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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →