Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: George Dana
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1869
- Builder: Likely in Algonac, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Near Alabaster, Michigan
- Original Owners: Amelia Dana of Algonac
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The George Dana was a wooden two-masted schooner primarily used for lumber transport.
Description
Built in 1869, the George Dana was designed for the lumber trade, reflecting the maritime commerce of the Great Lakes during the 19th century.
History
The George Dana embarked on her final voyage from Bay City, Michigan, bound for Detroit, under tow by the steamship Dubuque. On September 1, 1876, during a late-season gale, she parted from her tow and was driven ashore near Alabaster, Michigan, where she ultimately broke up.
Significant Incidents
- On September 1, 1876, the George Dana was battered ashore during a gale after parting from her tow.
- Despite the wreck, the crew survived, and much of the lumber cargo was salvaged by the tug Winslow.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the George Dana was reported to have broken up on the rocky shoreline, with significant portions of her cargo salvaged post-loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is likely shallow and may have been dismantled or buried by beach processes, with remnants possibly scattered along the shoreline.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”george-dana-1869″ title=”References & Links”]
The George Dana serves as an early example of the risks associated with towing practices in the transition from sail to steam power in Great Lakes commerce.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: George Dana
- Built: 1869, likely in Algonac, Michigan
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner, used for lumber transport
- Loss Date: September 1, 1876
- Final Voyage: Departed Bay City, Michigan, bound for Detroit, under tow by the steamship Dubuque
- Wreck Location: Driven ashore near Alabaster (alternatively cited as Saginaw Bay shoreline) during a gale; hull subsequently broke up
- Cargo: Lumber
- Crew Casualties: None reported — crew survived, and cargo was salvaged by tug Winslow (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Census)
Incident & Final Disposition
- During a late-season gale on September 1, George Dana parted loose from her tow alongside Dubuque and was battered ashore on a rocky shoreline near Alabaster, Michigan.
- She was pounded until breaking up, though much of her lumber cargo was later recovered by tug Winslow (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- Official records identify her owner as Amelia Dana of Algonac.
Archival & Research Gaps
- Construction Details: Yard, exact dimensions, tonnage, and official registration number—check enrollment in U.S. Customs or Coast Guard District (Michigan).
- Tow Arrangement: Details of the commercial agreement between Dubuque, the tug Winslow, and the schooner—likely located in maritime business ledgers or shipping logs.
- Weather Analysis: Meteorological data for early September 1876 to contextualize storm conditions.
- Crew & Ownership Records: Crew manifest, ownership logs, and any personal ties to Amelia Dana.
- Newspaper & Court Reports: 1876 Michigan newspapers (Bay City Times, Detroit Free Press) may have detailed accounts, weather story, or salvage actions.
Wreck & Exploration Potential
- Likely Wreck Zone: Shoreline near Alabaster or Saginaw Bay—shallow water, now probably dismantled or buried by beach processes.
- Physical Remains: Given powerful waves and salvage operations, the wreckage field likely contains remnants of keel, fastenings, iron fittings, and scattered debris.
- Survey Proposal:
- Archival cartography: Historic shoreline maps to locate scuttling site.
- Magnetometer reconnaissance: Identifying subsurface iron debris buried offshore.
- Shoreline dive/shoreline walk: With tidal movements, structural fragments may be exposed seasonally.
- Local interviews: Long-term residents or diaries might offer anecdotal details on wrecking events.
Significance
- George Dana is an early example of the dangerous towing practices during the transition between sail and steam in Great Lakes commerce.
- The loss highlights owner Amelia Dana’s involvement in shipping—a relatively rare 19th-century female proprietor in maritime trade.
- The successful salvage of lumber after grounding speaks to local maritime resourcefulness and organized salvage operations.
Recommended Next Steps
- Archive Research:
- Enrollment and tonnage documentation at the U.S. Customs or Customs House records for mid‑Michigan District
- Ownership details—document deed or registry under Amelia Dana
- Newspaper Searches:
- Bay City and Detroit papers from September 1876 for weather, tow, wreck reportage
- Shipping news columns that might note salvage sale or wreck condition
- Weather Collections:
- NOAA historical data for Gale Category events in early September 1876
- Field Reconnaissance:
- Shoreline surveys near Alabaster using magnetometer, and remote sensing to trace possible wreck fragments