Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Guide
- Type: Wooden schooner (single-deck, single-mast)
- Year Built: 1862
- Builder: James McMillan
- Dimensions: 71 ft (21.6 m) × 19 ft; 6 ft depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Approx. 84 gross tons
- Location: Cecil Bay, Straits of Mackinac, Lake Huron
- Official Number: 10 319
- Original Owners: N. Robinson of Benton Harbor; J. Anderson
- Number of Masts: Single mast
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Guide is classified as a wooden schooner, characterized by its single deck and single mast, typical of mid-19th-century coastal cargo vessels.
Description
Built in 1862 at Saint Joseph, Michigan, the Guide was primarily used for transporting grain, lumber, and general freight across various Great Lakes ports. It had a length of 71 feet and a beam of 19 feet, with a depth of hold of 6 feet.
History
The operational history of the Guide spans from 1862 to 1901. Initially enrolled in Detroit, it was owned by N. Robinson of Benton Harbor. Over the years, it was registered in multiple ports, including Grand Haven and Chicago. Notable events include being ice-bound in St. Joseph in 1869 and running ashore near Torch Lake in 1894, from which it was refloated. The vessel was officially documented as a total loss at Cecil Bay in 1901.
Significant Incidents
- 1862-1865: Enrolled in Detroit, owned by N. Robinson of Benton Harbor.
- 1866-1868: Registered in Grand Haven; recorded at 55 gross tons in 1868.
- 1869: Ice-bound in St. Joseph, Michigan.
- 1876: Operating out of Chicago under J. Anderson.
- 1894: Ran ashore near Torch Lake, Lake Michigan (Nov 26), refloated.
- 1901: Official documentation indicates total loss at Cecil Bay, Straits of Mackinac; registry surrendered on 18 December 1901.
Final Disposition
The Guide was presumed wrecked in late autumn or early winter of 1901, likely driven ashore or capsized during a storm. The ship’s enrollment was officially surrendered at Port Huron on December 18, 1901, marking it as a total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site of the Guide has not been formally recorded by divers or marine archaeologists. It is believed that the remains lie in shallow waters or may have washed ashore. Cecil Bay is sheltered but can be exposed to strong gales, particularly in late season.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”guide-us-10319″ title=”References & Links”]
The Guide serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by maritime vessels navigating the Great Lakes, particularly during the hazardous late-season conditions. Its history reflects the evolution of cargo transport in the region.
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: Guide
- Official Number: 10 319
- Built: 1862 at Saint Joseph, Michigan by James McMillan
- Type: Wooden schooner (single-deck, single-mast)
- Dimensions: 71 ft L × 19 ft beam × 6 ft depth; approx. 84 gross tons
- Registered: Multiple Great Lakes ports; associated with Detroit, Benton Harbor, Grand Haven, and Chicago in its service history
Operational History
- 1862–1865: Enrolled in Detroit, owned by N. Robinson of Benton Harbor
- 1866–1868: Registered in Grand Haven; 55 gross tons recorded in 1868
- 1869: Ice-bound in St. Joseph, Michigan
- 1876: Operating out of Chicago under J. Anderson
- 1894: Ran ashore near Torch Lake, Lake Michigan (Nov 26), refloated
- 1901: Official documentation indicates total loss at Cecil Bay, Straits of Mackinac; registry surrendered 18 December 1901 in Port Huron (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Incident & Wreck Details
- Loss Date: Likely late autumn or early winter of 1901
- Location: Cecil Bay, Straits of Mackinac, Lake Huron
- Cause of Loss: Wrecked—presumed driven ashore or capsized in storm
- Casualties: None documented
- Documentation: Ship’s enrollment officially surrendered at Port Huron on 18 December 1901; recorded as a total loss at Cecil Bay
Wreck Site & Condition
- Site Status: Not formally recorded by divers or marine archaeologists; likely remains lie in shallow waters or washed ashore
- Environmental Factors: Cecil Bay is sheltered but exposed to strong gales, especially in late season
- Archival Opportunity: Local museum archives or U.S. Life-Saving Service reports from 1901 may contain incident logs or survivor statements
Historical Significance
- The Guide served a long and varied career across Michigan’s maritime trade routes—including grain, lumber, and general freight
- Her final wrecking near the Mackinac Straits reflects the persistent hazards of late-season navigation in narrow, storm-exposed waterways
- As a small, durable schooner, she exemplifies mid-19th-century coastal cargo vessels that were eventually surpassed by steam-powered ships such as the Emma L. Trent
Key Details
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Region | Lake Huron – Straits of Mackinac (Cecil Bay) |
| Vessel Type | Wooden schooner, single deck |
| Cause of Loss | Wrecked/as then towed off/abandoned in storm |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Operational Span | 1862–1901 |
| Wreck Status | Officially lost; no known development or dive surveys |
Recommended Next Steps
- Newspaper Research: Investigate November–December 1901 editions from St. Ignace News or Petoskey Evening News for grounding/wreck notices
- Archival Inquiry: Request records from the Port Huron Life-Saving Service or Michigan historical societies
- Field Survey: A targeted dive or shoreline survey could determine if any remains are present in Cecil Bay