Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: F. Morrell
- Type: Wooden-hulled barkentine
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder: Luff & Gilchrist
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage: Approximately 366 tons (old-style)
- Location: Close to Grand Island, Lake Superior
- Number of Masts: Three-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A three-masted barkentine—rigged with square sails on the foremast and fore-and-aft sail on the others—built robustly to carry heavy bulk cargo across Lake Superior’s open waters. With a 366-ton hull, she was designed for iron ore or grain transport.
Description
In November 1874, while carrying roughly 617 tons of iron ore, F. Morrell encountered dense fog and worsening sea conditions near Grand Island. The vessel was driven ashore; fog impaired navigation, and powerful surf pinned her to the shoals. The crew escaped uninjured. The stranded hull remained for several days before breaking up under wave action and was declared a total loss.
History
Unable to refloat, the F. Morrell decomposed where she grounded. The hull was battered to pieces and lost to Lake Superior’s persistent elements.
Significant Incidents
No formal surveys or dives have located her remains. If any remnants exist, they are likely scattered or buried in shallow waters near Grand Island.
Final Disposition
Modern nautical charts mark the Grand Island area as hazardous due to shoals and seasonal fog. Though F. Morrell isn’t named, the location remains a navigational risk zone.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The F. Morrell serves as a classic example of late-season shipwrecks on Lake Superior. Laden with iron ore and caught in a foggy storm, she grounded near Grand Island and was shattered by waves—with no loss of life. While her remains are unconfirmed, the site remains of interest due to its shallow depth, making it a possibility for snorkelling exploration and a reminder of the perils of autumn navigation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”f-morrell-1866″ title=”References & Links”]
The F. Morrell serves as a classic example of late-season shipwrecks on Lake Superior. Laden with iron ore and caught in a foggy storm, she grounded near Grand Island and was shattered by waves—with no loss of life. While her remains are unconfirmed, the site remains of interest due to its shallow depth, making it a possibility for snorkelling exploration and a reminder of the perils of autumn navigation.
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: F. Morrell
- Built: 1866 at Marine City, Michigan by Luff & Gilchrist
- Type: Wooden-hulled barkentine
- Tonnage: Approximately 366 tons (old-style)
- Final Loss Date: November 1874 (likely around the 4th)
- Location: Close to Grand Island, Lake Superior
- Cargo: Iron ore (~617 tons)
- Loss Type: Stranded in fog and heavy seas during a storm; crew evacuated, no lives lost; wreck eventually broke apart (Midland Daily News, Wikipedia, Wikipedia)
Vessel Type & Description
A three-masted barkentine—rigged with square sails on the foremast and fore-and-aft sail on the others—built robustly to carry heavy bulk cargo across Lake Superior’s open waters. With a 366-ton hull, she was designed for iron ore or grain transport.
Final Voyage & Loss
In November 1874, while carrying roughly 617 tons of iron ore, F. Morrell encountered dense fog and worsening sea conditions near Grand Island. The vessel was driven ashore; fog impaired navigation, and powerful surf pinned her to the shoals. The crew escaped uninjured. The stranded hull remained for several days before breaking up under wave action and was declared a total loss .
Final Disposition
Unable to refloat, the F. Morrell decomposed where she grounded. The hull was battered to pieces and lost to Lake Superior’s persistent elements.
Located By & Survey Status
No formal surveys or dives have located her remains. If any remnants exist, they are likely scattered or buried in shallow waters near Grand Island.
Notmar & Navigation Advisories
Modern nautical charts mark the Grand Island area as hazardous due to shoals and seasonal fog. Though F. Morrell isn’t named, the location remains a navigational risk zone.
Resources & Links
- Our Midland: Michigan Shipwrecks – details her grounding near Grand Island and notes: “built in 1866 by Luff and Gilchrist in Marine City, Michigan… stranded with iron ore onboard near Grand Island in Lake Superior, losing no lives. The wreckage is 15 feet deep and is listed as snorkelable and a beginner scuba level.” (Midland Daily News)
Conclusion
The F. Morrell serves as a classic example of late-season shipwrecks on Lake Superior. Laden with iron ore and caught in a foggy storm, she grounded near Grand Island and was shattered by waves—with no loss of life. While her remains are unconfirmed, the site remains of interest due to its shallow depth, making it a possibility for snorkelling exploration and a reminder of the perils of autumn navigation.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary
- Keywords: F. Morrell, Grand Island wreck, iron ore barkentine, 1874 Lake Superior grounding
- Categories: Wooden barkentines, bulk ore wrecks, late-season maritime losses
- Glossary:
- Barkentine: Sailing vessel with mixed sail rig—square on foremast, fore-and-aft on others
- Grounding: Running onto a shallow shoal or reef
- Foundered: Filling with water or breaking apart beyond repair