Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Chauncy Hurlbut
- Type: Wooden-hulled, propeller-driven bulk and package freighter
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: Simon Langell, St. Clair, Michigan
- Dimensions: 185 ft × 32 ft × 21 ft (56.4 m × 9.8 m × 6.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: ~1,010 GRT, 829 NRT
- Location: Beached near Vermilion Point, approx. 10 miles west of Whitefish Point, Lake Superior, Michigan
- Coordinates: Approximate location 10 miles west of Whitefish Point
- Official Number: 125238
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled, propeller-driven bulk and package freighter designed for transporting various cargoes across the Great Lakes.
Description
A sturdy wooden-hulled freighter built in 1873 by Simon Langell at St. Clair, Michigan, the Chauncy Hurlbut measured 185 ft in length with generous cargo space reflected in her gross tonnage of approximately 1,010. Engineered for both bulk and package freight, she served a versatile role in the Great Lakes, particularly for industries such as the copper milling.
History
Over more than three decades of operation, the Chauncy Hurlbut remained active in freight transportation across the Great Lakes. A notable incident—a damaging fire—occurred in 1889 at West Superior, Wisconsin. Although specific archival newspapers from that period remain inaccessible online presently, this episode is widely referenced in maritime historical accounts. In 1900, she underwent a key structural rebuild in Detroit, a testament to her economic utility and maritime significance.
Significant Incidents
- 1889: Damaging fire at West Superior, Wisconsin.
Final Disposition
On 6 September 1908, during a harsh Lake Superior gale off Vermilion Point, the Chauncy Hurlbut, laden with stamp sand, sprang a critical leak. To avert sinking, the captain deliberately beached her approximately 10 miles west of Whitefish Point. The vessel broke apart against the shore and was declared a total loss. All 14 crew members were successfully rescued.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No known records indicate that the wreck of Chauncy Hurlbut has ever been located, surveyed, or documented underwater. Its remains, if present, remain uncharted. The shoreline near Vermilion Point remains unobstructed in official maritime communication.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”chauncy-hurlbut-us-125238″ title=”References & Links”]
All 14 crew members survived the wreck, assisted by lifesavers from Vermilion Point—a reflection of the effectiveness of life-saving services of that era. No memorials, headstones, or named records have surfaced in public archives. Further research in life-saving station logs or regional newspapers may reveal such details.
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 Card (Site Style)
Other Names: Also recorded as Chauncy Hurlburt
Official Number: 125238
Registry: United States (Detroit enrollment surrendered 6 September 1908)
Vessel Type: Wooden-hulled, propeller-driven bulk and package freighter
Builder: Simon Langell, St. Clair, Michigan
Year Built: 1873
Dimensions: 185 ft × 32 ft × 21 ft (56.4 m × 9.8 m × 6.4 m) — ~1,010 GRT, 829 NRT :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Rebuilds: Significant rebuild in 1900 (Detroit)
Cargo on Final Voyage: Stamp sand (byproduct of copper milling)
Date of Loss: 6 September 1908
Location: Beached near Vermilion Point, approx. 10 miles west of Whitefish Point, Lake Superior, Michigan :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
Crew: 14 aboard
Casualties: None — all rescued by lifesavers
Description
A sturdy wooden-hulled freighter built in 1873 by Simon Langell at St. Clair, Michigan, the **Chauncy Hurlbut** measured 185 ft in length with generous cargo space reflected in her gross tonnage of approximately 1,010. Engineered for both bulk and package freight, she served a versatile role in the Great Lakes, particularly for industries such as the copper milling
History
Over more than three decades of operation, the **Chauncy Hurlbut** remained active in freight transportation across the Great Lakes. A notable incident—a damaging fire—occurred in 1889 at West Superior, Wisconsin. Although specific archival newspapers from that period remain inaccessible online presently, this episode is widely referenced in maritime historical accounts. In 1900, she underwent a key structural rebuild in Detroit, a testament to her economic utility and maritime
Final Disposition
On 6 September 1908, during a harsh Lake Superior gale off Vermilion Point, the **Chauncy Hurlbut**, laden with stamp sand, sprang a critical leak. To avert sinking, the captain deliberately beached her approximately 10 miles west of Whitefish Point. The vessel broke apart against the shore and was declared a total loss. All 14 crew members were successfully
Located By & Date Found
No known records indicate that the wreck of **Chauncy Hurlbut** has ever been located, surveyed, or documented underwater. Its remains, if present, remain uncharted.
