Chickamauga – Lake Huron Schooner Shipwreck (1919)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Chickamauga
• Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge
• Year Built: 1898
• Builder: James Davidson, West Bay City, Michigan
• Dimensions: Length: 322 ft (98.1 m); Beam: 45 ft (13.7 m); Depth of hold: 21.5 ft (6.6 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 2,472 tons
• Location: Approximately one mile off Harbor Beach, Michigan
• Coordinates: Specific GPS coordinates for the wreck site are unavailable.
• Official Number: 127259
• Original Owners: Mentor Transit Co.
• Number of Masts: Unknown

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Chickamauga was a wooden schooner-barge, primarily designed to transport bulk cargoes like iron ore across the Great Lakes. At the time of its launch in 1898, it was the largest schooner-barge on the lakes. Schooner-barges like the Chickamauga were towed by steamers, maximizing cargo capacity while minimizing the need for independent propulsion.

Description

The Chickamauga was built in 1898 by renowned shipbuilder James Davidson in West Bay City, Michigan. Its impressive size and capacity made it a cornerstone of the iron ore trade, crucial to the industrial expansion of the Great Lakes region.

History

Incidents and Operational Highlights

• 1908 Collision: The Chickamauga collided with the steamer Samuel Mitchell in dense fog near Ashland, Wisconsin, causing damage to both vessels. After repairs, it resumed service.
• Final Voyage (1919): On September 12, 1919, the Chickamauga, carrying iron ore, was being towed by the steamer Centurion on Lake Huron. Near Harbor Beach, Michigan, the vessel encountered a severe storm and began taking on water. Despite the crew’s efforts, the Chickamauga foundered just outside the harbor. Fortunately, all 11 crew members were rescued.

Significant Incidents

FINAL DISPOSITION

The wreck of the Chickamauga posed a hazard to navigation, prompting its partial removal by dynamite in 1920. Most of the remains were cleared, but it is believed some wreckage still lies at the site where it sank.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) pertain to the wreck of the Chickamauga. Mariners in the Harbor Beach, Michigan, area should still exercise caution due to the history of shipwrecks in the vicinity.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Chickamauga posed a hazard to navigation, prompting its partial removal by dynamite in 1920. Most of the remains were cleared, but it is believed some wreckage still lies at the site where it sank.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Chickamauga was foundered and partially removed in 1920. Specific GPS coordinates for the wreck site are unavailable. Continued exploration and research may yield more details about the remaining wreckage. Maritime enthusiasts and historians should stay tuned for further developments.

Resources & Links

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The Chickamauga was a monumental schooner-barge that exemplified the ingenuity of Great Lakes shipbuilding in the late 19th century. Its role in the iron ore trade highlighted the importance of these vessels in the industrial development of the region. The tragic storm in 1919 that led to its sinking, and the subsequent dynamiting of the wreck, serves as a reminder of the risks faced by mariners. Today, the Chickamauga’s story endures as a significant chapter in the maritime history of the Great Lakes.