L.C. Butts (L.C. Butts No. 1)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: L.C. Butts (L.C. Butts No. 1)
• Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
• Year Built: 1850
• Builder: Wm Treat, Euclid, Ohio
• Dimensions: Length: 91 ft (27.7 m); Beam: 23 ft (7 m); Depth of hold: 9 ft (2.7 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 165 tons
• Location: Forest Bay, Lake Huron
• Original Owners: Ownership not specifically identified; last registered port Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The L.C. Butts was a two-masted wooden schooner, a common type of cargo vessel used on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. These schooners were designed for the efficient transport of goods such as lumber, grain, and other bulk commodities between ports around the lakes. With its modest size and sturdy construction, the L.C. Butts was well-suited for navigating the often unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes. The vessel’s two masts allowed it to carry a substantial amount of sail, giving it the speed and agility needed to compete in the bustling trade routes of the era.

Description

The L.C. Butts was built in 1850 by shipbuilder Wm Treat in Euclid, Ohio. It served as a reliable cargo vessel on the Great Lakes for over a decade and a half, primarily transporting lumber and other materials. In 1862, the schooner underwent major repairs, which likely extended its operational life and maintained its seaworthiness.

On May 15, 1866, the L.C. Butts encountered a severe storm while navigating Lake Huron. The storm drove the vessel ashore in Forest Bay, where it wrecked. At the time of the incident, the schooner was carrying a cargo of lumber and was en route from Milwaukee to Forest Bay. Despite the violent weather and the eventual wreck, no lives were lost, which was a small mercy in what could have been a much graver disaster.

The L.C. Butts was considered a total loss following the wreck. The vessel’s value at the time was estimated at $1,300, with only $600 covered by insurance, reflecting the financial hit that such incidents often inflicted on their owners. The property loss from the wreck, including the cargo, was estimated at $3,000. After the wreck, the schooner was abandoned in Forest Bay, with no efforts made to salvage or raise the vessel.

History

The L.C. Butts met its end on May 15, 1866, when it was driven ashore and wrecked in Forest Bay, Lake Huron, during a storm. The vessel was carrying lumber at the time and was deemed a total loss. While no casualties were reported, the schooner was abandoned after the wreck, and no efforts were made to recover it. The wreckage likely deteriorated over time, becoming part of the lake’s underwater landscape.

Significant Incidents

• Wrecked on May 15, 1866, during a storm in Lake Huron.
• Carried a cargo of lumber from Milwaukee to Forest Bay.
• Considered a total loss with an estimated property loss of $3,000.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the L.C. Butts has not been definitively located. It is believed to rest in the shallow waters of Forest Bay, Lake Huron, where it was driven ashore in 1866.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the L.C. Butts is considered a total loss, with no recovery efforts made since its abandonment. The condition of the wreck is unknown, but it is presumed to have deteriorated over time.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”l-c-butts-l-c-butts-no-1″ title=”References & Links”]

The story of the L.C. Butts reflects the challenges and dangers of 19th-century maritime transport on the Great Lakes. Despite its solid construction and the precautions taken through repairs, the schooner ultimately succumbed to the forces of nature in a storm on Lake Huron. The incident serves as a reminder of the risks faced by sailors and the resilience required to navigate the Great Lakes. Although the L.C. Butts is now a forgotten relic of maritime history, it remains a testament to the era’s bustling trade and the perils that came with it.