Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Clayton Belle
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1868
- Builder: Clayton, New York
- Dimensions: Unknown
- Registered Tonnage: Unknown (cargo record: 522 tons pig iron)
- Depth at Wreck Site: 9.8 m / 32 ft
- Location: Off Lakeport, Lake Huron (~10 miles from Port Huron)
- Coordinates: Approx. N 43° 07.700′ W 082° 26.100′
- Official Number: Unknown (not located in online registry)
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Clayton Belle was a mid-19th-century wooden schooner engaged in bulk cargo trade on the Great Lakes.
Description
The Clayton Belle was a mid-19th-century wooden schooner engaged in bulk cargo trade on the Great Lakes. On her final voyage, she carried a heavy load of pig iron from Michigan toward Pennsylvania. Her hull, rigging, and construction reflect the schooner-era of sail on the lakes. After collision, she came to rest at shallow depth and remains accessible to divers in Lake Huron.
History
The Clayton Belle was built in Clayton, New York, and served in Great Lakes commerce, carrying heavy cargoes of pig iron and other bulk freight. On 10 April 1882, she collided with the schooner Thomas Parsons off Lakeport, Lake Huron. The Parsons had reefed sail, obstructing visibility, and struck the Clayton Belle. The vessel sank rapidly. Four crew, including the captain, perished; two survived.
Significant Incidents
- 10 April 1882: Collision with the schooner Thomas Parsons, resulting in the sinking of the Clayton Belle.
Final Disposition
The vessel sank at shallow depth in Lake Huron. Divers later found the hull split and the port side displaced, likely due to salvage. Salvors recovered pig iron and components including rigging, fittings, and the rudder.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is located within the Sanilac Shores Underwater Preserve, regulated under Michigan historic shipwreck protection law. No artifact removal is permitted, and visibility and lake conditions vary.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”clayton-belle” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
As a diver, remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories. The Clayton Belle offers a glimpse into maritime history, and divers are encouraged to respect the site and its artifacts.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
Other Names: — (none identified)
Official Number: Unknown (not located in online registry)
Registry: United States (presumed)
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner
Builder: Clayton, New York
Year Built: 1868 (some sources say 1854)
Dimensions: Unknown
Tonnage: Unknown (cargo record: 522 tons pig iron)
Cargo on Final Voyage: Pig iron (~522 tons)
Date of Loss: 10 April 1882
Location: Off Lakeport, Lake Huron (~10 miles from Port Huron)
Coordinates: Approx. N 43°07.700′ W 082°26.100′
Depth: ~32 ft (9.8 m)
Home Port: Presumed Clayton, NY or Port St. Ignace, MI
Owners: Unknown
Crew: Unknown
Casualties: 4 killed (including captain); 2 survived
Description
The Clayton Belle was a mid‑19th-century wooden schooner engaged in bulk cargo trade on the Great Lakes. On her final voyage she carried a heavy load of pig iron from Michigan toward Pennsylvania. Her hull, rigging and construction reflect the schooner-era of sail on the lakes. After collision she came to rest at shallow depth and remains accessible to divers in Lake Huron.
History
The Clayton Belle was built in Clayton, New York and served in Great Lakes commerce, carrying heavy cargoes of pig iron and other bulk freight. On 10 April 1882 she collided with the schooner Thomas Parsons off Lakeport, Lake Huron. The Parsons had reefed sail, obstructing visibility, and struck the Clayton Belle. The vessel sank rapidly. Four crew, including the captain, perished; two survived.
Final Dispositions
The vessel sank at shallow depth in Lake Huron. Divers later found the hull split and the port side displaced, likely due to salvage. Salvors recovered pig iron and components including rigging, fittings, and the rudder.
Located By & Date Found
The precise rediscovery date is unrecorded. It is documented in the Sanilac Shores Underwater Preserve listings with coordinates and depth noted.
Notmars & Advisories
Part of the Sanilac Shores Underwater Preserve; regulated under Michigan historic shipwreck protection law. No artifact removal permitted. Visibility and lake conditions vary.
Dive Information
Access: Boat
Entry Point: Lakeport area
Conditions: Visibility variable; shallow depth; watch for boat traffic
Depth Range: ~30–35 ft (9–10.7 m)
Emergency Contacts: USCG Sector Lake Michigan; Port Huron EMS
Permits: Not required for recreational dives
Dive Support: Available in Port Huron region
Crew & Casualty Memorials
Four crew lost, including the captain. Further research required via local archives and newspapers for names and burial sites.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“The schooners Clayton Belle and Thomas Parsons collided on Lake Huron, ten miles from Port Huron, April 10… the former sank in about seven minutes.”
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
No online registry or enrollment located. No known insurance documentation located; historical maritime archives may hold additional details.
Site Documentation & Imaging
The wreck is listed in the Sanilac Shores Underwater Preserve. Minimal photography exists online. No 3D survey or NOAA package located.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Shotline Diving – Clayton Belle summary
- History of the Great Lakes – Collision accounts
- Sanilac Shores Underwater Preserve
- Great Lakes Rex Archive
References
- Chicago Inter Ocean, 13 April 1882 (via Shotline Diving)
- Marsh Collection, Volume II, Number 2
- Michigan Preserves site listings
NOAA Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: None
Official Number: Unknown
Coordinates: N 43°07.700′ / W 082°26.100′
Depth: 32 ft (9.8 m)
Location Description: Sanilac Shores Preserve, near Lakeport, Lake Huron
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner
Material: Wood
Dimensions: Unknown
Condition: Partially broken, scattered from salvage
Cause of Loss: Collision with schooner T. Parsons
Discovery Date: Rediscovered ca. 1993
Discovered By: Local divers (unverified)
Method: Visual dive survey
Legal Notes: Located within Michigan Underwater Preserve System
Hazards: Shallow water, poor visibility in storms
Permits Required: Not for diving; artifact recovery prohibited