Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: George W. Ford
- Type: Wooden-hulled schooner
- Year Built: 1852
- Builder:
- Dimensions: 85 ft (26 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: ~127 GRT
- Location: Struck a reef outside Eagle Harbor, Lake Superior
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The George W. Ford was a mid-19th-century cargo schooner with a wooden hull constructed for bulk coastal freight. At approximately 26 meters (85 ft) in length and with a gross tonnage of around 127, she was common among vessels transporting regional goods across Lake Superior’s littoral routes.
Description
The George W. Ford was designed for coastal commerce, reflecting the typical characteristics of schooners of her time. Her wooden construction and dimensions made her suitable for navigating the waters of Lake Superior, where she engaged in the transport of various goods.
History
After years of service, the schooner encountered a severe storm on 12 August 1870. She ran onto a reef near Eagle Harbor in the Keweenaw Peninsula and sank rapidly. It was reported that her age and deteriorated condition deterred any salvage attempts at the time.
Significant Incidents
- 12 August 1870: The George W. Ford struck a reef during a gale and sank swiftly.
Final Disposition
No modern diving expeditions or hydrographic surveys have conclusively identified the wreck. Her remains likely rest near the reef in relatively shallow waters, but the precise location has not been charted.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There are no marked navigational hazards tied to this wreck today. However, historical reef charts around Eagle Harbor remain relevant to modern navigation in the area.
Resources & Links
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The George W. Ford typifies the everyday schooners that plied Lake Superior during the 19th century—plain vessels engaged in coastal commerce, vulnerable in heavy weather and often without the means for rescue or salvage. Her sinking in 1870 at Eagle Harbor contributes a piece to the wider narrative of maritime losses along Michigan’s rugged shoreline.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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