Glen Cuyler – Lake Michigan Schooner Shipwreck (1911)

Explore the history of the Glen Cuyler, a 19th-century schooner converted to a barge, abandoned in 1911 after a storied service on the Great Lakes.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Glen Cuyler
  • Type: Schooner (converted to barge by 1908)
  • Year Built: 1859
  • Builder: H. Doviel
  • Dimensions: 84.0 ft (25.6 m) X 20.0 ft (6.1 m); Depth: 5.3 ft (1.6 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 60 tons (gross); 53 tons (net)
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 1.6 m / 5.3 ft
  • Location: Last known operation in Arthur Bay, near Menominee, Michigan
  • Official Number: 10338
  • Original Owners: Various parties including J. Todd, Johnston, and C. Weaver
  • Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

  • Type: Schooner (converted to barge by 1908)
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Decks: 1
  • Masts: 2

Description

  • Builder: H. Doviel
  • Length: 84.0 ft (25.6 m)
  • Beam: 20.0 ft (6.1 m)
  • Depth: 5.3 ft (1.6 m)
  • Gross Tonnage: 60 tons
  • Net Tonnage: 53 tons

History

  • 1859: Built by H. Doviel at Pultneyville, NY for J. Todd.
  • 1860 (Nov): Went ashore in a gale near Oswego, NY; initially feared entire crew was lost. Salvaged and towed to Sodus Bay by tug J.H. Bloore and repaired.
  • 1865: Re-enrolled at Pultneyville at 40 tons.
  • 1868–1876: Owned in Manitowoc, WI by various parties including Johnston and C. Weaver.
  • 1905 (Oct 20): Foundered during a gale at Arthur Bay near Menominee, MI.
  • 1905 (Nov 9): Refloated and taken to Sturgeon Bay for drydock repairs.
  • 1908: Converted to barge.
  • 1911: Officially abandoned.

Significant Incidents

  • Foundered during a gale in 1905.
  • Went ashore in a gale in 1860, initially feared crew lost.

Final Disposition

Glen Cuyler ended its operational life by 1911 after decades of service, including multiple salvage and repair operations. She was ultimately abandoned after being used as a barge in her final years.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No confirmed wreck site has been reported for the Glen Cuyler.

Resources & Links

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The Glen Cuyler exemplified the resilience of small schooners operating throughout the Great Lakes from the 1850s through the early 20th century. Despite a modest size and limited capacity, she served across multiple states and ownerships, surviving gales, groundings, and refits. Her transition to barge duty and eventual abandonment reflect the broader lifecycle of working sail on the Great Lakes during this era.

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Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.

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