Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: May Flower
- Type: Wooden Scow Schooner
- Year Built: 1887
- Builder: Unknown
- Dimensions: Not documented
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: 4 miles from Duluth Harbor entrance, Minnesota
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Wooden Scow Schooner
Description
The May Flower was a wooden scow schooner, a vessel type designed for carrying bulk cargoes efficiently. These flat-bottomed ships were capable of independent sailing but were often towed by steam-powered vessels for added efficiency.
History
Construction and Purpose: The May Flower was constructed in 1887 in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. It was designed for the efficient transport of bulk cargoes.
Final Voyage:
- Cargo: Sandstone blocks, loaded in Portage, Michigan, bound for Duluth, Minnesota.
- Incident: The May Flower capsized in heavy seas just 4 miles from Duluth Harbor. Historical records suggest the vessel was under tow by a steam-powered ship at the time of the incident.
- Outcome: The vessel sank with no known casualties reported. The wreck represents the first documented scow schooner shipwreck in Minnesota’s portion of Lake Superior.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents:
- Incident Date: June 2, 1891 – The May Flower capsized in heavy seas.
- First documented scow schooner shipwreck in Minnesota waters of Lake Superior.
Final Disposition
The May Flower sank and was not salvaged. Its wreck is now an important archaeological site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility:
- Depth: Not explicitly stated but accessible for underwater archaeological research and advanced divers.
- Condition: The wreck retains significant structural integrity. Sandstone blocks and elements of the hull are visible, providing insight into its design and cargo handling.
- Accessibility: Likely suitable for technical divers with cold-water and wreck diving experience.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mayflower-1887″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The May Flower holds immense historical and archaeological value as the first scow schooner shipwreck documented in Minnesota waters of Lake Superior. Its unique design features contribute to the broader understanding of scow schooner construction and usage in the Great Lakes and beyond.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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