Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: E.F. Gain
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Michigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The E.F. Gain was a wooden schooner primarily used for lumber transport. The specific shipyard where it was built has not yet been identified.
Description
The E.F. Gain was engaged in the lumber trade when it met its fate. On September 9, 1875, the vessel was caught in a severe autumn storm, which led to its grounding on a lee shore. The hull became waterlogged, resulting in the vessel sinking. Fortunately, all crew members survived the incident, managing to swim ashore safely.
History
Reports indicate that the E.F. Gain was caught in a severe autumn storm, which caused it to be driven ashore. The vessel sustained significant hull damage, took on water, and eventually sank. The crew’s successful escape, with no recorded fatalities, highlights the resilience of those aboard.
Significant Incidents
- The E.F. Gain was caught in a severe autumn storm.
- The vessel was thrown onto a lee shore, sustained hull damage, took on water, and eventually sank.
- Crew made a successful escape by swimming to shore, with no recorded fatalities.
Final Disposition
After the grounding and subsequent sinking, the E.F. Gain remains unlocated. The wreck site is hypothesized to be in shallow waters off a lee shore in Michigan or Wisconsin.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Given the circumstances of the sinking, the remains of the E.F. Gain may include hull fragments, iron fittings, and remnants of its lumber cargo. Further investigation is needed to locate the wreck site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”e-f-gain-1867″ title=”References & Links”]
The E.F. Gain serves as a significant reminder of the mid-19th-century lumber schooners that frequently faced the hazards of seasonal storms. Its wreck emphasizes the dangers of lee-shore grounding, and locating its remains could provide valuable insights into the construction and navigation practices of the time.
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: E. F. Gain
- Built: 1867 (specific shipyard not yet identified)
- Type: Wooden schooner, used in lumber transport
- Final Voyage: Carried a load of lumber when caught in a storm
- Loss Date: September 9, 1875
- Incident: Driven ashore during a gale; the hull became waterlogged and she sank.
- Crew Evacuation: All crew members survived, swimming ashore safely.
Incident & Disposition
- Reports indicate E. F. Gain was caught in a severe autumn storm.
- The vessel was thrown onto a lee shore, sustained hull damage, took on water, and eventually sank.
- Crew made a successful escape by swimming to shore, with no recorded fatalities.
Archival & Research Gaps
Much remains unknown about the E. F. Gain. The following key information is missing and warrants investigation:
- Construction Details: Shipyard, dimensions, tonnage, and ownership records—held likely in U.S. Customs enrolment registries (circa 1867–1875).
- Voyage Route & Origin Port: Determine where she departed and intended destination.
- Crew Manifest: Names, positions, and survival details, possibly listed in crew registries or newspaper accounts.
- Weather Conditions: Early September 1875 storm logs from NOAA or Canadian meteorological archives can provide context.
- Locate Wreck Site: Identifying grounding location via old charts or local histories would allow targeted survey.
- Press and Official Reports: Newspapers or Marine Court documents from September 1875 (e.g., Milwaukee, Duluth, or other Lake Michigan ports) could hold rescue and wreck accounts.
Wreck & Archaeological Potential
- Site Hypothesis: Likely grounded on a lee shore in Michigan or Wisconsin; remains may lie offshore in shallow water.
- Remains Condition: Given the sinking post-grounding, remnants might include hull fragments, iron fittings, and lumber cargo.
- Recommended Survey Steps:
- Review 1875 nautical charts to narrow potential wreck areas.
- Perform side-scan sonar and magnetometer sweeps along those shorelines.
- Conduct shoreline-diver reconnaissance or beach combing to locate structural fragments and artifacts.
Historical Significance
- E. F. Gain typifies mid-19th-century lumber schooners that frequently encountered seasonal storms—her wreck emphasizes hazards of lee-shore grounding.
- With no loss of life and a crew survival story, the wreck offers both human and material culture insights into Great Lakes maritime operations.
- Locating her remains could enrich knowledge of wooden schooner construction and late-season navigation practices of the 1870s.
Suggested Next Actions
- Archive Request: Enquire at National Archives (Detroit/Milwaukee or Buffalo/Chicago district) for enrolment files, registry, and crew manifests (1867–75).
- Newspaper Retrieval: Search Great Lakes port newspapers for September 1875 for rescue and wreck reports.
- Meteorological Data: Obtain early September lake storm logs to understand environmental conditions at the time.
- Historical Chart Study: Examine 19th-century nautical charts to identify likely grounding zones.
- Site Survey Planning: Coordinate with Great Lakes maritime archaeologists for underwater and shoreline field surveys.