M.L. Collins (1854)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: M.L. Collins
• Type: Wooden schooner
• Year Built: 1854
• Builder:
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Lake Michigan
• Original Owners: Captain H. Oertling

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The M.L. Collins was a wooden schooner primarily used for the lumber trade, reflecting the design and construction typical of mid-19th-century vessels.

Description

Built in 1854, the M.L. Collins was engaged in transporting lumber when it met its fate during a severe storm. The vessel was laden with cargo at the time of its loss.

History

The M.L. Collins was owned and captained by H. Oertling, who was also a part-owner. The vessel’s service history includes participation in the lumber trade, which was vital to the economy of the Great Lakes region during the 19th century.

Significant Incidents

• On April 22, 1893, during a spring gale, the M.L. Collins became waterlogged and was driven ashore.
• Wave action ultimately broke the vessel apart on the lee shore.
• All hands survived the incident, although specific details of their rescue remain undocumented.

Final Disposition

The official documents indicate that the M.L. Collins was a total loss following the storm. The wreckage likely remains scattered along the shore where it succumbed to the elements.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The presumed location of the wreck is on a lake or river lee shore, likely in shallow waters where the vessel broke apart. Expected remains include structural timbers, iron fastenings, fittings, and possibly remnants of the lumber cargo.

Resources & Links

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The M.L. Collins serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by wooden vessels in the Great Lakes, particularly during severe weather conditions. Further research and exploration could yield valuable insights into its construction and the circumstances surrounding its loss.