Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Birdie US 3143

Explore the wreck of the Birdie, a two-masted schooner lost in a storm in 1892, now a part of Lake Huron’s maritime history.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Birdie
  • Type: Schooner
  • Year Built: 1881 (some records indicate 1878)
  • Builder: Sheboygan, Wisconsin
  • Dimensions: Length 47 ft (14.3 m); Beam 11 ft (3.4 m); Depth of hold 3 ft (0.9 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: Gross 13 tons; Net 12 tons
  • Location: Hammond Bay, Lake Huron (eastern Straits of Mackinac)
  • Coordinates: Not available
  • Official Number: US 3143
  • Original Owners: Bronte, Ontario
  • Number of Masts: Two-masted

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Type: Two-masted wooden schooner

Purpose: Fishing and general sailing on the Great Lakes

Description

The Birdie was built in 1881 (or 1878, according to conflicting reports) in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Measuring 47 feet in length, 11 feet in beam, and 3 feet in depth, it was a modest but capable vessel for its time. The schooner had a gross tonnage of 13 and a net tonnage of 12. Its primary role was as a fishing schooner, serving in Bronte, Ontario, a bustling fishing hub on Lake Ontario.

History

The Birdie was part of Bronte’s vibrant fishing fleet during the late 19th century. This fleet predominantly consisted of two-masted schooners, often mackinaw-rigged, creating a picturesque scene as their masts lined the harbor piers every Saturday. The Birdie stood as a smaller but integral member of this fleet, symbolizing the era of sailing ships dominating Lake Ontario’s waters.

In 1892, the Birdie met its unfortunate end in Hammond Bay, Lake Huron. A severe storm, occurring on either October 7 or 9, dragged the schooner ashore. Despite the destruction of the vessel, there were no reported casualties.

Significant Incidents

  • 1892: The Birdie was wrecked in Hammond Bay during a severe storm.

Final Disposition

Following the wreck, salvage attempts were made, and in November 1892, the Birdie was purchased in hopes of recovery. However, by the following summer, these efforts were abandoned, and the Birdie was declared lost.

The ship’s legacy lives on as a reminder of Bronte’s rich maritime history and the transition from sail-powered vessels to motorized fishing boats in the early 20th century.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Birdie is submerged in Hammond Bay, Lake Huron. Divers are encouraged to practice no-touch documentation methods and to respect the site, leaving only bubbles and taking only memories.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”birdie-us-3143″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

As you explore the wreck of the Birdie, remember to be the diver that makes a difference by leaving the site better than you found it and respecting the maritime heritage of the Great Lakes.

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

  • Type: Schooner
  • Length: 14.3 m (47 ft)
  • Beam: 3.4 m (11 ft)
  • Depth: 0.9 m (3 ft)
  • Gross Tonnage: 13 tons
  • Net Tonnage: 12 tons
  • Location: Hammond Bay, Lake Huron (eastern Straits of Mackinac)
  • Deaths: None reported
  • GPS Coordinates: Not available
  • Name: Birdie
  • Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
  • Purpose: Fishing and general sailing on the Great Lakes
  • Home Port: Bronte, Ontario
  • Construction Year: 1881 (some records indicate 1878)
  • Builder: Sheboygan, Wisconsin

CONSTRUCTION AND OWNERSHIP

The Birdie was built in 1881 (or 1878, according to conflicting reports) in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Measuring 47 feet in length, 11 feet in beam, and 3 feet in depth, it was a modest but capable vessel for its time. The schooner had a gross tonnage of 13 and a net tonnage of 12. Its primary role was as a fishing schooner, serving in Bronte, Ontario, a bustling fishing hub on Lake Ontario.

HISTORY

The Birdie was part of Bronte’s vibrant fishing fleet during the late 19th century. This fleet predominantly consisted of two-masted schooners, often mackinaw-rigged, creating a picturesque scene as their masts lined the harbor piers every Saturday. The Birdie stood as a smaller but integral member of this fleet, symbolizing the era of sailing ships dominating Lake Ontario’s waters.

In 1892, the Birdie met its unfortunate end in Hammond Bay, Lake Huron. A severe storm, occurring on either October 7 or 9, dragged the schooner ashore. Despite the destruction of the vessel, there were no reported casualties.

FINAL DISPOSITION

Following the wreck, salvage attempts were made, and in November 1892, the Birdie was purchased in hopes of recovery. However, by the following summer, these efforts were abandoned, and the Birdie was declared lost.

The ship’s legacy lives on as a reminder of Bronte’s rich maritime history and the transition from sail-powered vessels to motorized fishing boats in the early 20th century.

REFERENCES & LINKS

The Birdie was a schooner that was built in 1881 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Measuring 47 feet in length, 11 feet in beam, and 3 feet in depth, it had a gross tonnage of 13 and a net tonnage of 12. This two-masted wooden vessel was primarily used for fishing and sailing on the Great Lakes. birdie-us-3143 1882-11-14 07:48:00