Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: D.L. Couch (formerly Acorn)
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1855
- Builder: Oswego, New York (A. Miller / Walter Scott / Miller)
- Dimensions: Approx. 85 ft (25.9 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: ~119 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 37 m / 120 ft
- Location: ~10 miles off Long Point, Lake Erie
- Coordinates: Unknown / not recorded
- Official Number: 6503
- Original Owners: James Riley (Detroit) at time of loss
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The D.L. Couch was a mid-19th century wooden schooner featuring two masts and a single deck. The hull incorporated the remains of an earlier schooner, the Acorn, effectively recycling structural timbers.
Description
The D.L. Couch likely had typical frame-and-plank construction of the period, with edge-fastened planking, floor timbers, futtocks, and deck beams. The vessel was propelled by sail, with rigging suited for standard Great Lakes trade. The cargo holds were arranged for bulk commodities, notably coal.
History
The vessel’s early life is intertwined with the Acorn‘s remains. The Acorn was originally built circa 1842 at Black River, near Charleston, Ohio (T.H. Cobb) with dimensions of 84×20×8 ft and approximately 125 tons. At some point, the Acorn hull was deemed unseaworthy or abandoned, and portions were reused in constructing the D.L. Couch in 1855 at Oswego, NY. Secondary listings indicate the D.L. Couch was built by A. Miller in Oswego.
In her early voyages, she operated in Great Lakes trade routes, hauling plaster, merchandise, and later coal. Ownership changed over her lifetime: she was initially owned by John E. Mulford, then sold to Gross, Pulver & Co. (Oswego), later to J.C. Maddock (Gananoque, Ontario), then to New Baltimore, Michigan interests, and finally to James Riley (Detroit) as a Canadian-registered vessel circa 1871.
Significant Incidents
- On 17 July 1872 (some records mark 18 July), while bound with a coal cargo and navigating Lake Erie toward Detroit, the D.L. Couch sprang a leak in heavy weather off Long Point.
- The crew battled flooding for several hours but were unable to save her.
- They were taken off by the passing schooner Citizen, after which the D.L. Couch foundered and sank in roughly 20 fathoms of water (approximately 120 ft).
Final Disposition
The leak presumably overwhelmed bilge pumps and structural integrity. The sinking was not due to collision or grounding but rather progressive flooding under storm conditions. The vessel was lost entirely beneath the waves, though some structural elements may remain relatively intact on the bottom. The absence of official survey or salvage records suggests she was a total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There is no documented modern discovery of the D.L. Couch. The wreck’s exact location and coordinates appear not to have been preserved in archival sources. Secondary sources list her as ‘lost’ in 1874 merchant vessel registers. References to her are mostly via casualty registers and newspaper accounts rather than underwater survey logs.
Divers should exercise caution due to depth, possible debris, and uncertain structural stability. In the absence of official advisory, treat as a deep wreck in open water.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”d-l-couch-acorn” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
Access to the wreck site is by boat only, with no shore access available. Divers are encouraged to follow ethical practices, leaving only bubbles and taking only memories. Remember to check provincial/state regulations for underwater heritage in Ontario and U.S. jurisdictions.
