe gale on Lake Huron. The storm conditions caused her to ground on Middle Island. Despite the crew’s efforts, the vessel was battered by the waves and ultimately broke apart. Fortunately, there were no reported fatalities resulting from the incident.
Subsequent to the wreck, the tug Kate Williams was dispatched to the site. By the end of November, the tug had successfully salvaged the Annie C. Raynor’s sails and gear, stripping the wreck of valuable components. This salvage operation was a common practice during the period, aimed at recovering usable materials from shipwrecks.
Significant Incidents
- Grounded on Middle Island during a severe gale on November 19, 1863.
- No reported fatalities from the incident.
- Salvaged by the tug Kate Williams shortly after the wreck.
Final Disposition
The Annie C. Raynor was declared a total loss following the grounding incident. The salvage of her equipment marked the end of her service. There is no record of the hull being recovered or repurposed, and it is presumed that the remains were left at the wreck site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of current records, there is no documentation indicating that the wreck of the Annie C. Raynor has been located or explored by maritime archaeologists or divers.
There are no known navigational warnings or advisories related to the wreck site of the Annie C. Raynor. Given the passage of time and lack of precise location data, the site does not pose a known hazard to navigation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”annie-c-raynor-1858″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Annie C. Raynor serves as a historical example of the challenges faced by maritime commerce on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Her loss underscores the perils of lake navigation, particularly during severe weather conditions. While the exact location of her wreck remains unknown, the incident contributes to the broader narrative of shipwrecks that have shaped the maritime history of the region.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Annie C. Raynor
- Former Names: Also recorded as Anna C. Raynor
- Official Registry Number: None documented
- Date Built & Launched: 1858, constructed by D. O’Connor in Buffalo, New York
- Measurements: 363 gross tons; specific dimensions not recorded
- Date Lost: November 19, 1863
- Location of Loss: Grounded on Middle Island, Lake Huron
- Cargo at Time of Loss: Coal
- Voyage Details: En route from Buffalo, New York, to Chicago, Illinois
- Final Disposition: Wrecked and dismantled
- Located By & Date Found: Not documented
- NOTMARs & Advisories: No current navigational warnings or advisories(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, es.findagrave.com)
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled schooner(Wikipedia)
Description
The Annie C. Raynor was a wooden schooner built in 1858 by shipbuilder D. O’Connor in Buffalo, New York. Designed for cargo transport, she primarily operated on the Great Lakes, facilitating trade between key ports such as Buffalo and Chicago. Her construction reflected the maritime engineering practices of the mid-19th century, emphasizing durability and capacity to navigate the often treacherous conditions of the Great Lakes.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
History
Commissioned in 1858, the Annie C. Raynor served as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes, a critical component of the region’s transportation infrastructure during that era. Her operations contributed to the economic development of port cities by enabling the movement of goods, particularly coal, which was a vital energy source at the time.
On November 19, 1863, while transporting coal from Buffalo to Chicago, the Annie C. Raynor encountered a severe gale on Lake Huron. The storm conditions caused her to ground on Middle Island. Despite the crew’s efforts, the vessel was battered by the waves and ultimately broke apart. Fortunately, there were no reported fatalities resulting from the incident.(linkstothepast.com)
Subsequent to the wreck, the tug Kate Williams was dispatched to the site. By the end of November, the tug had successfully salvaged the Annie C. Raynor’s sails and gear, stripping the wreck of valuable components. This salvage operation was a common practice during the period, aimed at recovering usable materials from shipwrecks.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Disposition
The Annie C. Raynor was declared a total loss following the grounding incident. The salvage of her equipment marked the end of her service. There is no record of the hull being recovered or repurposed, and it is presumed that the remains were left at the wreck site.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Located By & Date Found
As of current records, there is no documentation indicating that the wreck of the Annie C. Raynor has been located or explored by maritime archaeologists or divers.
NOTMARs & Advisories
There are no known navigational warnings or advisories related to the wreck site of the Annie C. Raynor. Given the passage of time and lack of precise location data, the site does not pose a known hazard to navigation.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – Annie C. Raynor: https://greatlakesrex.wordpress.com/r/(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Conclusion
The Annie C. Raynor serves as a historical example of the challenges faced by maritime commerce on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Her loss underscores the perils of lake navigation, particularly during severe weather conditions. While the exact location of her wreck remains unknown, the incident contributes to the broader narrative of shipwrecks that have shaped the maritime history of the region.
Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms
- Keywords: Annie C. Raynor, Lake Huron shipwreck, 19th-century schooner, Great Lakes maritime history, Middle Island wreck
- Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Disasters of the 1800s, Coal Transport Vessels
- Glossary Terms:
- Schooner: A type of sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically with the foremast shorter than the mainmast.
- Grounding: The event of a ship running aground, or touching the bottom, often leading to damage or wreck.
- Salvage: The act of recovering a ship or its cargo after a shipwreck or other maritime accident.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Note: Due to the lack of precise location data and the time elapsed since the wreck, there is no shore dive information available for the Annie C. Raynor.
annie-c-raynor-1858 1863-11-19 22:03:00