Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: H. D. Moore
- Type: Wooden schooner (converting to auxiliary steam in 1907)
- Year Built: 1874
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Approximately 103 ft length — other measurements not specified in available sources
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 2.4 m / 8 ft
- Location: Gull Point, South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 95266
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The H. D. Moore was a wooden schooner, which underwent a conversion to auxiliary steam power in 1907.
Description
The H. D. Moore was built in 1874 and measured approximately 103 feet in length. The specific dimensions beyond length are not detailed in available sources.
History
During her service, the H. D. Moore likely carried lumber or general freight as a general-purpose schooner. She met her end on September 10, 1907, when she stranded on Gull Point during a storm.
Significant Incidents
- The vessel went aground during gale conditions.
- All four crew members aboard survived the incident, with no loss of life recorded.
Final Disposition
The H. D. Moore broke up in place, scattering debris in shallow water between 8 and 12 feet deep.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The remains of the H. D. Moore lie in 8 to 12 feet of water off Gull Point, making it a snorkel- and beginner-level diving site. Visible wreckage typically includes fragments of the hull, ribs, and scattered timbers.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”h-d-moore-us-92266″ title=”References & Links”]
The wreck of the H. D. Moore serves as a reminder of early-20th-century commercial shipping heritage and is easily accessible to divers today.
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 & Basic Specs
- Name: H. D. Moore
- Official No.: 95266
- Type: Wooden schooner (converting to auxiliary steam in 1907)
- Built: 1874
- Dimensions: Approximately 103 ft length — other measurements not specified in available sources
Final Voyage & Wreck (Sept 10, 1907)
- Date & Location: Stranded on Gull Point, South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan — during a storm on September 10, 1907 (michiganpreserves.org, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia).
- Cargo: Not specified; as a general-purpose schooner, likely carried lumber or general freight.
- Incident: The vessel went aground (‘stranded’) during gale conditions.
- Fate: The schooner broke up in place, scattering debris in shallow water (8–12 ft deep) (michiganpreserves.org).
- Crew: All four aboard survived; no loss of life was recorded (Wikipedia).
Wreck & Diving Site
- The remains lie in 8–12 ft of water off Gull Point — a snorkel- and beginner-level diving site today (Midland Daily News).
- Typically, visible wreckage includes fragments of the hull, ribs, and scattered timbers.
Archival Citations
- Wikipedia “List of shipwrecks in 1907” entries confirm the date, location, crew survival, and type (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia).
- Michigan Underwater Preserve resources and preservation maps provide structural and depth information (michiganpreserves.org).
Gaps & Research Opportunities
| Topic | Proposed Approach |
|---|---|
| Original vessel specifications | Review regional ship registries (1874) for design plans, dimensions, and owners |
| Conversion history | Locate shipyard records from 1907 showing conversion to auxiliary steam |
| Storm details | Consult NOAA/Weather Service archives or Traverse City Record-Eagle (Sept 1907) for weather context |
| Dive documentation | Access Michigan Underwater Preserve files for sonar imagery, diver photos, and site logs |
Conclusion
The H. D. Moore was a 103-foot wooden schooner built in 1874 and retrofitted to auxiliary steam in 1907. She met her end during a storm on September 10, 1907, when she stranded on Gull Point, South Manitou Island, and fragmented in 8–12 feet of water. Fortunately, her crew of four survived. Today, the site is easily accessible to divers and preserves early-20th-century commercial shipping heritage.
- Draft archival inquiries for original vessel plans and conversion documentation?
- Compile storm and harbor records from September 1907?
- Retrieve dive logs or coordinate with Michigan Underwater Preserve for current site data?