Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lady Franklin
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1842
- Builder: L. Shickluna
- Dimensions: 87 ft (26.52 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 111 gross tons
- Location: Hammond Bay, near Cheboygan, MI
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Lady Franklin was a wooden schooner, a type of sailing vessel commonly used for trade and transport in the Great Lakes region.
Description
Built in 1842 at St. Catharines, Ontario, the Lady Franklin was constructed by L. Shickluna. The vessel served in regional trade for an impressive 53 years, showcasing remarkable longevity for a ship of its time.
History
The Lady Franklin was approximately 87 feet long, with a registered tonnage of around 111 gross tons. It was registered under Canadian documentation and primarily operated in the Great Lakes region.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents:
- Caught in a storm at Hammond Bay on September 30, 1895, the Lady Franklin attempted to shelter from the gale. The vessel dragged its anchors, which eventually failed, leading to the ship being driven ashore and wrecked. Following the wreck, thieves stripped the vessel of its gear, and it was declared a total loss.
Final Disposition
The Lady Franklin was declared a total loss after the wreck. No casualties were recorded, and it is presumed that there were none. The wreck has not been officially mapped, and remnants may remain scattered along the beach or just offshore.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, there is no record of the wreck being surveyed by dive teams or salvage companies. Given its age and location, it remains a potential site for future archaeological surveys.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lady-franklin-1842″ title=”References & Links”]
Future research could benefit from accessing local newspaper archives for eyewitness accounts, requesting registry documents from Port Huron or Canadian archives, and reviewing historical hydrographic charts to better understand the wreck site.
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.
(Wooden Schooner, built 1842; lost September 30, 1895)
Vessel Identity & Registry
- Registry & Build
Built in 1842 at St. Catharines, Ontario by L. Shickluna, the schooner Lady Franklin served in regional trade for 53 years—remarkable longevity.
(University of Calgary Journal Hosting, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) - Specifications
Approximately 87 × 18 × 8 ft, around 111 gross tons, under Canadian registration.
Wreck Event (September 30, 1895)
- Incident Details
Caught in a storm at Hammond Bay (near Cheboygan, MI), Lady Franklin attempted to shelter from the gale.
She dragged anchors, which eventually failed (“parted her chains”), and the vessel was driven ashore and wrecked. Thieves later stripped her of gear—she was declared a total loss.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Newspaper & Archive Search
- Newspaper Accounts
No period newspapers have been located online referencing the wreck. The lack of digital records for this locale and date suggests coverage may exist only in local archives or print editions. - Registry & Legal Formalities
Detailed registry records—enrollment, inspection, or official abandonment documents—were likely recorded at Port Huron around 1895–1896 but are not easily accessed online. Copies may be held at Canadian National Archives or boat registry repositories.
Hydrographic & Archaeological Context
- Navigational Setting
Hammond Bay’s charted bottom includes shoals and shallow reefs common to the area. Standard U.S. and Canadian hydrographic surveys from the period likely marked hazards—though they do not name Lady Franklin specifically. - Modern Archaeology
There’s no record of the wreck being surveyed by dive teams or salvage companies. Given its age and location, remnants may remain scattered along the beach or just offshore, but no official mapping has been published.
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Registry & Specs | Built 1842 in Ontario; ~87 ft, 111 GRT; Canadian registry |
| Date of Wreck | September 30, 1895 |
| Location | Hammond Bay, Lake Huron, near Cheboygan, MI |
| Cause | Caught in gale; anchors dragged & chains parted; driven ashore |
| Outcome | Total loss; vessel stripped post-wreck |
| Casualties | Not recorded—presumed none |
| Archival Recordings | No online newspaper coverage; registry entries likely stored locally |
| Archaeological Status | Not officially mapped; potential site for future survey |
Recommended Next Steps
- Access local newspapers (Hammond Bay, Cheboygan, 1895)
Might contain eyewitness reports, crew details, or salvage efforts—available in local or regional archives. - Request registry documents from Port Huron or Canadian archives
Could include inspection certificates, enrollment changes, and formal abandonment records. - Review historical hydrographic charts
Might show physical hazards underlying the grounding location. - Consider archaeological reconnaissance
A side-scan sonar sweep or dive survey along Hammond Bay shoreline could reveal physical remains.
- Pursue local newspaper archives for firsthand accounts of the wreck?
- Help with registry/enrollment archival requests from Port Huron or Canadian sources?
- Locate historical hydrographic surveys to better define the wreck site?
- Explore potential for an archaeological survey of Hammond Bay debris?