Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Desmond
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1892
- Builder:
- Dimensions: 121 ft (37 m); Beam: Approx. 23 ft (7 m); Depth of hold: Approx. 9 ft (2.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Estimated 230-270 tons
- Location: Likely in southern Lake Michigan near the Michigan shoreline
- Official Number: No official number confirmed in available indexes
- Number of Masts: Two-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled, two-masted schooner, designed for general freight and seasonal grain or lumber trade on the Great Lakes. Vessels like the Desmond were common “canallers” or lake freighters of moderate size, able to navigate through the Welland Canal and handle a variety of bulk cargos.
Description
The Desmond would have had a fore-and-aft rig with a centreboard, a straight stem, and a broad, open cargo hold with minimal deck structures except for a small forward cabin. Construction was robust for carrying general freight but susceptible to heavy seas once leaks began.
History
Construction and Service
Built in 1892, the Desmond spent 25 years in the Great Lakes trade, transporting grain, lumber, and coal among ports including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit. Schooners of this class were economically vital in handling bulk goods before widespread steel steamers fully dominated the trade.
Final Voyage and Loss
On 8 December 1917, the Desmond was caught in a severe gale while carrying an undisclosed cargo. She began leaking heavily, likely from opened seams in pounding seas. Attempts to manage the pumps failed, and the vessel capsized in the storm. Of her 13-man crew, 7 were lost. Six survivors were rescued by local fishermen near the Michigan shoreline after the capsized vessel was spotted adrift.
Significant Incidents
- 8 December 1917: Caught in a severe gale, the Desmond began leaking and capsized, resulting in the loss of 7 crew members.
Final Disposition
The Desmond sank after capsizing and was considered a total loss. No record of successful salvage exists, and the vessel is presumed to have broken up or settled in deep water.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No confirmed wreck discovery has been documented. The presumed wreck location remains uncharted.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”desmond1892″ title=”References & Links”]
The Desmond’s capsizing in December 1917 illustrates how vulnerable wooden schooners remained even in the early 20th century, especially in fierce winter gales. The combination of hull stress, cold weather, and leaks proved fatal for more than half the crew. With no known wreck discovery, the Desmond stands as a poignant symbol of the hundreds of small freighters that perished in the Great Lakes’ harsh weather.
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
- Vessel Name: Desmond
- Registry: United States (no official number confirmed in available indexes)
- Year Built: 1892
- Hull Material: Wood
- Rig: Two-masted schooner
- Length: Approx. 37 m (121 ft) (typical for schooners of her era)
- Beam: Approx. 7 m (23 ft) estimated
- Depth: Approx. 2.7 m (9 ft) estimated
- Gross/Net Tonnage: Estimated 230–270 tons (not definitively recorded)
- Date Lost: 8 December 1917
- Final Location: Likely in southern Lake Michigan near the Michigan shoreline
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled, two-masted schooner, designed for general freight and seasonal grain or lumber trade on the Great Lakes. Vessels like the Desmond were common “canallers” or lake freighters of moderate size, able to navigate through the Welland Canal and handle a variety of bulk cargos.
Description
The Desmond would have had a fore-and-aft rig with a centreboard, a straight stem, and a broad, open cargo hold with minimal deck structures except for a small forward cabin. Construction was robust for carrying general freight but susceptible to heavy seas once leaks began.
History
Construction and Service
Built in 1892, the Desmond spent 25 years in the Great Lakes trade, transporting grain, lumber, and coal among ports including Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit. Schooners of this class were economically vital in handling bulk goods before widespread steel steamers fully dominated the trade.
Final Voyage and Loss
On 8 December 1917, the Desmond was caught in a severe gale while carrying an undisclosed cargo. She began leaking heavily, likely from opened seams in pounding seas. Attempts to manage the pumps failed, and the vessel capsized in the storm. Of her 13-man crew, 7 were lost. Six survivors were rescued by local fishermen near the Michigan shoreline after the capsized vessel was spotted adrift.
Final Disposition
The Desmond sank after capsizing and was considered a total loss. No record of successful salvage exists, and the vessel is presumed to have broken up or settled in deep water.
Located By & Date Found
No confirmed wreck discovery has been documented. The presumed wreck location remains uncharted.
Notmars & Advisories
None noted.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Vessels (BGSU)
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Chronicling America Newspaper Archives
Conclusion
The Desmond’s capsizing in December 1917 illustrates how vulnerable wooden schooners remained even in the early 20th century, especially in fierce winter gales. The combination of hull stress, cold weather, and leaks proved fatal for more than half the crew. With no known wreck discovery, the Desmond stands as a poignant symbol of the hundreds of small freighters that perished in the Great Lakes’ harsh weather.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
- Keywords: Desmond, schooner, Lake Michigan, 1917 shipwreck, Great Lakes gale, capsizing, crew rescue
- Categories: 20th Century Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, Great Lakes Disasters, Michigan Shipwrecks
- Glossary: capsize, gale, centreboard schooner, canaller, derelict
If you’d like, I can help you search old newspapers for survivor interviews or insurance reports on the Desmond — just say yes.
desmond1892 1917-12-08 21:23:00