Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: M. Wilcox
- Type: Wooden scow-schooner
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Presumed Port Huron/Lake Huron region
- Original Owners: Green, Port Huron (as of 1879)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The M. Wilcox was a typical wooden scow-schooner of the late 19th century Great Lakes fleet—designed to haul bulk items like stone, coal, or lumber in shallow coastal waters. Built in 1867, likely ranging between 60–80 ft, and rigged for modest cargo capacity.
Description
The M. Wilcox was a wooden scow-schooner, a vessel type commonly used for transporting bulk goods along the Great Lakes. These vessels were designed to navigate shallow waters, making them suitable for coastal trade. The M. Wilcox was built in 1867 and was likely equipped to carry a modest cargo, typical of her class.
History
- Registered in Port Huron, Michigan; owned by Green as of 1879.
- Official records indicate she was lost in a storm prior to being officially deregistered and surrendered on Nov 1, 1890.
- A remark in Harbor & Great Lakes (Hgl) suggests she was “passed out” (lost from active registry) in 1895, though that may reflect clerical delay or misdating.
Significant Incidents
- Loss attributed to a storm; precise date and location not detailed.
Final Disposition
- Fate: Driven ashore or foundered during storm conditions.
- Outcome: Declared total loss, rendering salvage impractical or incomplete.
- Registry Status: Document officially surrendered Nov 1, 1890.
Current Condition & Accessibility
- Exact site: Currently unknown; probable location within Port Huron/Lower St. Clair River region.
- Remains: No known surveys or documented wreck assessments. Would likely be buried or scattered in shallow coastal or river sediments.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”m-wilcox-1867″ title=”References & Links”]
The M. Wilcox represents a small-scale coastal vessel class integral to day-to-day commerce in late 19th-century Great Lakes shores. Her undocumented loss highlights common logistical hazards—particularly storm anchoring and coastal navigation—during a transitional phase of lake commerce. Recovery and documentation of her remains could yield insights into construction methods and operational use of scow-schooners, a relatively underexplored vessel category.
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
- Vessel Name: M. Wilcox
- Built: 1867 (wooden scow‑schooner)
- Document Surrendered: November 1, 1890, at Port Huron, marked “wrecked, total loss” (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Owner (1879): Listed under Green, Port Huron (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Loss Circumstances: Attributed to a storm; precise date and location not detailed (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Vessel Type & Description
The M. Wilcox was a typical wooden scow‑schooner of the late‑19th century Great Lakes fleet—designed to haul bulk items like stone, coal, or lumber in shallow coastal waters. Built in 1867, likely ranging between 60–80 ft, and rigged for modest cargo capacity.
History & Final Voyage
- Registered in Port Huron, Michigan; owned by Green as of 1879.
- Official records indicate she was lost in a storm prior to being officially deregistered and surrendered on Nov 1, 1890 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- A remark in Harbor & Great Lakes (Hgl) suggests she was “passed out” (lost from active registry) in 1895, though that may reflect clerical delay or misdating (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Final Disposition
- Fate: Driven ashore or foundered during storm conditions.
- Outcome: Declared total loss, rendering salvage impractical or incomplete.
- Registry Status: Document officially surrendered Nov 1, 1890.
Location & Wreck Condition
- Exact site: Currently unknown; probable location within Port Huron/Lower St. Clair River region.
- Remains: No known surveys or documented wreck assessments. Would likely be buried or scattered in shallow coastal or river sediments.
Research Gaps & Next Steps
| Area | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Storm Records | Search Port Huron Times, Detroit Free Press, St. Clair County Herald (late October–November 1890) for storm and wreck reports. |
| U.S. Lifesaving Service | Retrieve any incident logs from Port Huron lifesaving crews for vessel losses in late 1890. |
| Marine Registries | Review Port Huron vessel registries post‑1890 to track final registry removal and possible location entries. |
| Harbor Records | Inspect U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Port Huron harbor logs for shallow‑water wreck reports. |
| Underwater Survey | Deploy side‑scan sonar and magnetometer surveys in likely wreck zones within Port Huron and approach areas. |
| Owner Investigation | Research Green family or Green‑owned maritime enterprises in Port Huron archives for operational records of M. Wilcox. |
Summary Profile
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | M. Wilcox |
| Vessel Type | Wooden scow‑schooner |
| Built | 1867 |
| Owner (1879) | Green, Port Huron |
| Lost | Storm; pre‑November 1, 1890 |
| Registry Surrendered | Nov 1, 1890 – “wrecked, total loss” |
| Location | Presumed Port Huron/Lake Huron region |
| Casualties | Not recorded |
Significance
- M. Wilcox* represents the small‑scale coastal vessel class integral to day‑to‑day commerce in late‑19th‑century Great Lakes shores.
- Her undocumented loss highlights common logistical hazards—particularly storm anchoring and coastal navigation—during a transitional phase of lake commerce.
- Recovery and documentation of her remains could yield insights into construction methods and operational use of scow‑schooners, a relatively underexplored vessel category.