Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Macatawa
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1824
- Builder: Brooklyn, Ohio
- Dimensions: 50 × 15 × 5 ft; ~32 tons
- Registered Tonnage: ~32 tons
- Location: West side of East Sister Island, Lake Erie (approximately 20 mi southwest of Port Stanley, Ontario)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner
Description
Macatawa was a wooden schooner built in 1824 in Brooklyn, Ohio. It measured 50 feet in length, 15 feet in beam, and had a hold depth of 5 feet. The vessel had a registered tonnage of approximately 32 tons.
History
The Macatawa was engaged in the transportation of barrelled whitefish and general freight. On November 22, 1829, it departed from Detroit, Michigan, but encountered severe storm conditions for over 24 hours, ultimately leading to its loss.
Significant Incidents
- On November 23, 1829, the Macatawa was driven onto East Sister Island due to storm conditions.
- The hull suffered significant damage, described as having ‘barrelled’—likely indicating that it sprang seams from the pounding of the seas—and broke apart within hours of grounding.
- All 11 crew members survived the wreck.
Final Disposition
The Macatawa was a total loss, with its hull destroyed on the rocks of East Sister Island. While salvage details remain undocumented, it is possible that some scattered wreckage was recovered shortly after the incident.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, the wreck of the Macatawa is considered destroyed, with no known remains accessible for exploration.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”macatawa-1824″ title=”References & Links”]
The wreck of the Macatawa is significant as one of the earliest recorded shipwrecks in Lake Erie, reflecting early 19th-century schooner design and the challenges faced by sail-powered freight transport during sudden storms.
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.
Macatawa (Wooden Schooner, 1824–1829)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Macatawa
- Built: 1824, Brooklyn, Ohio
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Dimensions: 50 × 15 × 5 ft; ~32 tons
- Tonnage: ~32 tons
- Date of Loss: November 23, 1829
- Location: West side of East Sister Island, Lake Erie (approximately 20 mi southwest of Port Stanley, Ontario)
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Nautical Charts)
Circumstances of Loss
- Macatawa departed Detroit on November 22, 1829, laden with barrelled whitefish and general freight.
- She battled severe storm conditions for over 24 hours before being driven onto East Sister Island.
- Once ashore, the hull “barrelled”—likely meaning she sprang seams from pounding seas—and broke apart within hours.
- All 11 crew members survived the wreck.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Disposition
- Total loss; the hull was destroyed on the rocks.
- Salvage details remain undocumented, but scattered wreckage may have been recovered soon afterward.
Casualties
- None—all 11 crew escaped safely.
Historical Significance
- Among the earliest recorded shipwrecks in Lake Erie, Macatawa reflects early 19th‑century schooner design and the perils of pre-steel, sail-powered freight transport.
- Highlights early Great Lakes commerce—particularly liquid cargo (whitefish)—and the dangers encountered during sudden storms in late November.
Source & Reference
- Catalog entry from Great Lakes Shipwreck Files: Macatawa built 1824, lost Nov 23, 1829, with full loss info and survivor count.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, historicottawabeachsociety.org)
Suggested Research Paths
- Historical Newspapers (Nov 1829):
- Detroit Gazette or Ontario papers like Upper Canada Herald may report the incident.
- Port Stanley Maritime Records:
- Search logbooks or customs ledgers for wreck salvage actions at East Sister Island.
- Eyewitness Accounts:
- Investigate early settler diaries for observations of unusual storm wind patterns at Lake Erie that fall.
Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | 1824, Brooklyn, OH |
| Type | 50‑ft wooden schooner |
| Capacity | Barrelled whitefish/general freight |
| Lost | Nov 23, 1829, East Sister Island |
| Crew | 11 rescued safely |
| Cause | Storm, hull failure from pounding |
| Wreck Status | Destroyed—no known remains |