Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Maryland
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: Circa 1844
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Driven ashore during a major gale in Lake Michigan—likely along Western Michigan or Ohio shores
- Official Number: Not located in available registries
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Mid-19th century two-masted wooden schooner used for general freight across Great Lakes ports. Capable of handling varied cargoes and suited for coastal trade routes.
Description
On 3 December 1854, Maryland was headed downlake when a powerful general gale struck the region. The schooner was driven ashore along with several other vessels, likely on the western shore of Lake Michigan. She was pounded by surf against the beach and declared a total loss when salvaging proved unfeasible.
History
The hull was damaged beyond repair and abandoned on the beach. No refloating or salvage operation is recorded.
Significant Incidents
- No modern dive, GPS, or shoreline archeological surveys have documented her timetable or remains.
Final Disposition
The hull was damaged beyond repair and abandoned on the beach. No refloating or salvage operation is recorded.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No navigational aids or chart hazards mark her wreck location. The area remains known for severe winter storms, and grounding events remain possible with similar weather patterns.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”maryland-c1844″ title=”References & Links”]
The Maryland, a wooden schooner built around 1844, was wrecked on 3 December 1854 during a major Lake Michigan gale. Driven ashore and broken up, she was one of several losses in the event. Her crew survived, but her remains remain unlocated and undocumented by modern surveys. Additional archival digging could uncover press reports or harbor logs essential to pinpointing her final resting spot.
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: Maryland
- Built: Circa 1844 (likely Great Lakes wooden schooner)
- Vessel Type: Wooden schooner
- Official Number: Not located in available registries
- Final Loss: 3 December 1854
- Location: Driven ashore during a major gale in Lake Michigan—likely along Western Michigan or Ohio shores
- Cargo: Not documented
- Crew & Casualties: None recorded; presumed safe evacuation
Vessel Type
Mid-19th century two-masted wooden schooner used for general freight across Great Lakes ports. Capable of handling varied cargoes and suited for coastal trade routes.
Final Voyage & Loss
On 3 December 1854, Maryland was headed downlake when a powerful general gale struck the region. The schooner was driven ashore along with several other vessels, likely on the western shore of Lake Michigan. She was pounded by surf against the beach and declared a total loss when salvaging proved unfeasible.
Final Disposition
The hull was damaged beyond repair and abandoned on the beach. No refloating or salvage operation is recorded.
Located By & Date Found
Nil return. No modern dive, GPS, or shoreline archeological surveys have documented her timetable or remains.
Notations & Advisories
No navigational aids or chart hazards mark her wreck location. The area remains known for severe winter storms, and grounding events remain possible with similar weather patterns.
Archival & Research Opportunities
- Regional Newspaper Search (Dec 1854):
Investigate small Lake Michigan press archives—Milwaukee Sentinel, Chicago Democrat, Milford Chronicle—for grounding reports listing multiple vessels lost. - Port Records:
Harbor logs from ports like Milwaukee, Chicago, or Benton Harbor may include grounding and wreck logs related to the gale. - Underwriting Documentation:
Insurer records (Chicago or Detroit) may contain hull loss evaluations or claims surrounding this notable gale.
Conclusion
The Maryland, a wooden schooner built around 1844, was wrecked on 3 December 1854 during a major Lake Michigan gale. Driven ashore and broken up, she was one of several losses in the event. Her crew survived, but her remains remain unlocated and undocumented by modern surveys. Additional archival digging could uncover press reports or harbor logs essential to pinpointing her final resting spot.
maryland-c1844 1854-12-03 12:43:00