M. Wilcox (1867)

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

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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.