Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

C.L. Fick(1867)

Explore the remains of the C.L. Fick, a scow schooner lost in a storm on Lake Michigan in 1894, known for its role in the lumber trade.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: C.L. FICK
  • Type: Scow Schooner
  • Year Built: 1867
  • Builder: Frank Burk
  • Dimensions: Length 97.4 ft (29.7 m); Beam 22.8 ft (6.9 m); Depth of hold 6.5 ft (2.0 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 113 tons
  • Location: Near Stoney Lake, Lake Michigan
  • Official Number: 33668
  • Original Owners: Fick & White, Detroit, MI; later owned by Francisco, E. Fiefield, and Fred Harris
  • Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The C.L. FICK was a typical Great Lakes scow schooner, broad-beamed with a shallow draft and two masts. These rugged, economical cargo carriers specialized in transporting heavy, bulky cargoes such as lumber across the lakes and were well-suited to the shallow harbours and undeveloped shorelines of 19th-century Michigan and Wisconsin.

Description

The C.L. FICK was constructed in 1867 in Trenton, Michigan, and was primarily used for transporting lumber across the Great Lakes. The vessel was built of wood and featured a single deck, with a gross tonnage of 113 tons and a capacity of 125,000 board feet of lumber.

History

The C.L. FICK was enrolled at Detroit, MI, in 1867 and began operations shortly thereafter. It made its maiden voyage on May 31, 1867. Over the years, the vessel changed ownership multiple times, including being owned by Francisco in 1876 and E. Fiefield in 1878. The vessel reportedly ran aground in 1883 or 1884, though the location is uncertain. On June 3, 1891, while carrying lumber, it went aground at Evanston, Lake Michigan, but was later released. The C.L. FICK met its demise on October 15, 1894, when it was driven ashore during a storm near Stoney Creek, MI, resulting in a total loss.

Significant Incidents

  • 1867: Enrolled at Detroit, MI and began operations.
  • 1867, May 31: Arrived Detroit on her maiden voyage.
  • 1876: Owned by Francisco, Detroit, MI.
  • 1878, December 23: Owned by E. Fiefield, Bay City, MI; recorded at 97.1 x 22.8 x 6.7 ft.
  • 1879: Listed as owned in Detroit, MI.
  • 1883 or 1884: Reportedly driven ashore and wrecked (location uncertain).
  • 1891, June 3: Went aground at Evanston, Lake Michigan, while lumber laden; later released; owned by Fred Harris.
  • 1894, October 15: Driven ashore near Stoney Creek, MI, becoming a total loss.

Final Disposition

The vessel broke apart after grounding during a severe gale while anchored, ending her service on Lake Michigan after nearly three decades of lumber transport.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Presumed scattered and buried near Stoney Creek, MI, Lake Michigan.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”c-l-fick1867″ title=”References & Links”]

The C.L. FICK represents the hard-working scow schooners that served the Great Lakes lumber trade throughout the late 19th century. Her grounding and loss in 1894 highlight the vulnerability of these vessels to sudden storms on the open 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.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: C.L. FICK
  • Year Built: 1867
  • Official Number: 33668
  • Built at: Trenton, Michigan, USA
  • Vessel Type: Scow Schooner
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Number of Decks: 1
  • Builder: Frank Burk
  • Original Owner: Fick & White, Detroit, MI
  • Power: Sail
  • Number of Masts: 2
  • Hull Dimensions:
    • Length: 97.4 ft (29.7 m)
    • Beam: 22.8 ft (6.9 m)
    • Depth: 6.5 ft (2.0 m)
    • Gross Tonnage: 113 tons
    • Capacity: 125,000 board feet of lumber

Final Disposition

  • Final Location: Near Stoney Lake, Lake Michigan
  • Date Lost: 15 October 1894
  • How Lost: Driven ashore in a storm, total wreck

Vessel Type Description
The C.L. FICK was a typical Great Lakes scow schooner, broad-beamed with a shallow draft and two masts. These rugged, economical cargo carriers specialized in transporting heavy, bulky cargoes such as lumber across the lakes and were well-suited to the shallow harbours and undeveloped shorelines of 19th-century Michigan and Wisconsin.

History

  • 1867: Enrolled at Detroit, MI and began operations.
  • 1867, May 31: Arrived Detroit on her maiden voyage.
  • 1876: Owned by Francisco, Detroit, MI.
  • 1878, December 23: Owned by E. Fiefield, Bay City, MI; recorded at 97.1 x 22.8 x 6.7 ft.
  • 1879: Listed as owned in Detroit, MI.
  • 1883 or 1884: Reportedly driven ashore and wrecked (location uncertain).
  • 1891, June 3: Went aground at Evanston, Lake Michigan, while lumber laden in company with LENA BELUN; later released; owned by Fred Harris.
  • 1894, October 15: While attempting to ride out a storm at anchor on Lake Michigan, the C.L. FICK was driven ashore near Stoney Creek, MI, becoming a total loss.

Final Disposition
The vessel broke apart after grounding during a severe gale while anchored, ending her service on Lake Michigan after nearly three decades of lumber transport.

NOTMARs & Advisories
No current Notices to Mariners are associated with the C.L. FICK.

Located By & Date
Remains of the vessel have not been positively identified to date.

Current Condition & Accessibility
Presumed scattered and buried near Stoney Creek, MI, Lake Michigan.

Resources & Links

  • David Swayze Shipwreck File
  • Maritime History of the Great Lakes
  • Great Lakes Vessels Index (BGSU)
  • C. Patrick Labadie Collection
  • Steamboat Era in the Muskokas by Richard Tatley

Conclusion
The C.L. FICK represents the hard-working scow schooners that served the Great Lakes lumber trade throughout the late 19th century. Her grounding and loss in 1894 highlight the vulnerability of these vessels to sudden storms on the open lakes.

Keywords: scow schooner, lumber trade, Lake Michigan, Great Lakes shipwreck, 19th-century schooner, storm wreck

c-l-fick1867 1894-10-15 09:39:00