M.I. Wilcox (1868)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: M.I. Wilcox
• Type: Wooden schooner
• Year Built: 1866–1868
• Builder: Bailey (Toledo, Ohio)
• Dimensions: Length: 137 ft (41.8 m); Beam: 27.6–28 ft (8.4–8.5 m); Depth: 14 ft (4.3 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 377 gross tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 7.6 m / 25 ft
• Location: Off Colchester, Ontario
• Coordinates: N 41° 58.83' / W 82° 56.45'
• Official Number: Unknown
• Original Owners: Final owner: Michigan Wrecking & Salvage Co., Detroit
• Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The M.I. Wilcox was a wooden, two-masted schooner built primarily for the lumber trade. Constructed with oak timbers, she was designed to carry bulk cargo across the Great Lakes and was frequently towed by steamers later in her career. Her hull was flat-bottomed, making her suitable for shallow draft routes.

Description

The M.I. Wilcox was a wooden, two-masted schooner built primarily for the lumber trade. Constructed with oak timbers, she was designed to carry bulk cargo across the Great Lakes and was frequently towed by steamers later in her career. Her hull was flat-bottomed, making her suitable for shallow draft routes.

History

Launched in the late 1860s in Toledo, Ohio, the M.I. Wilcox began service in the Great Lakes’ lumber trade. By 1876, she was owned by Bissell & Miner. She later passed to various owners including Miner of Cape Vincent, NY. By the 1880s–1900s, she was often under tow by steamers such as the Huron City, D.J. Foley, and Ogemaw. In 1903, she was acquired by the Michigan Wrecking & Salvage Company of Detroit.

Significant Incidents

• On 8 May 1906, while under tow during a southwest gale, the M.I. Wilcox grounded near Colchester, Ontario. Her crew manned the pumps for over 10 hours before abandoning ship. The vessel foundered in 26 feet of water. All five crew members, including a woman cook, survived by reaching Detroit.

Final Disposition

On 8 May 1906, while under tow during a southwest gale, the M.I. Wilcox grounded near Colchester, Ontario. Her crew manned the pumps for over 10 hours before abandoning ship. The vessel foundered in 26 feet of water. All five crew members, including a woman cook, survived by reaching Detroit.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck lies in 25 ft (7.6 m) of water near the given LORAN coordinates (43802.2 / 56959.5). It is frequently visited by divers and has been documented by underwater photographers. The site is in recreational diving range with typical Lake Erie conditions.

Resources & Links

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All crew survived the sinking of the M.I. Wilcox, and the wreck remains a popular dive site. Divers are encouraged to practice no-touch documentation methods and to leave the site better than they found it, ensuring the preservation of this historical artifact.