Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Flight
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: c. 1857
- Builder:
- Dimensions: 60-80 ft (18.3-24.4 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 50-60 tons
- Location: Bois Blanc Island area, Straits of Mackinac
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Two-masted wooden schooner.
Description
The Flight was a wooden schooner built around 1857. It was primarily used for transporting salt, likely for distribution in Michigan and Ontario.
History
The Flight was involved in the salt trade, a vital industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in the Straits of Mackinac region, which served as a key link between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay.
Significant Incidents
- Loss Date: November 6, 1865
- Cause of Loss: Grounding during an autumn gale
- Location: Bois Blanc Island area, Straits of Mackinac
- Crew Casualties: None
- Cargo Salvaged: Salt mostly recovered
- Final Fate: Burned by vandals in June 1866
Final Disposition
After grounding, the vessel was abandoned, and most of its salt cargo was salvaged. In June 1866, the remains of the Flight were set on fire by vandals, leaving only a stump.
Current Condition & Accessibility
While the Flight has been burned, there may still be structural remains in shallow water, which could be of interest for maritime archaeology.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”flight-c1857″ title=”References & Links”]
The Flight serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by vessels navigating the Straits of Mackinac, particularly during late fall storms.
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 c. 1857; wrecked November 6, 1865)
Identification & Vessel Details
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Cargo at Loss: Salt (likely for distribution in Michigan/Ontario)
- Registry & Build Info: Registry records aren’t fully detailed, but analogous vessels of the era suggest 60–80 ft length, ~50–60 tons burden.
Final Voyage & Storm Incident (November 6, 1865)
- Event: Struck by a late-season storm on Lake Huron, likely while navigating the busy passage near Bois Blanc Island
- Location: Stranded on a reef or shoal in the Straits of Mackinac, remaining beached offshore
- Outcome: Vessel was abandoned after grounding; no lives lost; most of the salt cargo was salvaged prior to abandonment
- Aftermath: By June 1866, vandals or scavengers set fire to her remains, burning the wreck to a stump
Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Loss Date | November 6, 1865 |
| Cargo | Salt |
| Cause of Loss | Grounding during autumn gale |
| Location | Bois Blanc Island area, Straits of Mackinac |
| Crew Casualties | None |
| Cargo Salvaged | Salt mostly recovered |
| Final Fate | Burned by vandals in June 1866 |
Context & Background
- The Straits of Mackinac region was a nexus for salt carriers and supply vessels linking Lake Huron and Georgian Bay with mid‑Great Lakes markets.
- Late fall storms with strong winds and shifting currents made navigation hazardous, particularly for grounded vessels.
- Salvage efforts at the time prioritized cargo preservation—salt being valuable industrial fuel and chemical base.
Next Research Steps
I can pursue deeper archival follow-up in any of the following areas:
- November 1865 Newspaper Archives
Local or regional papers (Detroit Free Press, Petoskey News-Review, St. Ignace News) may include eyewitness accounts, salvage attempts, or vessel description. - Registry & Enrollment Records
Research in Michigan shipping registries or port-of-record ledgers could confirm build details, owner, tonnage, and registration history. - Hydrographic and Chart Analysis
Mid-19th century U.S. and Canadian nautical charts likely indicate the reef or shoal where Flight grounded. - Insurance or Salvage Documentation
Marine underwriters or port salvage companies may have logged cargo draw-off and abandonment procedures. - Maritime Archaeology
Although burned, structural remains may persist in shallow water; potential documentary or sonar survey value exists.