Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Davy Crockett
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1836
- Builder: G. W. Jones at Black River, Ohio
- Dimensions: 114 ft (34.7 m) length × 25 ft beam × 7 ft depth; 228 tons burden
- Registered Tonnage: 228 tons
- Location: St. Joseph River, ~7 miles upstream from Berrien Springs, Michigan
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Davy Crockett was a wooden two-masted schooner, a common vessel type for trade and transport on the Great Lakes during the 19th century.
Description
Built in 1836, the Davy Crockett measured 114 feet in length, 25 feet in beam, and had a depth of 7 feet. It was registered at 228 tons burden, indicating its capacity for cargo.
History
The Davy Crockett was constructed by G. W. Jones at Black River, Ohio, and was operational in the upper reaches of Lake Michigan. Its service history is limited, with few records available regarding its voyages or ownership.
Significant Incidents
- Cause of Loss: The vessel struck a submerged snag, which stove in her hull, leading to her wrecking.
- Crew and Casualties: There is no record of fatalities or survivors; the status of the crew remains undocumented.
Final Disposition
The Davy Crockett wrecked in early August 1836, approximately 7 miles upstream from Berrien Springs in the St. Joseph River. The exact date of the incident is unreported, but it is noted to have occurred in early August.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Details regarding the current condition of the wreck are not documented. Further research may be needed to ascertain its state and accessibility for divers.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”davy-crockett-1836″ title=”References & Links”]
The Davy Crockett remains a significant historical wreck in the St. Joseph River, with ongoing opportunities for research into its construction, service, and the circumstances surrounding its loss.
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.
(Schooner, built 1836, wrecked August 1836)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Built: 1836, by G. W. Jones at Black River, Ohio
- Type: Wooden two‑masted schooner
- Dimensions: 114 ft length × 25 ft beam × 7 ft depth; 228 tons burden
- Loss Date: Early August 1836 (exact day unreported)
- Location: Struck a snag in the St. Joseph River, ~7 miles upstream from Berrien Springs, Michigan, Lake Michigan entry area (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Incident Overview
- Cause of Loss: Struck a submerged snag, stove in her hull, and wrecked (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Crew and Casualties: No record of fatalities or survivors; crew status remains undocumented.
Summary
Davy Crockett was an 1836-built wooden schooner operating in Lake Michigan’s upper reaches. In early August 1836, she struck a submerged cottonwood snag in the St. Joseph River (approximately 7 miles above Berrien Springs), resulting in hull failure and wrecking. There is no evidence of casualties, but details remain sparse.
Remaining Gaps & Next Research Suggestions
| Area of Inquiry | Importance | Potential Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Exact loss date | Anchoring the timeline | St. Joseph/Berrien region newspapers (Aug–Sep 1836) |
| Crew details & survival | Human and logistic context | Local news, riverboat logs, early census travel records |
| Technical specs & ownership | Vessel build details & ownership lineage | HCGL enrollment files or regional ship registries |
| Post‑wreck disposition | Wreck removal or remains documented | River authorizers or early maritime board reports |
| Physical wreck documentation | For archaeological interest | River survey reports or diver mapping archives |
Recommended Research Next Steps
Should you wish to deepen this investigation, I can assist with:
- Searching local newspapers (Aug–Sep 1836) around St. Joseph and Berrien Springs.
- Accessing HCGL enrollment and registry files for full build, ownership, and crew data.
- Seeking records from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers or early navigational authorities for snag-related river incidents.
- Locating archaeological surveys or diver logs in the St. Joseph River corridor.