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