Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Annie Vought
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: Bailey Bros., Fairport, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length: 199 ft (60.7 m); Beam: 36 ft (11.0 m); Depth: 14 ft (4.3 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 680 tons; Net Tonnage: 666 tons
- Location: North side of South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 1588
- Number of Masts: Three-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled, three-masted schooner
Description
The Annie Vought was a substantial wooden schooner constructed in 1867 by Bailey Bros. in Fairport, Ohio. Designed for bulk cargo transport, she measured 199 feet in length and was primarily engaged in the coal trade across the Great Lakes. Throughout her service, she was involved in several incidents, including grounding on Spectacle Reef in 1867 and a collision with the bark Butcher Boy in 1872. Despite these events, she remained a workhorse vessel for over two decades.
History
On November 21, 1892, the Annie Vought was under tow by the steamer Inter-Ocean, transporting coal from Buffalo to Milwaukee. While navigating Lake Michigan, the vessels encountered a severe storm. The Annie Vought broke free from the towline and was driven ashore on the north side of South Manitou Island. The United States Life-Saving Service, with assistance from the revenue cutter Johnson, successfully rescued the eight-member crew using breeches buoys. The vessel was deemed a total loss, though some of the coal cargo was salvaged.
Significant Incidents
- Grounding on Spectacle Reef in 1867
- Collision with the bark Butcher Boy in 1872
Final Disposition
The Annie Vought was destroyed after grounding on the rocky shores of South Manitou Island during a storm. While portions of her cargo were recovered, the vessel itself was not salvageable and was left to deteriorate at the wreck site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There is no record of the Annie Vought’s wreck being located or explored by maritime archaeologists or divers. No current navigational warnings or advisories are associated with the wreck site of the Annie Vought. Given the time elapsed and lack of precise location data, the site does not pose a known hazard to navigation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”annie-vought-us-1588″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Annie Vought underscores the perils faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes, particularly during the volatile weather conditions of late autumn. Her grounding on South Manitou Island serves as a historical example of the challenges of towing operations in severe storms. 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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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