Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: C.K. Dixon
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1869
- Builder: Dean, Detroit, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length 103 ft (31.4 m); Beam 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth of hold 8 ft (2.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 149 tons
- Location: On or near Middle Island, Lake Huron
- Coordinates: Not recorded
- Official Number: 33616
- Original Owners: Multiple owners including Robert Wallace and James Wallace
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The C.K. Dixon was a two-masted wooden schooner built in Detroit in 1869, typical of mid-size cargo carriers of the lumber trade. Her moderate size and rig made her practical for Great Lakes commerce, especially transporting lumber, cedar, and general cargo to regional ports.
Description
The C.K. Dixon worked primarily out of Detroit, with multiple owners and cargo contracts over her short life. Between 1870 and 1874, she was frequently homeported in Detroit, then transferred to Port Huron in 1875 under Robert Wallace of Grindstone City, Michigan.
In 1876, she was sold to F. Waters of Detroit, and by late 1877, was owned by James Wallace, also of Detroit. The schooner endured at least one major collision on October 3, 1876, with the schooner Zach Chandler in Lake St. Clair, after which she was repaired and returned to service.
History
On October 1, 1877, the C.K. Dixon was driven ashore near Middle Island, Lake Huron, in a storm while carrying a cargo of cedar posts. Although her equipment was salvaged with help from the schooner Carrington, the hull was abandoned as a total loss.
Significant Incidents
- October 3, 1876: Major collision with the schooner Zach Chandler in Lake St. Clair, resulting in repairs.
Final Disposition
Wrecked on or near Middle Island, Lake Huron, and abandoned October 1, 1877.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Unknown. If the remains survive, they are likely broken and buried in the dynamic nearshore sand and gravel of Middle Island.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”c-k-dixon-us-33616″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the C.K. Dixon illustrates the vulnerability of schooners in the unpredictable storms of Lake Huron, even in the relatively protected areas near Middle Island. Although she served reliably for eight years, her end was typical of wooden sail vessels caught in sudden gales while transporting lumber products vital to the Great Lakes economy.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: C.K. Dixon
- Official Number: 33616
- Year Built: 1869
- Builder: Dean, Detroit, Michigan
- Vessel Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Hull Material: Wood
- Number of Decks: 1
- Length: 31.4 metres (103 feet)
- Beam: 7.9 metres (26 feet)
- Depth: 2.4 metres (8 feet)
- Gross Tonnage: 149 tons
- Final Cargo: Cedar posts
- Date Lost: October 1, 1877
- Final Location: On or near Middle Island, Lake Huron
- Coordinates: Not recorded
- Depth: Unknown
Vessel Type Description
The C.K. Dixon was a two-masted wooden schooner built in Detroit in 1869, typical of mid-size cargo carriers of the lumber trade. Her moderate size and rig made her practical for Great Lakes commerce, especially transporting lumber, cedar, and general cargo to regional ports.
History
The C.K. Dixon worked primarily out of Detroit, with multiple owners and cargo contracts over her short life. Between 1870 and 1874, she was frequently homeported in Detroit, then transferred to Port Huron in 1875 under Robert Wallace of Grindstone City, Michigan.
In 1876, she was sold to F. Waters of Detroit, and by late 1877, was owned by James Wallace, also of Detroit. The schooner endured at least one major collision on October 3, 1876, with the schooner Zach Chandler in Lake St. Clair, after which she was repaired and returned to service.
On October 1, 1877, the C.K. Dixon was driven ashore near Middle Island, Lake Huron, in a storm while carrying a cargo of cedar posts. Although her equipment was salvaged with help from the schooner Carrington, the hull was abandoned as a total loss.
Final Disposition
Wrecked on or near Middle Island, Lake Huron, and abandoned October 1, 1877.
Located By & Date
No wreck site has been documented or located.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No current Notices to Mariners apply to this wreck.
Current Condition & Accessibilit
Unknown. If the remains survive, they are likely broken and buried in the dynamic nearshore sand and gravel of Middle Island.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships Database (BGSU)
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Save Ontario Shipwrecks
- Chronicling America – search “C.K. Dixon 1877”
- Newspapers.com – search “C.K. Dixon 1877”
- Board of Lake Underwriters Marine Directory
- Steamboat Era in the Muskokas by Richard Tatley
- Loudon G. Wilson research papers
- Donald V. Baut research papers
- Bowling Green State University, Historical Collections of the Great Lakes
Conclusio
The loss of the C.K. Dixon illustrates the vulnerability of schooners in the unpredictable storms of Lake Huron, even in the relatively protected areas near Middle Island. Although she served reliably for eight years, her end was typical of wooden sail vessels caught in sudden gales while transporting lumber products vital to the Great Lakes economy.
Keywords
C.K. Dixon, Lake Huron, Middle Island, Schooner, Wooden Ship, Lumber Trade, 19th Century Shipwreck, Maritime History
c-k-dixon-us-33616 1877-10-01 13:12:00