Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: E.B. Palmer
• Type: Schooner
• Year Built: 1856
• Builder: Canadian-built
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage:
• Depth at Wreck Site: 4.88 m / 16 ft
• Location: Near Alpena, Michigan
• Original Owners: J.H. Gillett, Marquette, MI

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Schooner E.B. Palmer (built 1856 – sank November 13, 1892)

Description

Identification & Build

• Built in 1856, Canadian-built schooner later registered in the U.S., sailing out of Marquette, Michigan, owned by J.H. Gillett.
• Designed for bulk cargo—likely stone or similar heavy freight.

History

Final Voyage & Loss

• In early November 1892, while navigating Lake Huron, the E.B. Palmer stranded ashore during a storm.
• Though stranded initially, she broke up and sank in deeper water around November 13, when a subsequent gale from the southeast finished her off.
• All hands survived; the crew was rescued by the U.S. Lifesaving Service.

Significant Incidents

Wreck Condition & Archaeological Context

• Wreck debris lies near Alpena, Michigan, at a site approximately 16 ft deep, documented among other Lake Huron wrecks.
• Side-scan and diver surveys by East Carolina University and NOAA have documented wreckage believed to include parts of E.B. Palmer—notably wooden hull fragments—within the Thunder Bay Sanctuary area.

Final Disposition

Historical & Archaeological Significance

• Represents typical late 19th-century working schooners used in Great Lakes stone trade.
• The crew rescue offers an example of U.S. Lifesaving Service operations responding to inland freshwater emergencies.
• The wreck’s preservation and survey status, including positive identification of wooden structure, makes it a valuable candidate for further study, particularly with shallow safety diving in mind.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Next Steps

• Archival Research:
  • Investigate period newspapers like the Alpena News (Nov 1892) for additional logistics—weather conditions, lifeboat crew details, and rescue narratives.
  • Search U.S. Lifesaving Service station logs near Alpena for reports documenting the rescue operation.
• Archaeological Exploration:
  • Build on existing NOAA/ECU survey data to produce a refined site plan with material distribution and target specific structural features.
  • Plan a shallow dive expedition using detailed site maps, under a heritage permit.
• Interpretation and Public Outreach:
  • Develop educational content or signage for Alpena and the Thunder Bay Sanctuary, highlighting both the vessel and the story of its rescue.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”e-b-palmer-1856″ title=”References & Links”]

The wreck of the E.B. Palmer serves as a significant reminder of the maritime history of the Great Lakes and the importance of the U.S. Lifesaving Service in ensuring the safety of sailors during perilous conditions.