Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Francis Palms
- Type: Wooden Schooner-Barque
- Year Built: 1868
- Builder: Thomas Arnold
- Dimensions: 173 ft × 33 ft × 15 ft
- Registered Tonnage: approx. 560 tons
- Location: ~3 mi NW of Gray’s Reef, Beaver Island, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 9749
- Original Owners: Byron Whitaker & Son, Detroit; Master was Capt. Wilson
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Francis Palms was a wooden schooner-barque, originally built as a bark and later converted to a schooner rig.
Description
Constructed in 1868 at Marine City, Michigan, the Francis Palms measured 173 feet in length, 33 feet in beam, and had a depth of 15 feet. It was registered at approximately 560 tons.
History
The Francis Palms was owned by Byron Whitaker & Son of Detroit, with Capt. Wilson serving as its master. The vessel primarily transported cargo, including iron ore.
Significant Incidents
- Loss Date: November 2, 1889
- Location: ~3 mi NW of Gray’s Reef, Beaver Island, Lake Michigan
- Cargo: Iron ore
- Cause of Wreck: Grounded and broken up in gale
- Crew Casualties: None
- Rescue Vessel: Tug Gladiator
Final Disposition
The Francis Palms was driven ashore during a westerly gale and was pounded to pieces. The crew was successfully rescued by the tug Gladiator.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site remains a point of interest for divers, though specific conditions and accessibility details are not documented.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”francis-palms-us-9749″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Francis Palms serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by maritime vessels in the Great Lakes, particularly in adverse weather conditions.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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