BELL, MATTIE C.
WRECK (schooner-barge)
1. IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
BELL, MATTIE C. was a wooden three-masted schooner-barge built in 1882 for the Great Lakes bulk trade. The vessel stranded during a gale while under tow and was ultimately abandoned after prolonged recovery attempts. The remains are located near Big Summer Island, Lake Michigan.
Final Location: Big Summer Island, Lake Michigan
Date of Loss:
Access: Water access; exact site conditions not yet confirmed
2. CONSTRUCTION & OWNERSHIP
Built in 1882 at East Saginaw, Michigan by Mason, Corning, & Co., with Thomas Arnold serving as master carpenter. The vessel was constructed as a schooner-barge for high-capacity bulk cargo service.
Vessel Type: Schooner-barge
Hull Material: Wood
Decks: 1
Official Number: 91420
Original Owner: L. P. Mason, East Saginaw, Michigan
3. RIG & POWER
BELL, MATTIE C. was a non-powered schooner-barge designed to be operated under tow, with auxiliary sail capability.
Masts: 3
Propulsion: Sail and tow
4. DIMENSIONS & CAPACITY
Length: 181 ft (55.2 m)
Beam: 33.4 ft (10.2 m)
Depth: 11.5 ft (3.5 m)
Gross Tonnage: 769
Net Tonnage: 742
Capacity: Approximately 700,000 board feet of lumber
5. SERVICE HISTORY
The vessel was one of a group of nearly identical schooner-barges, duplicated from ROSA SONSMITH and NELLIE MASON, all built at the same yard for the same ownership. BELL, MATTIE C. was enrolled at Port Huron, Michigan, on 13 April 1882 and launched on 3 June 1882.
On 23 October 1889, while in tow of the steamer C. H. GREEN, the vessel was struck by the steamer MINNEAPOLIS in the Southeast Bend of the St. Clair River. The schooner-barge was damaged but successfully repaired at Port Huron.
6. LOSS CIRCUMSTANCES
On 25 November 1895, BELL, MATTIE C. was in tow of the steamer SHERIFFS when a gale caused the vessel to strand near Big Summer Island in Lake Michigan.
Cause: Stranded in heavy weather while under tow
Final Cargo: Coal
Outcome: Abandoned after approximately two and a half months of recovery efforts
Casualties: None reported
7. WRECK DESCRIPTION & DIVE / SURVEY NOTES
The wreck represents a stranded wooden schooner-barge, likely broken down by wave action and ice over time. Structural remains may be scattered, and site integrity is expected to vary depending on exposure.
No-touch documentation only. Artifact removal is illegal without permits or licences. Divers are reminded to leave only bubbles, take only memories, and to remove only modern garbage where appropriate.
8. REFERENCES & LINKS
For detailed references and supporting documents, see the References & Links section on this page.
Shotline Diving Site Profile
Name: BELL, MATTIE C.
Other Names: None recorded
Official Number: 91420
Registry: United States
Vessel Type: Schooner-barge
Builder: Mason, Corning, & Co.
Year Built: 1882
Dimensions: 181 ft × 33.4 ft × 11.5 ft
Tonnage: 769 gross / 742 net
Cargo on Final Voyage: Coal
Date of Loss: 25 November 1895
Location: Big Summer Island, Lake Michigan
Coordinates: Not yet confirmed
Depth: Not yet confirmed
Home Port: East Saginaw, Michigan
Owners: L. P. Mason
Crew: Not recorded
Casualties: None reported