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.
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.
Schooner Fawn (built 1875 – lost August 8, 1888)
Identification & Build
- Rig & Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Built: 1875
- Registry: U.S.
- Trade: Likely used for lumber, consistent with her final voyage cargo
Final Voyage & Loss
- Incident Date: August 8, 1888
- Cause: Foundered in a storm — exact cause unrecorded, but believed to have been overwhelmed by weather ([turn0search1])
- Location: Stranded southeast of Pointe Aux Barques on Lake Huron in October 1888; the vessel was released the following spring after the storm
- Casualties: No deaths — all 0 of 8 crew survived the ordeal
Wreck Condition & Site
- Wreck Status: After the initial storm, Fawn was later found stranded onshore. She remained stuck until she could be refloated—likely in spring 1889—indicating structural survival.
- Subsequent Fate: The vessel reportedly suffered a fatal accident in August 1891 near Ballard’s Reef, Lake Erie, then lay submerged until raised and rebuilt in 1900 .
- The fact she was later raised and had further history means her 1888 stranding was not her final destruction — the vessel continued service afterward.
Historical & Archaeological Significance
- Fawn survived the 1888 storm stranding — a testament to her build quality and the resilience of Great Lakes schooners.
- The incident highlights common seasonal hazards near Pointe Aux Barques and the capacity for vessels to be refloated after grounding.
- Her later fatal accident and salvage further narrate the lifecycle of a 19th-century wooden schooner — from grounding to rebuild, and eventual wreck.
Research & Next Steps
| Focus Area | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Stranding Event (1888) | Check regional newspapers (Port Huron Times, Detroit Free Press Oct 1888) for salvage and grounding details |
| Follow-up Accident (1891) | Seek reports on the 1891 incident near Ballard’s Reef and documentation of hull raising in 1900 |
| Registry & Build Records | Obtain vessel enrollment to trace ownership, dimensions, and structural changes over time |
| Archaeological Survey Potential | If a final wreck site from 1891 is known, plan remote sensing or dive surveys to document her remains |
Summary
- Name: Fawn
- Built: 1875, wooden schooner
- 1888 Incident: Foundered in storm off Pointe Aux Barques; stranded and later refloated
- Survived: No casualties; repaired and returned to service
- Later Fate: Final loss followed a different accident in 1891, culminating in wreck and salvage in 1900