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
[shotline_reference_links slug=”benjamin-flint-1857″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
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.
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.
Identification & Site Information
- Name: Benjamin Flint
- Former Names: None reported
- Official Registration Number: Not available
- Date Built & Launched: 1857
- Builder: Not specified
- Construction: Wooden-hulled schooner
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Tonnage: Not specified
- Date Lost: November 1870
- Location of Loss: Lake Michigan, several miles north of Manistee, Michigan
- Coordinates: Not publicly disclosed
- Cargo at Time of Loss: Lumber and timbers
- Cause of Loss: Capsized in a northerly squall
- Crew: 2 fatalities reported
- Final Disposition: Total loss; hull drifted ashore in pieces
- Owner at Time of Loss: Not specified
- Sources: Great Lakes Shipwreck Files
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.
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.
Located By & Date Found
As of current records, there is no publicly available information indicating that the wreck of the Benjamin Flint has been located or surveyed.
NOTMARs & Advisorie
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories related to the Benjamin Flint. Mariners operating in the vicinity of Manistee, Michigan, should consult the latest nautical charts and local notices for any updates.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
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.
Suggested Keywords & Categories
Keywords: Benjamin Flint, schooner, Lake Michigan shipwreck, 1870 squall, lumber cargo
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Great Lakes Maritime History, 19th-Century Schooners, Maritime Disasters
Glossary Terms:
- Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically with the foremast shorter than the mainmast, used extensively on the Great Lakes for cargo transport.
- Squall: A sudden, sharp increase in wind speed lasting minutes, often associated with active weather such as rain showers or thunderstorms.
- Capsize: When a vessel overturns in the water.
- Total Loss: A term indicating that a vessel is damaged beyond repair or recovery.
Shore Dive Information
Given that the Benjamin Flint‘s wreck has not been located and is presumed to have deteriorated over time, there is no shore dive information available for this site.
benjamin-flint-1857 1870-11-21 15:25:00