Delaware – Lake Huron Shipwreck (1930)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Schooner Barge Delaware
• Type: Wooden Schooner Barge
• Year Built: 1868
• Builder: Campbell and Owen
• Dimensions: 173.6 ft (52.9 m); Beam: 30.4 ft (9.3 m); Depth of hold: 13.6 ft (4.1 m)
• Registered Tonnage: Gross: 547 tons
• Location: Sturgeon Bay, near Drummond Island, Lake Huron
• Coordinates: Latitude 45° 59.920′ North, Longitude 83° 49.500′ West
• Original Owners: Samuel Shields and Earl Weston

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Delaware was a wooden schooner barge, originally built for the iron ore trade, with a sturdy design to handle the heavy bulk cargos of coal, iron ore, and grain common to the Great Lakes trade. Later in its career, it transitioned to the lumber trade, serving as a “lumber hooker” transporting timber. Schooner barges like the Delaware were typically towed by steamers, reflecting the transitional phase of Great Lakes shipping from sail to steam propulsion.

Description

The Delaware now rests in the shallow waters of Sturgeon Bay near Drummond Island. The remnants of its hull and a few scattered artifacts remain visible, but the vessel is not a prominent dive site due to its deteriorated condition and lack of significant underwater features. However, it is accessible to snorkelers and kayakers and serves as a quiet memorial to the schooner barge’s storied history.

History

The Delaware was launched in 1868 at the Campbell and Owen shipyard in Detroit and began its career as a bulk freighter. Initially owned by its builders, the vessel quickly became a key player in the iron ore trade. In 1871, it was sold to H.J. Winslow of Buffalo and became a part of the prominent Winslow fleet, known for its substantial presence in Cleveland’s shipping industry.

By 1885, the Delaware had joined the Wilson fleet and continued its vital role in transporting bulk cargo. In 1887, while carrying pig iron, the vessel wrecked at Hammond Bay, Michigan. However, it was successfully raised, rebuilt, and returned to service. This resilience marked the beginning of its extended career on the Great Lakes.

In 1898, the vessel was purchased by the Blodgett fleet, serving for nearly three decades as a lumber carrier. By 1926, after 58 years of service, the Delaware began to show its age. Its final registered owners were Samuel Shields and Earl Weston of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, who acquired it in 1926. After 1927, official records of the Delaware ceased.

Local legends suggest the Delaware was taken to Drummond Island to serve as a crib for a dock construction project. However, the dock was never built, and the schooner barge was abandoned in Sturgeon Bay.

Significant Incidents

• Wrecked at Hammond Bay, Michigan in 1887 while carrying pig iron; successfully raised and rebuilt.

Final Disposition

The Delaware now rests in the shallow waters of Sturgeon Bay near Drummond Island. The remnants of its hull and a few scattered artifacts remain visible, but the vessel is not a prominent dive site due to its deteriorated condition and lack of significant underwater features. However, it is accessible to snorkelers and kayakers and serves as a quiet memorial to the schooner barge’s storied history.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is largely broken apart, with only the bottom of the hull remaining visible. The site is accessible for snorkelers, kayakers, and small boat explorers. Its shallow depth makes it unsuitable for technical diving but ideal for casual exploration by history enthusiasts.

Resources & Links

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The story of the Delaware is a testament to the endurance and resilience of Great Lakes vessels and the sailors who manned them. From its launch in Detroit in 1868 to its mysterious abandonment in Sturgeon Bay, the Delaware encapsulates nearly six decades of maritime history. While its physical remains are minimal, its story endures as part of the rich tapestry of the Great Lakes’ maritime legacy.