Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: DeWitt Clinton
- Type: Two-mast wooden scow-schooner
- Year Built: 1849
- Builder: Fairport, Ohio
- Dimensions: Approximately 81 ft × 18 ft × 5 ft; 67 tons burden
- Registered Tonnage: Not recorded
- Location: Near mouth of the Kalamazoo River (modern Saugatuck/Douglas, MI)
- Official Number: Not recorded
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Two-mast wooden scow-schooner, rigged for cargo.
Description
The DeWitt Clinton was built in 1849 and was part of the early scow-schooner freight fleets operating out of Lake Michigan ports. Designed for cargo hauls, particularly lumber, it was typical of the trade for scow rigs during that era.
History
Built in 1849, the DeWitt Clinton was utilized for cargo transportation, primarily lumber, which was a common trade for scow-schooners of the time.
Significant Incidents
Significant incidents include:
- Caught in a fierce late-season winter storm, the DeWitt Clinton capsized while carrying lumber.
- While bound from the Kalamazoo River to Chicago, she lost her yawl/small boat in the gale, but the entire crew survived.
- One crew member swam ashore with a line, successfully rescuing all hands.
Final Disposition
The DeWitt Clinton capsized on November 18, 1855, near the mouth of the Kalamazoo River. The wreck is believed to be located within shallow nearshore waters of Lake Michigan, close to the river mouth.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck may remain inverted and partially submerged close to shore. Cold lake temperatures and shallower depths may have preserved hull timbers, although sedimentation may have buried remains.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”dewitt-clinton-1849″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the DeWitt Clinton highlights the seasonal risks of late-autumn navigation on Lake Michigan, particularly for smaller vessels. The rescue of the crew illustrates remarkable courage and skill in dire circumstances, making it a significant historical event.
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: DeWitt Clinton
- Built: 1849 at Fairport, Ohio
- Type: Two‑mast wooden scow‑schooner, rigged for cargo
- Dimensions: Approximately 81 ft × 18 ft × 5 ft; 67 tons burden (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Official Number: Not recorded
- Loss Date: November 18, 1855
- Last Known Location: Near mouth of the Kalamazoo River ([modern Saugatuck/Douglas, MI]) on Lake Michigan (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Incident & Circumstances of Sinking
Caught in a fierce late-season winter storm, the DeWitt Clinton capsized while carrying lumber. Being bound from the Kalamazoo River to Chicago, she lost her yawl/small boat in the gale, but the entire crew survived. They clung to the overturned hull until one crew member swam ashore with a line, successfully rescuing all hands (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Vessel History & Operation
- Built in 1849, she belonged to early scow-schooner freight fleets operating out of Lake Michigan ports.
- Built for cargo hauls such as lumber, a typical trade for scow rigs during that era.
Archival & Research Gaps
- Builder & Registration: Original enrollment or customs documents at Fairport or Buffalo could provide official dimensions, tonnage, and ownership details.
- Crew & Command: Names and roles of the crew, including the sailor who swam for safety, are unlisted.
- Weather Record: Mid-November storm conditions could be examined via historical weather logs or period press.
- Contemporary Coverage: Michigan newspapers (e.g., Saugatuck Commercial, Chicago Tribune) in November 1855 may report the dramatic rescue and loss.
- Wreck Status: Location records or surveys could be sought near the Kalamazoo/Saugatuck channel for archaeological remains or local lore.
Wreck & Exploration Prospects
- Probable Wreck Area: Within shallow nearshore waters of Lake Michigan, near the Kalamazoo River mouth. Hull may remain inverted and partially submerged close to shore.
- Potential Conditions: Cold lake temperatures and shallower depth may have preserved hull timbers; however, sedimentation may have buried remains.
- Survey Strategy:
- Remote sensing survey: Side-scan sonar and magnetometer across the 1855 storm impact zone
- Shallow diver reconnaissance: To verify structural remnants near shore
- Local inquiry: Community interviews may reveal oral history or finds (e.g., timbers at low water)
Historical Significance
- The loss speaks to the seasonal risks of late-autumn navigation on Lake Michigan, especially for smaller scow-schooners.
- The rescue illustrates seafaring courage and boat handling under desperate circumstances; a single swimmer’s act saving the entire crew is a compelling human story.
- The DeWitt Clinton embodies mid-19th-century commercial shipping on the inland seas, predating large steamers.
Recommended Next Steps
- Archive Request: Enrollment logs from U.S. Customs or Fairport/Buffalo district archives for DeWitt Clinton
- Newspaper Retrieval: Locate November 1855 editions of local and Chicago papers for detailed incident accounts
- Field Reconnaissance: Coordinate with local Michigan maritime archaeologists for sonar scanning in the Kalamazoo River mouth approach
- Weather Data: Consult NOAA historical records to reconstruct the November 1855 storm