Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Messenger
- Type: Fish tug (wooden hull)
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Cockburn Island, Lake Huron
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A wooden-built fish tug, designed for commercial fishing operations on the Great Lakes. Likely small, shallow draft, suited to nearshore and island fisheries.
Description
- Hull Material: Wood
- Decks: Presumably a single deck
- Use: Fishing operations typical of late 19th-century Lake Huron fisheries
History
On 1 July 1882, the Messenger caught fire near Cockburn Island, Lake Huron. After the blaze, she was deliberately scuttled by her crew to extinguish the fire and prevent further damage. Following the incident, the crew was rescued by the tug Dispatch and taken to Cheboygan, Michigan.
Significant Incidents
- 1 July 1882: Caught fire near Cockburn Island and was scuttled by the crew.
Final Disposition
Post-fire scuttling near Cockburn Island resulted in her sinking and abandonment. The exact location of the wreck remains unverified.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No records show that the wreck has been located or explored in modern surveys.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”messenger-pre-1882″ title=”References & Links”]
The Messenger fish tug’s service in Lake Huron fisheries ended abruptly in 1882 following a fire. Scuttling the vessel was a damage-control measure. Although her final resting place near Cockburn Island remains uncharted, her loss is recorded among the many small working vessels of the 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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Messenger
- Vessel Type: Fish tug (wooden hull)
- Final Location: Cockburn Island, Lake Huron
- Date Lost: 1 July 1882
- Cause: Burned and scuttled
- Final Disposition: Scuttled after a fire onboard
Vessel Type
A wooden-built fish tug, designed for commercial fishing operations on the Great Lakes. Likely small, shallow draft, suited to nearshore and island fisheries.
Description
- Hull Material: Wood
- Decks: Presumably a single deck
- Use: Fishing operations typical of late 19th-century Lake Huron fisheries
History
On 1 July 1882, the Messenger caught fire near Cockburn Island, Lake Huron. After the blaze, she was deliberately scuttled by her crew to extinguish the fire and prevent further damage. Following the incident, the crew was rescued by the tug Dispatch and taken to Cheboygan, Michigan.
Final Disposition
Post-fire scuttling near Cockburn Island resulted in her sinking and abandonment. The exact location of the wreck remains unverified.
Located By & Date Found
No records show that the wreck has been located or explored in modern surveys.
Notmars & Advisories
None noted.
Resources & Links
- Archival reports of Lake Huron fishing fleet incidents (circa 1882)
- Regional newspapers and maritime incident reports from Cheboygan, MI
- Port Huron Daily Times. Thursday, July 6, 1882
Conclusion
The Messenger fish tug’s service in Lake Huron fisheries ended abruptly in 1882 following a fire. Scuttling the vessel was a damage-control measure. Although her final resting place near Cockburn Island remains uncharted, her loss is recorded among the many small working vessels of the era.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
fish tug, burning, scuttled vessel, Lake Huron incidents, Cockburn Island, Dispatch rescue, 1880s Great Lakes disasters.
messenger-pre-1882 1882-07-01 14:50:00