Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Danube
- Type: Wooden barkentine (three-masted)
- Year Built: 1852
- Builder: N. Collins, Oswego, New York
- Dimensions: 134 ft (40.8 m); 25½ ft beam; 11½ ft depth
- Registered Tonnage: ~369 gross tons
- Location: Unknown
- Official Number: 6 109
- Original Owners: Moses Merrick & John Miner (Merrick & Co.)
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Danube was a wooden barkentine, a type of sailing vessel characterized by its three masts. Initially built for bulk trade, it later underwent conversion to a timber barge.
Description
Constructed in 1852, the Danube measured 134 feet in length, with a beam of 25½ feet and a depth of 11½ feet. It was registered at approximately 369 gross tons and was equipped with a centerboard hull design.
History
The Danube was actively engaged in trade across Lake Ontario and beyond from 1853 until its loss in the late 1880s. Throughout its operational history, it experienced several incidents, including groundings and collisions, which led to its conversion into a timber barge in 1868.
Significant Incidents
- 1853 Grounding: Went ashore on Peach Island, St. Clair River.
- 1856: Grounded on Round Island, Straits of Mackinac; later refloated.
- 1858–1863: Repeated minor incidents including groundings and collisions.
- 1868: Converted to a timber barge.
Final Disposition
Records indicate that the Danube likely wrecked around 1884, with a total loss documented on November 20, 1890. The vessel broke adrift during a gale while being towed and was later declared a constructive total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The exact wreck location of the Danube remains unknown. Contemporary accounts suggest it grounded ashore and broke into pieces, with any remains likely destroyed or removed. Salvage attempts were noted, but the vessel faded from records after 1888.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”danube-us-6109″ title=”References & Links”]
The Danube serves as a significant example of the transition from sail-powered vessels to barges in the Great Lakes, highlighting the challenges faced by wooden vessels in adverse conditions.
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 & Vessel Details
- Name: Danube
- Official Number: 6 109
- Year Built: 1852
- Built At: Oswego, New York by N. Collins
- Type: Wooden barkentine (three-masted)
- Original Owner: Moses Merrick & John Miner (Merrick & Co.)
- Dimensions: 134 ft L, 25½ ft beam, 11½ ft depth; ~369 gross tons
- Registry: Oswego, Great Lakes service
- Hull: Wood (centerboard-equipped) as per lab-built records (wisconsinshipwrecks.org, internationalmaritimelibrary.org, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia)
Operational History
- 1853–1860s: Regularly engaged in bulk trade—carrying salt, lumber, etc.—across Lake Ontario and beyond
- 1853 Grounding: Went ashore on Peach Island, St. Clair River
- 1856: Grounded on Round Island, Straits of Mackinac; later refloated (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- 1858–1863: Repeated minor incidents including grounding (Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, St. Clair) and collisions with Robert Burns and Dreadnought in the Huron and St. Clair passages
- 1868: Converted to a timber barge, reinforcing its hull and adapting it for tow use
Final Incident & Loss
- Approximately 1884: Likely wrecked—records indicate loss but site and date unspecified (Wikipedia, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- 20 November 1890: Document annotated “Wrecked – total loss” surrendered at Port Huron, official registry closed (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Possible Cause: Broke adrift from tow (A.P. Wright) during gale; ashore and rescued by Life-Saving Service; partially recovered later, but ultimately declared a constructive total loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Wreck Site & Current Condition
- Unknown wreck location: Contemporary accounts suggest she grounded ashore and broke in pieces; any remains likely destroyed or removed
- Salvage Attempts: Auctioned hulk shows occasional later registry entries (Milwaukee, Chicago) before fading from records after 1888 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Historical & Archaeological Significance
- Danube exemplifies the evolution from sail-powered craft to barges used in tow operations on the Great Lakes
- Her approximate four-decade career demonstrates durability and adaptability—grounded, repaired, converted, and towed
- The circumstances of her breaking adrift in a storm highlight the vulnerabilities of wooden tow-barges
- Lack of precise wreck location emphasizes the challenges in documenting these coastal losses
Key Data Summary
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | 1852, Oswego, NY |
| Type | Wooden barkentine → schooner-barge (1868) |
| Gross Tonnage | ~369 tons |
| Service Lifespan | 1853–c. 1890 |
| Loss Documented | 20 Nov 1890 (registry surrender) |
| Cause of Loss | Grounding/breaking adrift during gale |
| Casualties | None recorded; crew rescued |
| Wreck Condition | Likely destroyed or salvaged; no site identified |
Sources & References
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files on “Danube” details (groundings, conversions, registry note) (wisconsinshipwrecks.org, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia)
- Wisconin Shipwrecks profile confirming centerboard design and build details (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Recommendations for Further Research
- Local Archives: Oswego and Port Huron newspapers (c. 1880s–1890) may hold rescue or auction details
- Life-Saving Service Logs: Could reveal specific station rescue narratives or storm reports
- Registry Records: Municipal and marine registries may note transfer of hull or salvage activity post‑1888