Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Maud Sammons
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1874
- Builder: Not recorded
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Not recorded
- Location: Lake Michigan
- Coordinates: Not available
- Official Number: Not recorded
- Original Owners: Not recorded
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner engaged in carrying small cargo and light freight.
Description
Built in 1874, the Maud Sammons was a wooden two-masted schooner primarily used for transporting cargo and light freight on Lake Michigan and Lake Huron.
History
The Maud Sammons was constructed in 1874, likely in Michigan or Wisconsin, although the exact shipyard is not recorded. The vessel’s operational history remains largely undocumented, with no specific details on cargo, owner, or port provided in surviving records.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: December 1, 1890 (some records cite early December generally, but the most consistent date is Dec 1).
- Loss Location: Lake Michigan or adjacent waters (specific harbor not recorded).
- Cause of Loss: Fire aboard—the vessel burned completely and was declared a total loss.
- Casualties: None identified—crew presumably ashore or evacuated in time.
- Document Status: Official abandonment did not occur until 1906, indicating that insurers delayed finalizing the wreck claim or attempts were made to raise or rebuild her.
Final Disposition
The Maud Sammons was destroyed by fire on December 1, 1890. Despite burning to a total loss, her formal registry abandonment was delayed until 1906, possibly due to insurance or salvage considerations.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, and accessibility for divers may vary. Further research may be needed to determine the exact location and state of the wreck.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”maud-sammons-1874″ title=”References & Links”]
Although only a brief entry survives, further research into period sources may uncover ownership, operational routes, or loss circumstances related to the Maud Sammons.
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.
Built 1874; lost December 1, 1890, Wooden two-masted schooner; cargo and light freight on Lake Michigan and Lake Huron
Identification & Specifications
- Built: 1874, likely in Michigan or Wisconsin (exact yard not recorded)
- Official Number: Not recorded in the summary entry
- Type: Wooden schooner engaged in carrying small cargo and light freight
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Final Voyage & Loss Details — December 1, 1890
- Date of Loss: December 1, 1890 (some records cite early December generally, but the most consistent date is Dec 1)
- Loss Location: Lake Michigan or adjacent waters (specific harbor not recorded)
- Cause of Loss: Fire aboard—the vessel burned completely and was declared a total loss
- Casualties: None identified—crew presumably ashore or evacuated in time
- Document Status: Official abandonment did not occur until 1906, indicating that insurers delayed finalizing the wreck claim or attempts were made to raise or rebuild her
(greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Maud Sammons (built 1874) |
| Built | Circa 1874 (MI or WI) |
| Type | Wooden schooner (cargo/light freight) |
| Loss Date | December 1, 1890 |
| Loss Location | Lake Michigan (exact harbor not specified) |
| Cause of Loss | Fire—burned to total loss |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Record Abandonment | Official loss entry not submitted until 190 |
Contextual Notes & Interpretation
- The delayed abandonment date in 1906 suggests Maud Sammons remained on the registry for many years after the fire—possibly due to lingering salvage rights or bureaucratic delay.
- No specific details on cargo, owner, or port are provided in the surviving summary. The incident appears typical of minor sailing vessels at dock or anchorage being lost to fire when unattended.
- Without crew fatality, the event likely occurred during mooring or between voyages, rather than underway—a common pattern for mid‑sized schooners of that period.
Research Suggestions
To reconstruct a fuller historical narrative, you might consider:
- Regional newspaper coverage (Dec 1890)—cities around Lake Michigan (like Milwaukee, Chicago, Green Bay) may include loss notices or dockside fire reports.
- Insurance and underwriters’ records—entries under the vessel’s name may explain the delayed abandonment, ownership, cargo, or fire-inspection comments.
- Merchant registry archives or port ledgers—to trace the ship’s operational history, port of home registry, and ownership details.
- Harbor authority or company archives—especially if local maritime museums or historical societies preserve dock logs or shipping company records.
Final Reflections
Maud Sammons, a wooden schooner built in 1874, was destroyed by fire on December 1, 1890. Despite burning to a total loss, her formal registry abandonment was delayed until 1906—possibly due to insurance or salvage considerations. No crew were lost. Although only a brief entry survives, further research into period sources may uncover ownership, operational routes, or loss circumstances.
maud-sammons-1874 1890-12-01 11:45:00