Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Eva
- Type: Wooden vessel
- Year Built: 1881
- Builder: Unknown (likely in Michigan)
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Not documented
- Location: Lake Huron, Michigan side
- Coordinates: Exact coordinates unknown
- Official Number: Not available
- Original Owners: Not specified
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Eva is classified as a wooden vessel, possibly a schooner, barge, or steam-assisted craft. The exact rigging and propulsion details are not specified in the available records.
Description
Little is known about the Eva’s physical characteristics, including its cargo capacity, as no tonnage or capacity data has been documented. The vessel was built in 1881, likely in a Michigan yard, but the exact builder and hull number remain unverified.
History
The Eva’s service history is largely undocumented, with no records detailing its operations or ownership prior to its loss. The vessel is primarily noted for its destruction by fire in April 1896.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: April 1896 (exact day unspecified)
- Cause: Destroyed by fire, presumed total loss; details regarding the fire are minimal.
- Location: General area of Lake Huron, Michigan side; exact coordinates or port location unknown.
- Casualties / Crew: Not specified; no records regarding survivors or fatalities.
Final Disposition
The Eva was lost to fire in April 1896, with no further details available regarding the incident. The vessel is presumed to be a total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, the Eva remains an obscure and under-documented wreck. There are no known remains or artifacts accessible for exploration, and the exact location of the wreck is unknown.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”eva1881″ title=”References & Links”]
To develop a comprehensive profile of the Eva, further research is needed, including consultations of registry data, period newspapers, and specialized maritime archives.
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.
Identification & Construction
- Built: 1881 (likely in a Michigan yard; exact builder and hull number remain unverified)
- Type: Wooden vessel—possibly a schooner, barge, or steam-assisted; exact rigging and propulsion not specified in available brief records
- Cargo Capacity: Not documented—no tonnage or capacity data found
Final Incident & Loss
- Date of Loss: April 1896 (exact day unspecified)
- Cause: Destroyed by fire, presumed total loss (“fire—none?” note indicates no further details)
- Location: General area—Lake Huron, Michigan side; exact coordinates or port location unknown
- Casualties / Crew: Not specified; no records regarding survivors or fatalities
Available Records & Citations
- A truncated notation exists in Great Lakes shipwreck indices listing year, “Apr,” “fire,” and “none?” casualties, final location “Huron”
- There are no extended accounts in major incident logs, maritime registers, or contemporary newspapers readily searchable
- Secondary source searches (e.g. Wikipedia for related incidents) yield no further clues (tile.loc.gov, nyshistoricnewspapers.org, sheboyganwi.gov)
Research Gaps & Next Steps
| Area | Proposed Research |
|---|---|
| Vessel Details | Locate ship registration data (official number), tonnage, and build info via U.S. Customs, Great Lakes Registers, or BGSU HCGL files |
| Contemporary Accounts | Search mid-April 1896 editions of newspapers (e.g. Detroit Free Press, Bay City Times, Port Huron Michigan Times) for fire reports |
| Insurance Records | Marine and hull insurance files often had records of total loss by fire |
| Coast Guard / Lighthouse Logs | Lake Huron station logs may mention report of vessel aflame or loss, including location and crew rescue |
| Archival Correspondence | Letters or logs held in state archives (Michigan, Ontario) may carry notes on the incident |
| Side-Scan/ROV Dive Search | If approximate area found, underwater survey may confirm any hull remains |
Summary
At present, EVA is an obscure, under-documented Great Lakes vessel lost to fire in April 1896 on Lake Huron. The incident is recorded only in summary form—there’s no evidence of the type of vessel, crew outcomes, or precise location. To develop a full shipwreck profile, we’ll need to consult registry data, period newspapers, and specialized maritime archives.
eva1881 1896-04-18 16:11:00