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
[shotline_reference_links slug=”m-l-collins-1854″ title=”References & Links”]
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.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: M. L. Collins
- Built: 1854 (specific yard not yet identified)
- Type: Wooden schooner, primarily used for lumber trade
- Last Owner & Master: Captain H. Oertling, who was also part-owner
- Final Voyage: Laden with lumber when caught in a severe storm
- Loss Date: April 22, 1893
- Incident: Driven ashore and wrecked; official documents show total loss
Incident & Final Disposition
- During a spring gale, M. L. Collins became waterlogged and succumbed to the storm’s force.
- She was driven onto a lee shore, where wave action ultimately broke her apart.
- All hands survived—though specific details of their rescue (by life-saving crews or simply reaching shore) remain undocumented.
Archival & Research Gaps
To develop a fuller and more precise profile, we’ll want to locate:
- Construction & Registry Records
- Enrollment data for 1854 confirming dimensions, tonnage, shipyard, and homeport
- Voyage & Ownership Documentation
- Freight logs showing departure port, intended destination, and cargo manifest
- Crew List
- Names and positions of crew, possibly listed in enrollment documents or ship’s articles
- Weather Data
- Historical meteorological logs detailing storm conditions near loss date
- Rescue or Salvage Reports
- Life-Saving Service record, tug log, or newspaper coverage of the crew’s survival
- Wreck Site Location
- 19th-century charts and logs might give a clear grounding location for survey planning
Wreck & Survey Potential
- Presumed Location: On a lake or river lee shore—likely in shallow waters where she broke apart
- Expected Remains: Structural timbers, iron fastenings, fittings, and possibly lumber cargo remnants
- Survey Plan:
- Use period charts and storm drift analysis to narrow down grounding area
- Employ side-scan sonar and magnetometer to locate debris in historically anchored zones
- Conduct shoreline and underwater reconnaissance to confirm remnants and structural spread
Historical Significance
- M. L. Collins typifies mid-19th-century wooden schooners that served the lumber trade well into the late 1800s
- The vessel’s loss highlights the perils of spring storms, especially for aging wooden hulls under heavy cargo
- Captain Oertling—a part-owner and master—points to entrepreneurial craft management practices of the era
Recommended Next Steps
- Archive Requests
- National Archives (Detroit or Chicago district) for enrollment and registry (1854)
- Newspaper Research
- April and May 1893 issues in regional ports—e.g., Duluth, Chicago, Port Huron—for incident reporting
- Weather Logs
- NOAA or Environment Canada archives for storm data in April 1893
- Field Survey Preparation
- Coordinate with maritime archaeologists for sonar/magnetometer reconnaissance based on suspected range