Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Cris Grover
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1878
- Builder: Lorain, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 16.15 m / 53 ft
- Location: Near Split Rock Island, Lake Superior
- Original Owners: Jacob Weiner
- Number of Masts: Three-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Cris Grover was a three-masted wooden schooner, primarily used for transporting lumber and mining supplies. It was known as a ‘powder boat’ due to its frequent carriage of dynamite to mining camps.
Description
Launched in 1878 at Lorain, Ohio, the Cris Grover was designed for the lumber and mining support trades. It had a notable role in transporting explosives, which was critical for mining operations in the region.
History
The vessel had a tumultuous operational history, including a grounding incident in 1880 near AuSable, Michigan, where it was declared a total loss but later salvaged. A tragic event occurred during the rescue operations of this incident, resulting in the death of a local judge when a breeches-buoy cannon exploded.
Significant Incidents
- 1880: Ran ashore near AuSable, Michigan, loaded with limestone. Declared a total loss but later salvaged and returned to service.
- Fatality: A local judge was killed during a breeches-buoy rescue after the 1880 stranding.
Final Disposition
On October 24, 1899, the Cris Grover ran aground on a reef near Split Rock Island in Lake Superior amid fog or gale conditions. The crew abandoned the ship, which was deemed not worth salvaging. Fortunately, there were no casualties. The wreck remains on the lake bottom, with the hull and anchor visible to divers at approximately 53 feet.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is accessible to divers, with the intact hull and anchor still present. The site offers a glimpse into the maritime history of the region and is a popular dive destination.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”cris-grover-1878″ title=”References & Links”]
This wreck stands out because it survived multiple groundings and returned to service, tragically caused a civilian fatality in 1880, and became a popular dive site after wrecking on Split Rock Island in 1899. It thus offers rich material for folklore, safety innovations (like breeches-buoy nets), and underwater archaeology.
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.
Identification & Build
- Launched: 1878 at Lorain, Ohio — three-masted wooden schooner built for lumber and mining support trades (duluthharborcam.com, alconareview.com)
- Role: Known as a “powder boat” — frequently carried dynamite to mining camps when others wouldn’t (duluthharborcam.com)
- Master: Capt. Gibbon (or Gibson) under owner Jacob Weiner (wrecksite.eu)
Operational History & Incidents
- 1880: Ran ashore near AuSable, Michigan (Lake Huron) loaded with limestone. Declared a total loss but later salvaged and returned to service (duluthharborcam.com)
- Notable tragedy: Volunteer rescuer (a local judge) was killed when a breeches-buoy cannon exploded during rescue operations (duluthharborcam.com)
Final Wreck – Lake Superior, 1899
- Date: October 24, 1899
- Location: Split Rock Island, Lake Superior — ran aground on a reef amid fog or gale conditions (duluthharborcam.com)
- Outcome: Wrecked; deemed not worth salvaging. Crew abandoned ship and stripped the vessel’s materials for reuse — no casualties (duluthharborcam.com)
- Current site: Hull and anchor remain on the lake bottom, visible to divers at ~53 ft depth (duluthharborcam.com)
Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Launched | 1878, Lorain, OH |
| Role | Powder boat (dynamite carrier), lumber and mining supplies transport |
| 1880 Incident | Ashore at AuSable, MI; salvaged post-loss |
| Fatality | Local judge killed during breeches-buoy rescue after 1880 stranding |
| Final Wreck Condition | Split Rock reef grounding, total loss, no lives lost |
| Wreck Site | Near Split Rock Island, Lake Superior; intact hull & anchor at ~53 ft |
| Dive Access | Site accessible to divers — material still present |
Research Insights & Next Steps
- Hospital Corp. Records – Capt. Gibbon’s logs and vessel enrollment might be in NARA Region 5.
- Local 1880 Incident Records – Investigate Oscoda/Alcona County newspapers for detailed accounts of the rescue mishap.
- Split Rock 1899 Sources – Diving logs or historical maritime records may provide additional details on site conditions and salvage.
This wreck stands out because 1) it survived multiple groundings and returned to service, 2) tragically caused a civilian fatality in 1880, and 3) became a popular dive site after wrecking on Split Rock Island in 1899. It thus offers rich material for folklore, safety innovations (like breeches-buoy nets), and underwater archaeology.
cris-grover-1878 1899-10-24 21:23:00