Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Benjamin Flint
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1857
- Builder: Not specified
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Registered Tonnage: Not specified
- Location: Lake Michigan, several miles north of Manistee, Michigan
- Coordinates: Not publicly disclosed
- Official Number: Not available
- Original Owners: Not specified
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Benjamin Flint was a wooden-hulled schooner, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Schooners were favored for their cargo capacity and maneuverability, making them ideal for transporting bulk goods such as lumber, grain, and other commodities across the lakes.
Description
Specific details regarding the Benjamin Flint‘s dimensions and tonnage are not readily available. However, as a schooner built in 1857, she would have been constructed primarily of wood and designed for the transportation of bulk cargoes. The vessel’s design would have included multiple masts rigged fore-and-aft, allowing for efficient navigation of the Great Lakes’ often challenging conditions.
History
In November 1870, the Benjamin Flint was en route from Manistee, Michigan, to Chicago, Illinois, carrying a cargo of lumber and timbers. During the voyage, the vessel encountered a sudden northerly squall, a common and dangerous weather phenomenon on the Great Lakes. The storm caused the schooner to capsize, resulting in the loss of two crew members. The vessel broke apart, and her hull drifted ashore in pieces several miles north of Manistee. The incident underscores the perils faced by maritime operations on the Great Lakes, where sudden and intense storms could quickly overwhelm vessels.
Significant Incidents
- November 1870: The Benjamin Flint capsized in a northerly squall, resulting in the loss of two crew members.
Final Disposition
Following the incident, the Benjamin Flint was declared a total loss. There is no available information regarding salvage operations or the current state of the wreck.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of current records, there is no publicly available information indicating that the wreck of the Benjamin Flint has been located or surveyed.
Resources & Links
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The loss of the Benjamin Flint in 1870 highlights the challenges faced by maritime operations on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Despite advancements in shipbuilding and navigation, vessels remained vulnerable to the region’s unpredictable and often severe weather conditions. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of continued vigilance and respect for the power of nature in maritime activities.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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