Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Ellen Williams
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1855
- Builder: Cleveland, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Callum's Bay, Bois Blanc Island, Detroit River
- Official Number: 7308
- Original Owners: Under tow by the tug Miner in 1906
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden two-masted schooner, built in 1855 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Description
The Ellen Williams was a wooden schooner that met its demise on May 13, 1906, while under tow by the tug Miner. The vessel collided with a known underwater obstruction in the Detroit River, which had previously caused damage to larger vessels.
History
Throughout its service, the Ellen Williams was primarily used for cargo transport. The vessel was under tow when it encountered the submerged obstruction, leading to its sinking in Callum’s Bay.
Significant Incidents
- Loss Date: May 13, 1906
- Cause: Struck submerged obstruction near Bois Blanc Island
- Aftermath: Sank in Callum’s Bay; declared unrecoverable
- Casualties: None reported
Final Disposition
The Ellen Williams sank in Callum’s Bay and was declared a total loss. The vessel’s registry documents were not surrendered until 1910, indicating abandonment without salvage attempts.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Ellen Williams may still be present in Callum’s Bay. A targeted sonar dive could potentially identify her remains and the submerged obstruction that caused her sinking.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”ellen-williams-us-7308″ title=”References & Links”]
Research opportunities include examining newspaper accounts from May 1906, retrieving logs from the tug Miner, and locating historical hydrographic charts of the area. These efforts could provide further insights into the circumstances surrounding the loss of the Ellen Williams.
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.
Wooden Schooner, built 1855; lost May 13, 1906
Vessel Identity & Specs
- Official number: 7308
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Built: 1855 at Cleveland, Ohio
- Owner & Tow: Under tow by the tug Miner in 1906
Final Incident (May 13, 1906)
- Location: South end of Bois Blanc Island (Detroit River region)
- Circumstances: The schooner—under tow by Miner—collided with a known underwater obstruction, which had previously damaged larger vessels.
- Outcome: Ellen Williams managed to drift under her own masts into nearby Callum’s Bay, where she sank and was declared a total loss
- Casualties: None reported; crew presumed safe
Summary Table
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Loss Date | May 13, 1906 |
| Cause | Struck submerged obstruction near Bois Blanc Island |
| Aftermath | Sank in Callum’s Bay; declared unrecoverable |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Registry | Documents not surrendered until 1910, indicating abandonment without salvage |
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Research & Exploration Opportunities
- Newspaper Coverage (May 1906):
Local outlets—Detroit Free Press, Windsor Star—likely reported on the accident and provided obstruction/crew details. - Tow and Harbor Records:
Logs from tug Miner and Detroit River harbour authorities may include specifics on the obstruction and the immediate salvage attempts. - Hydrographic Charts:
Mid-19th to early-20th century surveys of the Detroit River/Bois Blanc corridor could pinpoint the obstruction’s location and why it resisted detection. - Archaeological Status:
Wreck in Callum’s Bay may still be present; a targeted sonar dive may identify her remains and submerged obstruction.
Recommended Next Steps
- Pull May 1906 newspaper accounts for firsthand incident reports
- Retrieve Miner’s tow logs or Detroit River harbor documentation
- Locate historical hydrographic charts around Bois Blanc Island
- Check for archaeological or sonar survey data near Callum’s Bay