Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Fawn
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1875
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Southeast of Pointe Aux Barques, Lake Huron
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Rig & Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
Built: 1875
Registry: U.S.
Trade: Likely used for lumber, consistent with her final voyage cargo
Description
Fawn was a wooden two-masted schooner built in 1875. She was registered in the United States and was likely used for lumber trade, which aligns with the cargo she carried on her final voyage.
History
The Fawn foundered in a storm on August 8, 1888. The exact cause of the sinking is unrecorded, but it is believed that she was overwhelmed by severe weather conditions. After the storm, she was found stranded southeast of Pointe Aux Barques in October 1888 and was refloated the following spring, indicating that she survived structurally.
Despite the 1888 incident, the Fawn continued to have a service history. She reportedly suffered a fatal accident in August 1891 near Ballard’s Reef in Lake Erie, after which she lay submerged until she was raised and rebuilt in 1900.
Significant Incidents
- August 8, 1888: Foundered in a storm; all 8 crew members survived.
- October 1888: Stranded southeast of Pointe Aux Barques; refloated in spring 1889.
- August 1891: Suffered a fatal accident near Ballard’s Reef.
- 1900: Raised and rebuilt after being submerged.
Final Disposition
The Fawn was not lost in the 1888 incident, as she was refloated and continued to serve. However, she ultimately met her end in 1891, after which she was salvaged and rebuilt in 1900.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the Fawn is unknown, as she was raised and rebuilt after her 1891 accident. The site of her final wreck is not documented.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”fawn-1875″ title=”References & Links”]
The story of the Fawn illustrates the resilience of Great Lakes schooners and highlights the common seasonal hazards faced by vessels in the region. Her lifecycle from grounding to salvage reflects the challenges and adaptations of 19th-century maritime operations.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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