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