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
Description
The **D.L. Couch** was a mid‑19th century wooden schooner built (or rebuilt) with two masts and a single deck. Its hull incorporated the remains of an earlier schooner, the *Acorn*, effectively recycling structural timbers. The schooner likely had typical frame‑and‑plank construction of the period, with edge‑fastened planking, floor timbers, futtocks, and deck beams. The motive was sail (no engine), with rigging suited for standard Great Lakes trade. The cargo holds were arranged for bulk commodities (notably coal).History
The vessel’s early life is intertwined with the *Acorn*’s remains. The *Acorn* was originally built ca. 1842 at Black River / near Charleston, Ohio (T.H. Cobb) with dimensions 84×20×8 ft, ~125 tons. At some point the *Acorn* hull was deemed unseaworthy or abandoned, and portions were reused in constructing the *D.L. Couch* in 1855 at Oswego, NY. Secondary listings give the *D.L. Couch* built in 1855 by A. Miller in Oswego. In her early voyages, she operated in Great Lakes trade routes: hauling plaster, merchandise, and later coal. Ownership changed over her lifetime: she was initially owned by John E. Mulford, then sold to Gross, Pulver & Co. (Oswego), later to J.C. Maddock (Gananoque, Ontario), then New Baltimore, Michigan interests, and finally to James Riley (Detroit) as a Canadian‑registered vessel circa 1871. (These ownership transitions are drawn from your summary and some alignment with secondary listings.) On 17 July 1872 (some records mark 18 July), while bound with a coal cargo and navigating Lake Erie toward Detroit, the *D.L. Couch* sprang a leak in heavy weather off Long Point. The crew battled flooding for several hours but were unable to save her. They were taken off by the passing schooner *Citizen*, after which *Couch* foundered and sank in roughly 20 fathoms of water (≈ 120 ft).Final Dispositions
The leak presumably overwhelmed bilge pumps and structural integrity. The sinking was not due to collision or grounding (per known accounts) but progressive flooding under storm conditions. The vessel was lost entirely beneath the waves, though some structural elements may remain relatively intact on the bottom. The absence of official survey or salvage records suggests she was a **total loss**.Located By & Date Found
There is **no documented modern discovery** of the *D.L. Couch* (to my knowledge). The wreck’s exact location and coordinates appear not to have been preserved in archival sources. Secondary sources list her as “lost” in 1874 merchant vessel registers. References to her are mostly via casualty registers and newspaper accounts rather than underwater survey logs.Notmars & Advisories
No specific Notices to Mariners for this wreck site are recorded in accessible archives. Divers should exercise caution due to depth, possible debris, and uncertain structural stability. (In absence of official advisory, treat as a deep wreck in open water.)Dive Information
Access: **Boat only** (no shore access) Entry Point: Launch from port near Long Point / Lake Erie side Conditions: Lake Erie mid‑summer conditions: possible thermoclines, moderate currents, wind chop; visibility likely variable (5–20 ft or more depending on sediment and time of year) Depth Range: ~120 ft (≈ 37 m) Emergency Contacts: Nearest U.S. Coast Guard station in Erie / Buffalo; Canadian side Coast Guard near Long Point region Permits: Check provincial/state regulations for underwater heritage in Ontario / U.S. jurisdictions Dive Support: Closest dive shops or charters likely in Port Dover, Port Rowan, or Erie regionCrew & Casualty Memorials
The names of the lost two crew members are not listed in the known secondary sources. Survivor names (if any) are also not recorded. Newspaper obituaries or local records (Long Point, Port Dover, Detroit) would be good places to check. Search suggestions: Local Ontario / U.S. newspapers circa July 1872, Lloyd’s casualty lists, or maritime insurance files might yield names.Documented Statements & Extracts
“The schooner D. L. Couch sprang a leak within 15 miles of Long Point and sunk. The crew were rescued by the schooner Citizen.”
“Built on the hull of the old schooner Acorn … Date of loss: 18 July 1872 … Bound Buffalo for Detroit … sprang a leak in heavy weather off Long Point … people taken off by Citizen … sank in 20 fathoms.”
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
The *D.L. Couch* is listed in secondary wreck databases with Official Number **6503**. :contentReference[oaicite:16]{index=16} She appears in casualty lists around 1872 as lost. *Merchant Vessels of the U.S.* (1874 edition) marks her “wrecked” status in the register.Nonetheless, no surviving enrollment logs or insurance claim files have been located from accessible online sources. Further research in U.S. and Canadian marine registers (e.g. U.S. National Archives, Canadian Department of Marine) might uncover her enrollment history and insurance documentation.Site Documentation & Imaging
No underwater survey imagery, sonar maps, or 3D models have been located in public repositories. The wreck remains undocumented in modern archaeological databases (at least as of my last search). If a search expedition is mounted, side-scan sonar, ROV imaging, and photogrammetric modeling would be recommended.Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL)
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
- Newspapers.com
- Find A Grave
References
- “History of the Great Lakes – Schooner D. L. Couch sprang a leak … crew rescued by Citizen.” (Link via maritime history summary)
- “C – Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (D.L. Couch)” – listing of *Couch*, built 1855, lost July 1872.
- “Lost Leviathans: Lake Erie – Brendon Baillod” – listing *D.L. Couch* at 84 ft (alternate dimension) and sinking 8 mi off Long Point.