Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: David Macy
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1878
- Builder: Duncan Robertson in Grand Haven, Michigan
- Dimensions: 127 ft × 26 ft × 8 ft; 193 GRT / 183 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 193 GRT / 183 NRT
- Location: Off Bar Point, Lake Erie
- Official Number: 6958
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A mid-size freight schooner typical of late-19th-century Great Lakes commerce, designed for transporting bulk or general cargo between smaller ports.
Description
Constructed of wood, the David Macy measured 127 feet in length with a beam of 26 feet. Registered in Spring Lake, Michigan, she was a standard schooner freighter, relying on sail for propulsion and coastal navigation.
History
On the night of 21 September 1896, the David Macy was involved in a nighttime collision with the steamer Fedora near Bar Point in Lake Erie. The impact sheared her hull down to the waterline. Though seriously damaged, the crew escaped in the yawl and successfully reached shore at Amherstburg the following morning. There were no reported casualties.
Significant Incidents
- Collision with the steamer Fedora on 21 September 1896, resulting in severe hull damage.
- All crew members survived and reached shore safely.
Final Disposition
Despite heavy damage, the vessel remained afloat long enough for her crew’s escape. No records indicate a salvage operation; the schooner was likely declared a total loss and abandoned.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No subsequent dive survey or maritime archaeological documentation exists. Its operational loss was recorded in late 19th-century shipping records and a handful of secondary sources. There are no current navigational hazards related to her wreck, which sank in relatively deep coastal water.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”david-macy-us-6958″ title=”References & Links”]
The David Macy exemplifies the dangers of nighttime navigation on the Great Lakes, where atmospheric conditions and limited visibility could turn routine voyages fatal. Fortunately, all crew survived a serious collision after abandoning in their yawl. The wreck sits undisturbed beneath Lake Erie’s surface, unmarked and undocumented by modern surveys.
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
- Name: David Macy
- Built: 1878, by Duncan Robertson in Grand Haven, Michigan
- Vessel Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Official Number: 6958
- Dimensions: 127 ft × 26 ft × 8 ft; 193 GRT / 183 NRT (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Cargo at Loss: Not recorded (presumably general freight)
- Crew: No fatalities reported
- Date Lost: 21 September 1896
- Final Location: Off Bar Point, Lake Erie — collision occurred at night
- Towage/Towing: Not under tow—operating independently (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Vessel Type
A mid-size freight schooner typical of late-19th-century Great Lakes commerce, designed for transporting bulk or general cargo between smaller ports.
Description
Constructed of wood, the David Macy measured 127 feet in length with a beam of 26 feet. Registered in Spring Lake, Michigan, she was a standard schooner freighter, relying on sail for propulsion and coastal navigation.
History & Loss
On the night of 21 September 1896, the David Macy was involved in a nighttime collision with the steamer Fedora near Bar Point in Lake Erie. The impact sheared her hull down to the waterline. Though seriously damaged, the crew escaped in the yawl and successfully reached shore at Amherstburg the following morning. There were no reported casualties (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).
Final Disposition
Despite heavy damage, the vessel remained afloat long enough for her crew’s escape. No records indicate a salvage operation; the schooner was likely declared a total loss and abandoned.
Located By & Date Found
No subsequent dive survey or maritime archaeological documentation exists. Its operational loss was recorded in late 19th-century shipping records and a handful of secondary sources.
Notations & Advisories
There are no current navigational hazards related to her wreck, which sank in relatively deep coastal water.
Conclusion
The David Macy exemplifies the dangers of nighttime navigation on the Great Lakes, where atmospheric conditions and limited visibility could turn routine voyages fatal. Fortunately, all crew survived a serious collision after abandoning in their yawl. The wreck sits undisturbed beneath Lake Erie’s surface, unmarked and undocumented by modern surveys.
Suggested Keywords: David Macy collision, Fedora steamer, 1896 night accident, Lake Erie schooner wreck
Categories:
- Lake Erie maritime incidents
- 19th-century schooner collisions
- nighttime navigation dangers
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – David Macy: includes build details, collision summary, crew rescue, and hull damage (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)