Notmars & Advisories
No notices to mariners, hazard bulletins, or navigational advisories currently reference the wreck. The shoreline near Vermilion Point remains unobstructed in official maritime communication.
Dive Information
Access: Shore only; conditions challenging due to rocky coastline and strong surf.
Entry Point: Near Vermilion Point; minimal infrastructure.
Conditions: Cold, turbulent waters with limited visibility and dynamic currents; no dive reports exist.
Depth:** Shallow—vessel beached and broken apart on shore.
Emergency Contacts:** U.S. Coast Guard (Great Lakes Sector Sault Sainte Marie).
Permits:** None specific for this wreck; general dive regulations from Michigan DNR or NOAA apply.
Dive Support:** None known locally.
Crew & Casualty Memorials
All 14 crew members survived the wreck, assisted by lifesavers from Vermilion Point—a reflection of the effectiveness of life-saving services of that era. No memorials, headstones, or named records have surfaced in public archives. Further research in life-saving station logs or regional newspapers may reveal such details.:contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}
Documented Statements & Extracts
“The **Chauncy Hurlbut** … sprang a leak and was beached 10 miles west of Whitefish Point on the coast of Michigan and broke up, a total loss. All 14 people on board survived.”
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Official registry number 125238 was formally surrendered following the loss of the vessel on 6 September 1908. Information on insurance coverage or ownership documentation remains unsettled; further archival investigation—such as in BGSU’s Great Lakes Vessels Database or archival insurance records—could yield more.
Site Documentation & Imaging
There are no known images of the wreck itself, such as underwater surveys, NOAA VR, or diving photographs. The principal visual reference remains the commemorative plaque at the St. Clair River Boardwalk.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL)
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress) — for accessing historical newspapers
- Newspapers.com — search local papers like *Door County Advocate* covering 1908, 1889 events
- Find A Grave — for potential crew memorials
—
References
- Maritime profile for **Chauncy Hurlbut** — detailing build specifications, loss, and location.
- Official listing in *List of Shipwrecks in 1908* — confirming date, location, and total loss.
NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: Chauncy Hurlburt
Official Number: 125238
Coordinates: Approximate — 10 mi west of Whitefish Point, Michigan
Depth: Very shallow — wreck broken up onshore
Location Description: Beached near Vermilion Point, Lake Superior
Vessel Type: Wooden, propeller-driven bulk/package freighter
Material: Wood
Dimensions: 185 ft × 32 ft × 21 ft; ~1,010 GRT; 829 NRT
Condition: Wrecked and broken apart — total loss
Cause of Loss: Storm-induced hull leakage; intentionally beached
Discovery Date: Not located afterward
Discovered By: N/A
Method: N/A
Legal Notes: Registry surrendered post-loss; insurance trail not traced
Hazards: None officially recorded
Permits Required: Not specified; standard dive regulations apply
Chauncy Hurlbut was a large wooden propeller freighter, built in 1873 by S. Langell in St. Clair, Michigan, a prominent shipbuilding location during the era. Designed for transporting bulk and package freight, the vessel was part of the expanding fleet that catered to the booming industrial and mining sectors around the Great Lakes, particularly for hauling heavy materials like stamp sand, a byproduct of copper ore processing. chauncy-hurlbut-us-125238 1908-09-06 07:56:00
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