Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: AZOV
- Type: Wooden Schooner
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder: J. Simpson, Wellington Square, Ontario
- Dimensions: Length 108 ft (32.9 m); Beam 24 ft (7.3 m); Depth 10 ft (3.0 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 195 tons
- Location: Lake Huron, approximately 15 miles off Pointe Aux Barques, Michigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The AZOV was a wooden schooner, a type of sailing vessel frequently used in the 19th century for transporting goods across the Great Lakes. Its modest size and construction made it suitable for navigating the vast waterways, but like many schooners, it was vulnerable to the severe storms that plagued the region.
Description
The AZOV was built in 1866 by J. Simpson in Wellington Square, Ontario, and registered in Canada. It operated primarily in the Great Lakes, serving as a reliable cargo vessel. Its service history includes:
History
1870 Collision: In July 1870, the AZOV collided with the propeller ship BRISTOL in Lake Ontario and sank. The vessel was salvaged, repaired, and returned to service.
1911 Final Voyage: On October 22, 1911, the AZOV met its end during a severe storm on Lake Huron. Loaded with deadheads (sunken logs) from Gore Bay, Manitoulin, the schooner became waterlogged and sprang a leak. The crew abandoned the ship, escaping in a lifeboat. After drifting for several days, the ship broke apart on Belcher Reef, southwest of Port Elgin.
Significant Incidents
The Crew’s Escape and Legacy: The crew of six, led by Captain John McDonald, managed to survive the ordeal. They rowed across the lake and landed near their homeport of Goderich, Ontario. Captain McDonald, a seasoned mariner, commanded several ships during his career, including the AZOV. His legacy is memorialized in Maitland Cemetery, where the names of six ships he commanded, including the AZOV, are inscribed on his tombstone.
The AZOV holds the distinction of being the last schooner lost on the Saugeen coast. Its wreck serves as a historical marker of the Great Lakes’ tumultuous maritime history.
Final Disposition
•Date of Loss: October 22, 1911
•Cause: Sprang a leak and capsized during a storm; abandoned by the crew.
•Final Resting Place: Drifted ashore and broke apart on Belcher Reef, southwest of Port Elgin.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) for the AZOV wreck site. However, the site is recognized for its historical significance, with potential remnants scattered around Belcher Reef.
Resources & Links
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The story of the AZOV reflects the resilience of mariners and the challenges of navigating the Great Lakes during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite its loss, the schooner’s legacy endures through the survival of its crew and the memories of its long service. The AZOV is a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by sailors and the indelible mark left by schooners on Great Lakes history.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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