Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Grace A. Green
- Type: Schooner-Barge
- Year Built: 1857
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Michigan shoreline
- Official Number: Not documented
- Original Owners: Capt. William Green
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner, later classified as a barge.
Description
The Grace A. Green was a wooden schooner built in 1857, primarily used for timber trade routes in Michigan. Owned and operated by Capt. William Green, it represented mid-19th-century family-run commerce.
History
The vessel was lost on November 5, 1869, during a severe storm that drove it ashore, where it was subsequently pounded to pieces on the rocks or sand. Within four days, local salvagers stripped the wreck of any salvageable gear, indicating a rapid response to the loss.
Significant Incidents
- November 5, 1869: Driven ashore during a storm and wrecked.
- November 9, 1869: Wreck stripped of salvageable gear by local parties.
- No recorded casualties, suggesting crew survival.
Final Disposition
The Grace A. Green was declared a total loss shortly after grounding. The remains likely consist of scattered timbers, fasteners, or buried structural fragments along the shoreline.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current conditions of the wreck are uncertain, but any remains are likely buried or fragmented along the shoreline, making them difficult to locate without proper surveys.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”grace-a-green-1857″ title=”References & Links”]
The wreck of the Grace A. Green offers significant historical and archaeological insights into 19th-century shipbuilding and salvage practices, with potential for further research through archival studies and shoreline surveys.
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.
Schooner‑Barge Grace A. Green (built 1857)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name & Build: Grace A. Green, wooden schooner (later barge), built in 1857
- Official Number: Not documented
- Owner/Captain: Owned and sailed by Capt. William Green of Michigan—implying family operation
- Loss Date: November 5, 1869, during a storm
- Location: Michigan shoreline—vessel drove ashore and was wrecked
Final Voyage & Loss
- During a November gale, Grace A. Green was driven ashore and pounded to pieces on the rocks or sand.
- Within four days—by November 9—the wreck had been stripped of salvageable gear by local parties.
- Crew survival and casualty details are not recorded, but absence of reports suggests no fatalities.
Final Disposition
- The schooner was declared a total loss shortly after grounding.
- Given the stripping timeline, any remains likely include scattered timbers, fasteners, or buried structural fragments along the shoreline.
Historical & Archaeological Significance
- Represents mid‑19th‑century family‑run schooner commerce—built and operated by the Greens in Michigan timber trade routes
- The rapid stripping following wrecking reflects salvage customs of the era.
- Surviving wreck fragments may be accessible for shoreline or shallow‑water survey—ideal for studying 1850s wood‑hull construction.
Research & Survey Opportunities
| Focus Area | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Archival Newspapers | Examine Detroit Free Press, Grand Haven Tribune, Manistee Times around Nov 5–10, 1869 for wreck report, crew statements, and salvage info. |
| Harbor & LS Service Logs | Search U.S. Lifesaving Service station logs along Lake Michigan north coast for crew rescue record. |
| Registry & Vessel Build Files | Explore Michigan shipbuilding records (1857) for Grace A. Green‘s specifications and official documentation. |
| Shoreline Reconnaissance | Conduct beach surveys and low-water inspections to locate any exposed hull fragments or hardware. |
| Archaeological Assessment | If remains are located, consider magnetometer and side-scan sonar surveys offshore to map wreck extent. |
Summary of Known Details
- Name: Grace A. Green
- Built: 1857 (wooden schooner), Capt. William Green ownership
- Loss: Nov 5, 1869—stranded ashore in storm; wreck stripped by Nov 9
- Casualties: None recorded
- Condition: Total loss; shoreline remains likely buried/fragmented
- Research Potential: Archival, shoreline survey, and remote sensing to reconstruct wreck and understand timber‑trade vessel design