Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: GENERAL FRANZ SIGEL
- Type: Wooden Schooner (originally built as a barkentine)
- Year Built: 1862
- Builder: George Washington Jones
- Dimensions: 136.8 ft (41.7 m); 25.8 ft; 11.5 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 316 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 9 m / 28 ft
- Location: Off Monroe, Michigan
- Coordinates: 41° 54.50' N, 81° 14.95' W
- Official Number: US 10217
- Original Owners: Jones & Hall of Cleveland, Ohio
- Number of Masts: unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The GENERAL FRANZ SIGEL was a wooden schooner, originally built as a barkentine in 1862 by George Washington Jones at Black River, Ohio, for Jones & Hall of Cleveland, Ohio. The vessel measured 136.8 feet in length, 25.8 feet in beam, and 11.5 feet in depth, with a gross tonnage of 316 tons and a net tonnage of 301 tons. The GENERAL FRANZ SIGEL was one of the oldest vessels operating on the Great Lakes at the time of its sinking, having served for over 40 years.
Description
Launched in 1862, the GENERAL FRANZ SIGEL had a long and storied career on the Great Lakes. Originally built as a barkentine, it was later converted to a schooner and served primarily in the transportation of bulk goods, such as coal. On July 18, 1903, the vessel was en route from Huron to Sandusky, carrying 570 tons of coal, when it encountered a severe storm off Monroe, Michigan.
The crew, recognizing the severity of the storm, attempted to seek shelter in the port of Monroe. However, the vessel foundered in 22 feet of water, approximately 1.8 miles southeast of Stoney Point. The crew of five, including Captain W. J. Curtiss, his wife, and mate W. D. McGregor, sought refuge in the rigging and were eventually rescued by the United States survey boat GENERAL WILLIAMS. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but the vessel was a total loss.
History
In August 1904, the wreck of the GENERAL FRANZ SIGEL was deemed a navigation hazard near Toledo. Government engineers decided to dynamite the wreck to mitigate the danger it presented to other vessels navigating the area.
Significant Incidents
- The vessel foundered during a storm on July 18, 1903, while en route from Huron to Sandusky.
- The crew was rescued by the United States survey boat GENERAL WILLIAMS.
- The wreck was dynamited in August 1904 to reduce navigation hazards.
Final Disposition
The GENERAL FRANZ SIGEL lies in 28 feet of water off the coast of Monroe, Michigan, in Lake Erie. The wreckage was dynamited in August 1904 to reduce the hazard it posed to navigation. The remains of the vessel are scattered on the lakebed near the Monroe lighthouse, making it a challenging but interesting site for divers and maritime historians.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the GENERAL FRANZ SIGEL is scattered and partially destroyed, lying at a depth of 28 feet. The dynamiting of the wreck has resulted in debris spread across the lakebed, making it a less intact site but still of historical interest. The relatively shallow depth makes it accessible to divers, though visibility and conditions may vary depending on the season and weather.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”general-franz-sigel-us-10217″ title=”References & Links”]
The sinking of the GENERAL FRANZ SIGEL on July 18, 1903, during a storm off Monroe, Michigan, marked the end of one of the oldest vessels on the Great Lakes. The crew’s successful rescue is a fortunate aspect of an otherwise tragic loss. The wreckage, now scattered and partially destroyed by dynamiting, serves as a historical site reflecting the perils of Great Lakes navigation and the eventual fate of aging vessels in challenging conditions.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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