Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Merchant
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1874
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Erie (exact location unspecified)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner engaged in Lake Erie shipping.
Description
The schooner Merchant was built in 1874. Details regarding her dimensions, tonnage, and builder are not available in the historical record.
History
The registry indicates Merchant was stranded and wrecked, but provides no cargo, crew count, owner, or port data. Official abandonment occurred just two days later upon surrendering documents at Port Huron.
Significant Incidents
- Loss Date: June 28, 1905
- Cause: Driven ashore or stranded during a storm—only minimal detail is recorded.
- Action Taken: The vessel’s documentation was surrendered at Port Huron on June 30, 1905, annotated as a “total loss.”
Final Disposition
The vessel was stranded and wrecked; documentation was surrendered at Port Huron, indicating a total loss. The notation of ‘little detail’ suggests this was a minor or poorly documented incident in the historical record.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, the exact condition of the wreck is unknown due to the lack of detailed records and the absence of recent surveys.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”merchant-1874″ title=”References & Links”]
The schooner Merchant, built in 1874, was wrecked in a storm on June 28, 1905, on Lake Erie. Her registry paperwork was surrendered at Port Huron on June 30, 1905, with a notation of total loss. Unfortunately, no record remains regarding her cargo, crew, owners, or exact wreck location. The minimal entry underscores the scarcity of documentation for many smaller vessels of that era.
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 June 28, 1905, Wooden schooner engaged in Lake Erie shipping
Incident Overview
- Loss Date: June 28, 1905
- Cause: Driven ashore or stranded during a storm—only minimal detail is recorded
- Action Taken: The vessel’s documentation was surrendered at Port Huron on June 30, 1905, annotated as a “total loss”
(2 Manitowoc, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Merchant |
| Build Year | 1874 |
| Loss Date | June 28, 1905 |
| Loss Location | Lake Erie (exact location unspecified) |
| Cause of Loss | Storm-related stranding |
| Casualties | Not mentioned |
| Outcome | Stranded and wrecked; documentation surrendered at Port Huron (6‑30‑1905) |
| Notes | Entry in registry sparse and lacking detail |
Context & Commentary
- The registry indicates Merchant was stranded and wrecked, but provides no cargo, crew count, owner, or port data.
- Official abandonment occurred just two days later upon surrendering documents at Port Huron.
- The notation “little detail” suggests this was a minor or poorly documented incident in the historical record.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, 2 Manitowoc)
Research Recommendations
Given the limited archival footprint, you may consider pursuing:
- Local Port Huron newspapers (late June 1905) for possible mention of a freighter named Merchant being lost or salvaged.
- Port of registry records (e.g. Chicago, Buffalo, or Detroit) to confirm her origin, ownership, and typical routes.
- Insurance or marine underwriter ledgers—under the vessel name—may carry claims, cargo manifests, or valuation details.
- Shipping directories or dock logs—for possible listings of Merchant operating prior to her loss.
Conclusion
The schooner Merchant, built in 1874, was wrecked in a storm on June 28, 1905, on Lake Erie. Her registry paperwork was surrendered at Port Huron on June 30, 1905, with a notation of total loss. Unfortunately, no record remains regarding her cargo, crew, owners, or exact wreck location. The minimal entry underscores the scarcity of documentation for many smaller vessels of that era.
merchant-1874 1905-06-28 12:24:00