Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: DREADNAUGHT
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1877
- Builder: East Saginaw, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 42 ft (12.8 m); Beam: 12 ft (3.7 m); Depth of hold: 3 ft (0.9 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 11 tons; Net Tonnage: 10 tons
- Location: Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron near Au Gres, Michigan
- Official Number: 6947
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The DREADNAUGHT was a wooden schooner, a type of sailing vessel characterized by its two or more masts rigged fore-and-aft, commonly used for cargo transport in the 19th century.
Description
The DREADNAUGHT was a modestly sized wooden schooner constructed in 1877 in East Saginaw, Michigan. Designed for versatility, her compact dimensions made her suitable for navigating the various waterways of the Great Lakes region.
History
On September 11, 1886, while operating in Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron near Au Gres, Michigan, the DREADNAUGHT collided with the tug CHENEY. The impact caused the schooner to sink. Initial assessments deemed her unsalvageable; however, she was successfully recovered the following spring. The vessel continued to operate until she was abandoned in 1899. Some sources suggest a possible confusion with another vessel, the DREADNAUGHT (Official Number 6837).
Significant Incidents
- September 11, 1886: Collided with the tug CHENEY, resulting in sinking.
- Spring 1887: Successfully recovered after initial assessments deemed her unsalvageable.
- 1899: Abandoned.
Final Disposition
After her abandonment in 1899, there are no detailed records regarding the final disposition of the DREADNAUGHT.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There are no records indicating that the wreck of the DREADNAUGHT has been located or surveyed to date.
Resources & Links
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The DREADNAUGHT’s history reflects the challenges faced by small wooden schooners operating on the Great Lakes in the late 19th century. Despite setbacks such as collisions and sinkings, vessels like the DREADNAUGHT were integral to regional commerce and transportation.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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