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
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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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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