Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Mayflower (1887)

Explore the wreck of the Mayflower, a unique scow schooner lost in Lake Superior, offering insights into maritime history and archaeological significance.

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.

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.

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

  • Type: Wooden Scow Schooner
  • Incident Date: June 2, 1891
  • Location: 4 miles from Duluth Harbor entrance, Minnesota, Lake Superior
  • Discovery: 1991
  • Name: May Flower
  • Construction:
  • Builder: Unknown
  • Year Built: 1887
  • Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
  • Dimensions: Not documented
  • Design: Two-masted scow schooner with unique construction features, differing from typical Great Lakes scows and resembling scows from New Zealand.

HISTORY

Construction and Purpose:

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.

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.

DISCOVERY AND SIGNIFICANCE

  • Year Discovered: 1991
  • Archaeological Integrity: The remains are well-preserved, offering unique insights into the design and use of scow schooners in the Great Lakes.
  • Unique Features:
    • Construction details reveal significant differences from lower Great Lakes scows, drawing parallels to scow schooners used in New Zealand.
    • Provides a rare opportunity to study this vessel type in Lake Superior.

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.

SIGNIFICANCE

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.

NOTES FOR DIVERS AND RESEARCHERS

  • Conservation:
    • Preserve the wreck site by avoiding disturbance of artifacts and structures.
  • Potential for Study:
    • Comparative analysis with other scow schooners from the lower Great Lakes and New Zealand.

REFERENCES & LINKS

This report encapsulates the May Flower’s historical and archaeological importance, offering an understanding of its unique place in maritime history.

mayflower-1887 1891-06-02 07:48:00