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.
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
- Name: Magnolia
- Build Year: 1845, at Black River (Lorain), Ohio
- Type: Two‑masted wooden schooner
- Official Number: Not recorded
- Loss Date: October 27, 1856
- Cargo: Corn
- Wreck Location: Ashore at Gull Island, Lake Michigan (exact island attribution uncertain)
- Casualties: None reported — all hands survived the grounding (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Wreck Details
- En route in a late-season storm, Magnolia was driven ashore on Gull Island.
- The vessel became stranded and was wrecked by wave action; the loss was noted as a total finish—”a total loss” (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Vessel History & Operational Notes
- A mid-19th-century grain schooner, routinely carrying corn between western Lake Michigan ports.
- No detailed records of builders, owners, or dimensions have been located—indicating further archival research is needed.
Archival & Research Gaps
- Construction Details: Yard and enrollment documents circa 1845—likely in U.S. Customs or Great Lakes registry.
- Crew Manifest: Crew and master names are unlisted; retrieve from shipping lists or enrollment files.
- Weather Conditions: Storm data from NOAA or Environment Canada for October 1856 may clarify loss context.
- Local Press: Western Michigan newspapers such as Milwaukee Sentinel or Chicago Daily Tribune may provide eyewitness reports.
- Wreck Documentation: Field records at Gull Island and any archaeological survey documenting remaining timbers or fittings.
Wreck & Survey Potential
- Site Location: Gull Island, mid‑Lake Michigan—remote and likely in shallow water.
- Physical Condition: Expected scatter of timber debris and metal fasteners, largely broken by wave action. Likely no intact hull remains.
- Survey Plan:
- Historical chart study to determine grounding coordinates
- Side‑scan sonar and magnetometer survey of the shoreline
- Remote dive or shoreline scouting for metal artifacts or timber fragments
Significance & Summary
- Magnolia represents mid-century grain schooner traffic on Lake Michigan—an era of sail-powered cargo vessels before steam dominance.
- The grounding underlines the dangers of autumn gales in the lake’s open midsection.
- Locating wreckage may uncover insights into hull construction, vessel outfitting, and storm navigation challenges of the 1850s.
Recommendations for Further Work
- Access enrollment and registry files from National Archives (Detroit or Cincinnati District) for 1845–1856.
- Search for newspaper archives from October–November 1856 for incident coverage.
- Coordinate an underwater survey with Great Lakes maritime archaeologists—start with magnetometer sweep near Gull Island.