Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Magnolia
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1845
- Builder: Black River (Lorain), Ohio
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Ashore at Gull Island, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: Not recorded
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Two-masted wooden schooner designed for cargo transport, primarily grain.
Description
The Magnolia was a mid-19th-century grain schooner that routinely carried corn between western Lake Michigan ports. The vessel became stranded on Gull Island during a late-season storm, ultimately wrecked by wave action.
History
Built in 1845 at Black River (Lorain), Ohio, the Magnolia was part of the grain trade on Lake Michigan. No detailed records of builders, owners, or dimensions have been located, indicating further archival research is needed.
Significant Incidents
- Grounded on Gull Island during a storm on October 27, 1856.
- All hands survived the grounding; no casualties reported.
Final Disposition
The Magnolia was noted as a total loss after being driven ashore and wrecked by wave action.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is expected to contain scattered timber debris and metal fasteners, largely broken by wave action. Likely no intact hull remains.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”magnolia-1845″ title=”References & Links”]
The Magnolia represents mid-century grain schooner traffic on Lake Michigan, highlighting the dangers of autumn gales in the lake’s open midsection. Locating the wreckage may provide insights into 1850s maritime practices.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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