Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Clara
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1877
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Michigan waters (exact site not precisely documented)
- Original Owners: Captain John (surname not fully documented)
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Clara was a wooden two-masted schooner, typical of the Great Lakes lumber carriers built in the late 19th century, designed to transport heavy sawn timber cargoes.
Description
Built with oak frames and pine planking, the Clara had a single deck with a large cargo hold, rigged fore-and-aft to maximize maneuverability and cargo capacity. Her shallow draft made her well suited for loading at smaller Michigan lumber ports.
History
On 23 August 1887, while carrying a cargo of hardwood lumber, the Clara was caught in a severe storm on Lake Michigan while under command of Captain John (full surname unclear in shipping records). Battling rough seas, the vessel was overwhelmed and driven ashore. One of the two crew members aboard was lost in the wreck, while the other survived.
The schooner was reported as a total loss after breaking apart on the shoreline.
Significant Incidents
- 23 August 1887: Caught in a storm on Lake Michigan, the Clara was driven ashore, resulting in one crew fatality.
Final Disposition
Declared a constructive total loss; no salvage or rebuilding recorded.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No confirmed archaeological surveys or diver reports of the Clara‘s wreck have been published.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”clara-1877″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Clara illustrates the dangers of late-summer storms on the Great Lakes, especially for small schooners with deck-loaded lumber. Her grounding with one crew member lost is a sobering reminder of the hazards of the 19th-century lumber trade.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →