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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →