Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: C.P. Williams
• Type: Initially a two-masted brig, later converted to schooner-barge
• Year Built: 1853
• Builder: Nelson (near Michigan City, IN)
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 350 gross / 292 net tons
• Location: Port Austin, Lake Huron
• Official Number: 4364
• Number of Masts: Two-masted

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Initially a two-masted brig, the C.P. Williams was later converted to a schooner-barge in 1875, designed for tow freight operations.

Description

The C.P. Williams was built in 1853 in Nelson, near Michigan City, Indiana. It was a wooden-hulled vessel that served for nearly 33 years, showcasing durability in Great Lakes service.

History

The vessel was involved in at least 15 incidents during its operational lifespan. Notably, it ran aground on the Manitous (Manitou Islands, Lake Michigan) in August 1853 during a storm or navigational incident, remaining ashore for several months with heavy damage before being refloated by the propeller Illinois. The C.P. Williams ultimately sank in a storm near Port Austin, Lake Huron, in 1886, where it was declared a total loss.

Significant Incidents

• Aground (Aug 1853): Stranded on the Manitous during a storm, remained ashore for several months with heavy damage, refloated by the propeller Illinois.
• Final Loss (1886): Lost in a storm near Port Austin, Lake Huron, declared a total loss.

Final Disposition

The C.P. Williams was lost in a storm in 1886, marking the end of its service and contributing to the narrative of maritime challenges faced in the Great Lakes.

Current Condition & Accessibility

There is no existing dive site for the C.P. Williams, but the ashore site provides a compelling precursor story for site-based research. The vessel represents the evolution of mid-19th-century marine conversion from brig to cargo barge.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”c-p-williams-us-4364″ title=”References & Links”]

The C.P. Williams serves as a historic insight into the maritime history of the Great Lakes, illustrating the resilience and adaptation of vessels in response to evolving freight needs and the challenges of navigation.