Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Greenback
- Type: Wooden scow-schooner
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder: G. Stager, New Baltimore, MI
- Dimensions: 66 × 18 × 3 ft; 30 gross tons / 28 net tons
- Registered Tonnage: 30 gross tons / 28 net tons
- Location: Grounded near Saginaw River front range light
- Official Number: 39201
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Greenback is classified as a wooden scow-schooner, which was also registered as an unrigged barge. This type of vessel was commonly used for transporting goods in the mid-19th century.
Description
Built in 1866 by G. Stager in New Baltimore, MI, the Greenback measured 66 feet in length, 18 feet in beam, and had a hold depth of 3 feet. It was primarily used to carry cedar posts, a common cargo for vessels of its type.
History
The Greenback exemplifies small cedar-post-lifting craft used in mid-19th-century Lake Huron commerce. These vessels were often built sturdy yet were prone to capsizing when overloaded. The vessel capsized a few days before June 15, 1884, while carrying cedar posts. Remarkably, it righted itself and drifted ashore near the Saginaw River front range light on June 15. Initial hopes for salvage were dashed, and the vessel was officially abandoned in October 1886.
Significant Incidents
- Capsized while carrying cedar posts a few days before June 15, 1884.
- Drifted ashore near the Saginaw River front range light on June 15, 1884.
- Abandoned in October 1886 after salvage efforts failed.
Final Disposition
The Greenback was not salvaged and remained stranded near shore until it was officially abandoned two years later. No records exist of a formal break-up or reuse; it likely decayed in place.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, but it is presumed to have decayed in place since its abandonment.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”greenback-us-39201″ title=”References & Links”]
The story of the Greenback provides valuable insights into the operational challenges faced by mid-19th-century vessels on the Great Lakes, particularly regarding their construction and the risks associated with their cargo.
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.
Wooden Scow‑Schooner – Built 1866, Lost June 15, 1884
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Greenback
- Official Number: 39201 (noted for barge registry)
- Builder & Year: 1866, G. Stager, New Baltimore, MI
- Type: Wooden scow-schooner (also registered as an unrigged barge)
- Dimensions: 66 × 18 × 3 ft; 30 gross tons / 28 net tons
- Date of Loss: June 15, 1884
- Location: Grounded near Saginaw River front range light, Lake Huron
- Cargo: Cedar posts
- Casualties: None
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Circumstances of Loss
The Greenback capsized a few days prior to June 15 while carrying cedar posts. Remarkably, she righted herself, refloated, and drifted ashore near the Saginaw River front range light on June 15. There was initial hope for salvage, but she was eventually abandoned in October 1886.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Disposition
- The vessel was not salvaged and remained stranded near shore until it was officially abandoned two years later.
- No records exist of a formal break-up or reuse; she likely decayed in place.
Historical Context & Significance
- The Greenback exemplifies small cedar-post–lifting craft used in mid-19th-century Lake Huron commerce—often built sturdy yet prone to capsizing when overloaded.
- Its eventual beaching by the Saginaw River shore offers insight into the shifting fates of scow-schooners post-capsizing.
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | 1866, New Baltimore, MI |
| Type | 66‑ft wooden scow‑schooner / unrigged barge |
| Cargo | Cedar posts |
| Lost | June 15, 1884, Lake Huron (Saginaw Bay shore) |
| Cause | Capsize in storm → ran ashore |
| Casualties | None |
| Disposition | Stranded, abandoned in Oct 1886; no salvage recorded |
Potential Research Directions
- Saginaw area newspapers (June–Oct 1884–86): Check Saginaw Courier for stranding and abandonment notices.
- Harbor authority logs: May include refloating efforts and wreck abandonment.
- Cedar boom company records: These vessels often came under corporate ownership—ledgers may mention Greenback operations or loss.