Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: JOS. M. ENRIGHT
- Type: Scow Schooner
- Year Built: 1870
- Builder: Sullivan
- Dimensions: 81.8 ft (24.9 m) X 20 ft (6.1 m); Depth: 6.4 ft (1.95 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 64
- Location: St. Clair Flats, Lake St. Clair
- Official Number: 45619
- Original Owners: Joseph M. Enright, Toledo, OH
- Number of Masts: 1
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The JOS. M. ENRIGHT was a scow schooner, a type of shallow-draft sailing vessel commonly used for transporting cargo along inland lakes and rivers. Scow schooners were popular in the Great Lakes due to their ability to navigate shallow harbors and carry bulk goods like lumber and coal.
Description
The JOS. M. ENRIGHT operated for over 16 years before its unfortunate sinking. Originally built in Toledo, OH, it was owned by various individuals and transported cargo across the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair.
During its career, the schooner was involved in multiple incidents, including:
- 1869, April: Driven ashore in a gale at Sandusky Bay.
- 1871, May: Damaged in a collision with the schooner J.W. NICHOLS in Cleveland, OH.
- 1874, October: Struck a pier and sank in Black River, OH; later raised.
- 1885, July 29: Rammed and sunk by the steamer NEBRASKA in St. Clair Flats.
History
The JOS. M. ENRIGHT was rammed and sunk by the steamer NEBRASKA on July 29, 1886, in the St. Clair Flats, Lake St. Clair. The circumstances of the collision remain unclear, but it is noted that no lives were lost in the incident.
Significant Incidents
- Driven ashore in a gale at Sandusky Bay (April 1869)
- Damaged in a collision with the schooner J.W. NICHOLS (May 1871)
- Struck a pier and sank in Black River, OH; later raised (October 1874)
- Rammed and sunk by the steamer NEBRASKA in St. Clair Flats (July 29, 1885)
Final Disposition
The wreck was documented and officially surrendered in Detroit, MI, on November 11, 1886. There are no reports of salvage attempts, and the remains of the vessel may still be in the area of the St. Clair Flats, a shallow, marshy region known for past shipwrecks.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, but it is believed to be located in a shallow area of the St. Clair Flats.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”joesph-m-enright-us-45619″ title=”References & Links”]
The JOS. M. ENRIGHT serves as a reminder of the maritime history of the Great Lakes and the challenges faced by vessels navigating these waters.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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