Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: M. Stalker
- Type: Wooden-Hulled Schooner
- Year Built: 1863
- Builder: Captain H. Kelly
- Dimensions: Length: 135.0 ft (41.1 m); Beam: 21.3 ft (6.5 m); Depth of hold: 10.3 ft (3.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 267.91 tons; Net Tonnage: 254.52 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 29.3 m / 96 ft
- Location: Approximately 1 mile below Mackinaw City, Michigan
- Original Owners: A.P. Mowry
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The M. STALKER was a wooden schooner designed for the Great Lakes trade, constructed as a first-class vessel for transporting bulk commodities. Schooners like the M. STALKER were pivotal in the mid-19th century for the economic development of the region, frequently carrying goods such as lumber, grain, and ore.
Description
Commissioned by A.P. Mowry, the M. STALKER was built by Captain H. Kelly in 1863 in Milan, Ohio. It was an impressive vessel for its time, offering a combination of capacity, speed, and reliability.
The schooner was captained by Captain Stalker, whose name the ship bore. For over two decades, the M. STALKER sailed the Great Lakes, transporting various cargos and earning a reputation as a durable and well-maintained vessel.
History
On November 6, 1886, while anchored about 1 mile below Mackinaw City, the M. STALKER was struck by a consort of a Canadian steam barge. The collision occurred on the starboard bow, severely damaging the schooner and causing it to sink rapidly. At the time, the vessel was laden with ore, which likely contributed to its swift descent to the lakebed.
The wreck lies in 16 fathoms (96 feet/29.3 meters) of water. Fortunately, all crew members were rescued, but the M. STALKER was a total loss.
Significant Incidents
- November 6, 1886: The M. STALKER was struck by a Canadian steam barge, leading to its sinking.
Final Disposition
There is no modern record of the wreck’s discovery or detailed exploration, and its condition on the lakebed remains undocumented.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck site of the M. STALKER.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”m-stalker-1863″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
Divers are encouraged to respect the site and engage in no-touch documentation methods. Remember to leave only bubbles and take only memories while exploring this historic wreck.
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.
Identification & Site Information:
- Name: M. STALKER
- Type: Wooden-Hulled Schooner
- Built: 1863, Milan, Ohio
- Builder: Captain H. Kelly
- Owner: A.P. Mowry
- Dimensions:
- Length: 135.0 feet (41.1 meters)
- Beam: 21.3 feet (6.5 meters)
- Depth: 10.3 feet (3.1 meters)
- Tonnage:
- Gross Tonnage: 267.91 tons
- Net Tonnage: 254.52 tons
- Final Resting Place: Approximately 1 mile below Mackinaw City, Michigan, in 16 fathoms (96 feet/29.3 meters) of water.
Vessel Type Description:
The M. STALKER was a wooden schooner designed for the Great Lakes trade, constructed as a first-class vessel for transporting bulk commodities. Schooners like the M. STALKER were pivotal in the mid-19th century for the economic development of the region, frequently carrying goods such as lumber, grain, and ore.
History:
Commissioned by A.P. Mowry, the M. STALKER was built by Captain H. Kelly in 1863 in Milan, Ohio. It was an impressive vessel for its time, offering a combination of capacity, speed, and reliability.
The schooner was captained by Captain Stalker, whose name the ship bore. For over two decades, the M. STALKER sailed the Great Lakes, transporting various cargos and earning a reputation as a durable and well-maintained vessel.
Final Disposition:
On November 6, 1886, while anchored about 1 mile below Mackinaw City, the M. STALKER was struck by a consort of a Canadian steam barge. The collision occurred on the starboard bow, severely damaging the schooner and causing it to sink rapidly. At the time, the vessel was laden with ore, which likely contributed to its swift descent to the lakebed.
The wreck lies in 16 fathoms (96 feet/29.3 meters) of water. Fortunately, all crew members were rescued, but the M. STALKER was a total loss.
Located By & Date:
There is no modern record of the wreck’s discovery or detailed exploration, and its condition on the lakebed remains undocumented.
NOTMARs & Advisories:
There are no active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck site of the M. STALKER.
Resources & Links:
m-stalker-1863 1886-11-06 07:51:00