Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Don Quixote
- Type: Side-Wheel Steamer
- Year Built: 1836
- Builder: Toledo (then Michigan Territory)
- Dimensions: ~81 × 16 × 4 ft; approx. 51 tons
- Registered Tonnage: ~51 tons
- Location: Near Thunder Bay Island
- Official Number: None recorded
- Original Owners: J. M. Mills of Detroit
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden side-wheel steamer, configured for passengers and package freight.
Description
The Don Quixote was a side-wheel steamer built in 1836, notable for its role in early steam navigation on Lake Huron. It was designed to carry both passengers and freight, including a significant cargo of a printing press intended for the inaugural newspaper in Grand Rapids.
History
The Don Quixote embarked on its final voyage from the Buffalo region, heading towards Grand Rapids, Michigan. Unfortunately, on January 14, 1837, the vessel ran aground and became stranded in shallow waters near Thunder Bay Island. The damage sustained was severe enough to classify the vessel as a total wreck.
Significant Incidents
- Ran aground during early-season winter navigation.
- Deemed a total wreck with the hull partially above water.
- No casualties reported among the crew or passengers.
Final Disposition
- Stranded and partially sunk in shallow water.
- Naturally settled as a total wreck with no subsequent salvage of the hull.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Don Quixote remains in its resting place, with no known salvage operations conducted on the hull. The site may be of interest to divers due to its historical significance and the early use of steam navigation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”don-quixote-1836″ title=”References & Links”]
The Don Quixote serves as a reminder of the early days of steam navigation on the Great Lakes and the cultural importance of its cargo, which contributed to the establishment of Grand Rapids’ first newspaper.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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