Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: David A. Wells
- Type: schooner
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder: A. Muir
- Dimensions: 134 ft (40.84 m) X 26 ft (7.92 m); Depth of hold: 12 ft (3.66 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 310 tons
- Location: Approximately 7 miles northeast of Chicago Harbor
- Official Number: 6635
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Originally two-masted, possibly modified to three-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The David A. Wells was a wooden schooner, initially built as a two-masted vessel, though reports from 1871 indicate she may have been modified into a three-masted schooner during her operational life. Schooners were the primary cargo vessels of the Great Lakes during the mid-to-late 19th century, valued for their ability to transport heavy bulk materials like iron ore, lumber, and grain efficiently with minimal crew.
Description
Constructed in 1866 by shipbuilder A. Muir in Port Huron, Michigan, the David A. Wells measured 134 feet in length, with a 26-foot beam and a 12-foot depth of hold, totaling 310 gross tons. Her robust wooden hull was designed to handle the demands of Great Lakes shipping, particularly in the iron ore trade, which connected the mining regions of the Upper Peninsula with the industrial centers of the Midwest.
While originally launched as a two-masted schooner, documentation from 1871 suggests she may have been re-rigged to carry three masts, a common modification to improve sailing efficiency and cargo capacity.
History
The David A. Wells primarily operated in the iron ore trade, hauling ore from the port of Escanaba, Michigan, to industrial hubs like Chicago, where the burgeoning steel industry demanded vast quantities of raw materials. Owned out of Chicago, the vessel regularly traversed Lake Michigan, facing the region’s notorious storms and unpredictable weather.
In the fall of 1873, the schooner went ashore near Silver Creek, New York, and was reportedly abandoned. However, she must have been salvaged and returned to service, as records show her active until her loss in 1880. This incident reflects the common practice of recovering and repairing grounded vessels when economically feasible.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents:
- 1873: Went ashore near Silver Creek, New York, and was reportedly abandoned.
Final Disposition
The David A. Wells remains lost beneath Lake Michigan, near her last known location northeast of Chicago Harbour. Despite the appearance of the spar in 1889, there are no confirmed reports of the wreck being fully located, surveyed, or explored by modern divers. The iron ore cargo, along with the wooden hull, may still be intact in parts, preserved in the cold, fresh waters of Lake Michigan.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Nil – No confirmed discovery of the wreck, though the 1889 sighting of the spar suggests that the remains are likely in the area.
Resources & Links
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The David A. Wells was a sturdy workhorse of the Great Lakes, serving the bustling iron ore trade for over a decade before succumbing to the devastating “Alpena Storm” of 1880. Her sudden disappearance and the subsequent reappearance of her spar in 1889 add an air of mystery to her tragic story. Though her wreck remains undiscovered, she serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by sailors navigating the Great Lakes in the era before modern weather forecasting and maritime safety technologies.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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