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.
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