Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Cyclone
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder: Likely Cleveland, Ohio (exact yard unconfirmed)
- Dimensions: Estimated length 98–115 ft (30–35 m); Beam approx. 23 ft (7 m); Depth of hold unknown
- Registered Tonnage: 220–250 tons
- Location: Near Michigan shoreline, Lake Huron
- Coordinates: Exact charted coordinates unknown
- Official Number: Not conclusively documented
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A classic wooden Great Lakes schooner, built to transport heavy cargoes such as iron ore, coal, and lumber. These vessels formed the backbone of the 19th-century commercial trade fleet, with durable hulls and rigging optimized for Great Lakes weather.
Description
The Cyclone was a robust, iron-fastened, white-oak schooner of typical mid-19th century construction. She was designed for the ore and coal trades and featured a large hold with reinforced deck beams to handle dense, heavy bulk cargo.
History
On 7 September 1885, while carrying a cargo of iron ore on Lake Huron, the Cyclone encountered a severe storm. She began leaking heavily under the stress of pounding seas, overwhelming her pumps. The captain made the decision to beach the schooner near the Michigan coast to save the crew.
Once aground, large breakers swept entirely over the ship, battering her hull for several days. She was ultimately pounded to pieces by surf conditions, reducing her to a total wreck.
No fatalities were reported, with the crew escaping to shore.
Significant Incidents
- 7 September 1885: Cyclone lost during a severe storm on Lake Huron while carrying iron ore.
Final Disposition
The Cyclone was declared a total constructive loss. The vessel was destroyed in the surf over several days, and no salvage was recorded beyond scattered iron ore cargo.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There is no modern survey confirming a coherent wreck site, as she was smashed apart on a beach, then likely scattered or buried by shifting sand and wave action.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”cyclone-1856″ title=”References & Links”]
The Cyclone is a representative example of the vulnerability of wooden ore schooners on Lake Huron during severe fall storms. Her beaching and subsequent destruction in 1885 is a stark reminder of the hazards faced by 19th-century shipping, particularly with heavy cargo and limited pumping capacity.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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