Free Mason (1857)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Free Mason
• Type: Wooden-hulled cargo schooner
• Year Built: 1857
• Builder:
• Dimensions: Not specified
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Detroit River, near Detroit, Michigan
• Official Number: Not listed

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden-hulled cargo schooner

Description

The Free Mason was a wooden-hulled schooner constructed in 1857, designed for transporting heavy cargoes such as stone. Specific details regarding her dimensions and tonnage are not readily available.

History

Throughout her decade-long service, the Free Mason operated primarily on the Great Lakes, transporting bulk materials essential for construction and industry during the mid-19th century. Her routes likely included various ports along the Detroit River and Lake Erie, facilitating regional commerce.

Significant Incidents

Significant Incidents:

• On October 8, 1867, while navigating the Detroit River, the Free Mason collided with a downbound steamer, leading to her capsizing and sinking.
• The incident resulted in the loss of at least three lives, including the vessel’s captain, his wife, and their four-year-old child.

Final Disposition

On October 8, 1867, while navigating the Detroit River, the Free Mason collided with a downbound steamer. The impact caused the schooner to capsize and sink rapidly, a situation exacerbated by her heavy stone cargo. The tragic incident resulted in the loss of at least three lives, including the vessel’s captain, his wife, and their four-year-old child.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As of current records, the wreck of the Free Mason has not been located.

Resources & Links

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The sinking of the Free Mason underscores the perils of 19th-century maritime navigation, particularly in busy waterways like the Detroit River. The loss of the vessel and the lives aboard serves as a somber reminder of the challenges faced by sailors during this era.