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
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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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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