Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Manitou
- Type: Wooden three-masted schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: Detroit, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Not recorded, but typical barges of her size were 300–500 GRT
- Location: 25 miles west of Long Point in Lake Erie (ambiguous location near Lake Michigan)
- Coordinates: Coordinates may be found in Coast Guard or company incident logs from 1905
- Official Number: [not recorded]
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Manitou was a wooden three-masted schooner that was later converted into an unrigged barge for freight transport.
Description
Built in 1873 in Detroit, Michigan, the Manitou was designed for freight transport on the Great Lakes. She was frequently towed by steam tugs, particularly on Lake Michigan.
History
The Manitou had a service history typical of her type, being towed in consort by steam tugs for freight runs. Her last voyage occurred in early November 1905.
Significant Incidents
- November 4, 1905: The Manitou sank during a severe late-season gale while under tow, resulting in no casualties among the crew, who were rescued by the towing vessel E.M. Breitung.
Final Disposition
The Manitou was declared a total constructive loss. She sank intact or broke apart below the surface, and no salvage was attempted. The vessel was removed from records post-1905.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, as it remains a little-documented casualty. Further archival research could provide more insights into her fate.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”manitou-1873″ title=”References & Links”]
The Manitou remains a significant historical wreck, with potential for further research into her operational history, crew details, and the circumstances surrounding her loss.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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