Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Don M. Dickinson
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1858
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft; Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: At the head of an island in the Detroit River
- Coordinates: Not known
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Though specific classification isn’t detailed, based on the name and the 1858 construction date, Don M. Dickinson was likely a wooden schooner or schooner-barge—commonly used for cargo movement on inland waterways. These vessels were often moored overnight along pilings or docks and were vulnerable to accidental or arson-related fires.
Description
On the evening of October 11, 1888, the Don M. Dickinson was moored at the head of an island in the Detroit River. While tied to pilings for the night, the vessel caught fire under unexplained circumstances.
There is no official record indicating salvage or recovery, nor is there documentation of fatalities, suggesting the fire was either discovered in time for crew to evacuate or occurred while uncrewed.
History
Burned at mooring. The wreck is presumed lost unless later raised or salvaged. No known modern dive site or confirmed GPS location has been published.
Significant Incidents
- Fire of unknown origin while moored on October 11, 1888.
Final Disposition
The wreck is presumed lost unless later raised or salvaged. No known modern dive site or confirmed GPS location has been published.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Details regarding the current condition of the wreck are not available, and it remains unconfirmed if the wreck has been located.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”don-m-dickinson-1858″ title=”References & Links”]
The Don M. Dickinson serves as a reminder of the maritime history of the Detroit River and the vulnerabilities of vessels during their mooring periods.
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.
WRECK SUMMARY
- Type: Schooner (assumed based on era and use)
- Length: Not specified
- Loss of Life: None reported
- Location: Detroit River
- GPS: Not known
- Depth: Unknown
IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
- Vessel Name: Don M. Dickinson
- Type: Likely wooden schooner or schooner-barge
- Built: 1858
- Flag/Registry: United States
- Final Voyage: October 11, 1888
- Final Resting Place: At the head of an island in the Detroit River (exact island not specified)
- Cause: Fire of unknown origin while moored
- Casualties: No loss of life reported
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
Though specific classification isn’t detailed, based on the name and the 1858 construction date, Don M. Dickinson was likely a wooden schooner or schooner-barge—commonly used for cargo movement on inland waterways. These vessels were often moored overnight along pilings or docks and were vulnerable to accidental or arson-related fires.
HISTORY
On the evening of October 11, 1888, the Don M. Dickinson was moored at the head of an island in the Detroit River. While tied to pilings for the night, the vessel caught fire under unexplained circumstances.
There is no official record indicating salvage or recovery, nor is there documentation of fatalities, suggesting the fire was either discovered in time for crew to evacuate or occurred while uncrewed.
FINAL DISPOSITION
Burned at mooring. The wreck is presumed lost unless later raised or salvaged. No known modern dive site or confirmed GPS location has been published.
REFERENCES & LINKS
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Great Lakes Ships – Bowling Green State University
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
- GreatLakesShips.org
Let me know if you’d like a dedicated record started under the Detroit River section of the Shotline site or if you’d prefer a research placeholder until further info turns up.Here is a structured shipwreck record for the Don M. Dickinson, formatted for Shotline Diving and automatically queued for addition to the Master Index under Detroit River:
WRECK SUMMARY
- Type: Schooner (assumed based on era and use)
- Length: Not specified
- Loss of Life: None reported
- Location: Detroit River
- GPS: Not known
- Depth: Unknown
IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
- Vessel Name: Don M. Dickinson
- Type: Likely wooden schooner or schooner-barge
- Built: 1858
- Flag/Registry: United States
- Final Voyage: October 11, 1888
- Final Resting Place: At the head of an island in the Detroit River (exact island not specified)
- Cause: Fire of unknown origin while moored
- Casualties: No loss of life reported
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
Though specific classification isn’t detailed, based on the name and the 1858 construction date, Don M. Dickinson was likely a wooden schooner or schooner-barge—commonly used for cargo movement on inland waterways. These vessels were often moored overnight along pilings or docks and were vulnerable to accidental or arson-related fires.
HISTORY
On the evening of October 11, 1888, the Don M. Dickinson was moored at the head of an island in the Detroit River. While tied to pilings for the night, the vessel caught fire under unexplained circumstances.
There is no official record indicating salvage or recovery, nor is there documentation of fatalities, suggesting the fire was either discovered in time for crew to evacuate or occurred while uncrewed.
FINAL DISPOSITION
Burned at mooring. The wreck is presumed lost unless later raised or salvaged. No known modern dive site or confirmed GPS location has been published.
REFERENCES & LINKS
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Great Lakes Ships – Bowling Green State University
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
- GreatLakesShips.org