Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: CRESCENT
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1852
- Builder: Ohio City (Cleveland), OH
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: ~297.5 GRT
- Location: North Fox Island, Lake Michigan
- Original Owners: Meadowcroft, Chicago
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Operated out of Chicago (District from 1854), carrying mixed freight typical of mid-19th-century Great Lakes commerce—including bulk commodities and processed materials.
Description
The CRESCENT was a two-masted wooden schooner built in 1852 in Ohio City, Ohio. At the time of her loss, she was owned by Meadowcroft of Chicago and was engaged in carrying freight such as molasses, white lead, and wheat.
History
On 21 November 1855, while en route to Chicago, the CRESCENT encountered gale conditions and was driven ashore at North Fox Island. She broke apart in surf over the following two weeks and was declared a total loss. By April 1856, salvage teams had recovered cargo and fittings from the site.
Significant Incidents
- Wrecked on 21 November 1855 due to storm conditions.
- Declared a total loss as she broke apart in the surf.
- Salvage operations completed by April 1856, recovering cargo and fittings.
Final Disposition
The CRESCENT broke up by 10 December 1855, with salvage operations removing cargo and gear by April 1856. There were no recorded casualties during the incident.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As the CRESCENT was driven ashore and subsequently broken up, no physical remains are likely to be found at the site today. Further research may uncover detailed accounts and records related to her loss.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”cresent-1852″ title=”References & Links”]
The CRESCENT exemplifies the mid-19th-century Great Lakes freight schooner—vulnerable to sudden storms, yet integral to regional trade. Her loss at North Fox Island highlights both navigational hazards and active maritime asset recovery practices of the era.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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