Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Golden Harvest
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Not recorded; likely along Lake Huron shores between Port Huron and Mackinaw
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Wooden schooner—or possible scow-schooner—conducting coastal freight runs.
Description
The Golden Harvest primarily carried lumber, a common commodity in the region. The vessel was lost in late 1895, with its documentation formally surrendered in March 1896, indicating it was considered a total loss.
History
Although records do not specify the exact date, the Golden Harvest is believed to have encountered severe weather on Lake Huron in late 1895. The vessel was likely driven ashore or disabled by the storm, leading to the surrender of her documentation in early 1896. Official registry lists her as a ‘wrecked’ total loss.
Significant Incidents
- Loss Timing: Late 1895 (specific date unrecorded).
- Loss Method: Credibly due to storm, though the exact cause remains unconfirmed.
- Crew Status: Unreported in sources—no casualty data available.
Final Disposition
The Golden Harvest was sold to Captain Higgie after the wreck, who later moved the hull to Buffalo. The fate of the hull post-move is unclear, with no documented archaeological surveys or hazard markers recorded.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, as there have been no documented archaeological surveys or remnants of wreckage reported.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”golden-harvest-1856″ title=”References & Links”]
The Golden Harvest represents the later-stage career of mid-century wooden lumber schooners, vulnerable to fall storms even near the close of their operational lifespan. Its unheralded loss and post-wreck transfer to Buffalo highlight the commonplace yet under-documented fate of such vessels in Great Lakes maritime history.
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.
Identification & Vessel Details
- Name: Golden Harvest
- Built: 1856 (yard not specified)
- Type: Wooden schooner—or possible scow‑schooner—conducting coastal freight runs
- Cargo: Lumber (primary commodity carried)
- Loss Timing: Late 1895 (specific date unrecorded)
- Registry Status: Vessel documentation formally surrendered March 18, 1896 at Port Huron with the notation “wrecked”
- Loss Method: Credibly due to storm, though exact cause unconfirmed
- Crew Status: Unreported in sources—no casualty data available
Final Voyage & Loss Context
Although records do not specify date, the Golden Harvest is believed to have run into heavy weather on Lake Huron in late 1895. The vessel was wrecked—likely driven ashore or disabled by the storm—prompting the surrender of her documentation in early 1896. Official registry lists her as a “wrecked” total loss; she carried lumber at the time, consistent with regional trade patterns.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Wreck Site & Condition
- Location: Not recorded; likely along Lake Huron shores between Port Huron and Mackinaw, where late fall storms are frequent
- Condition: Unknown—no documented archaeological surveys, wreckage remnants, or hazard markers recorded
Historical & Archival Sources
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files: Notation of lighthouse documentation and surrender at Port Huron in March 1896 labeled “wrecked,” with hints of storm loss and lumber cargo
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) - Local maritime history accounts: Indicate the wreck was sold to Captain Higgie, who later moved the hull to Buffalo
(linkstothepast.com)
Gaps in the Record & Recommended Research
| Research Focus | Suggested Next Steps |
|---|---|
| Exact date & location | Search late 1895 Fall marine lists or shipping intelligence in Detroit Free Press, Port Huron Times, or Saginaw Courier |
| Casualty information | Review newspapers for crew-related reports (missing persons, rescues, local eyewitness statements) |
| Vessel specifications | Check earlier registries (1860–1890) for build details, tonnage, owner(s), home port |
| Hull fate in Buffalo | Investigate Buffalo marine archives or ship scrapping records to see if the hull or salvage records were preserved |
| Archaeological survey | Propose side-scan sonar along Lake Huron’s shoreline to detect remnants of wrecked schooners from the 1895 season |
Historical & Archaeological Significance
The Golden Harvest represents the later-stage career of mid‑century wooden lumber schooners, vulnerable to fall storms even near the close of their operative lifespan. Its unheralded loss, and post-wreck transfer to Buffalo, highlights the commonplace yet under-documented fate of such vessels in Great Lakes maritime history. Discovering her remains or reconstructing her story through newspapers and ship registries would fill a gap in understanding small‑scale maritime commerce of the era.
golden-harvest-1856 1895-07-20 15:12:00