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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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