Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Midnight
- Type: Unrigged wooden schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1856?
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Huron
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Unrigged wooden schooner-barge (listed as vessel “M”)
Description
The Midnight was a wooden schooner-barge that was unrigged and primarily used for towing. It was built around 1856 and was involved in maritime operations on the Great Lakes.
History
The Midnight was last towed by the steam propeller S.S. Wilhelm, alongside another schooner-barge named Mears. The vessel was lost on November 27, 1889, while navigating Lake Huron.
Significant Incidents
- While under tow from Cheboygan, Michigan toward Buffalo, Midnight encountered a severe southeast gale.
- Her crew abandoned Midnight in favor of Mears, which was considered safer in the storm.
- Midnight was subsequently set adrift and ultimately driven ashore by the unusual southeast gale, where she was torn apart after drifting in a derelict state.
- Mears also sank, but both crews were rescued by the U.S. Life-Saving Service.
Final Disposition
The vessel was declared a total loss, with abandon as the hull broke apart along the shoreline. No remains were salvaged or repurposed.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, the wreck of Midnight is not accessible for diving due to its total loss status and the absence of any remaining structure.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”midnight” title=”References & Links”]
The loss of Midnight serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by vessels in severe weather conditions, particularly when towing unrigged barges. It also highlights the effectiveness of the U.S. Life-Saving Service in rescuing crews from perilous situations.
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.
Schooner-Barge, Built 1856? – Lost November 27, 1889
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Midnight
- Type: Unrigged wooden schooner-barge (listed as vessel “M”)
- Last Voyage: In tow by steam propeller S.S. Wilhelm, alongside schooner-barge Mears
- Date of Loss: November 27, 1889
- Location: Lake Huron
Circumstances of Loss
- While under tow from Cheboygan, Michigan toward Buffalo, Midnight encountered a severe southeast gale.
- Her crew abandoned Midnight in favor of Mears, considered safer in the storm.
- Midnight was subsequently set adrift and ultimately driven ashore by the unusual southeast gale, where she was torn apart after drifting in a derelict state.
- Mears also sank, but both crews were rescued by the U.S. Life-Saving Service.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Law Resource)
Final Disposition
- The vessel was declared a total loss, with abandon as the hull broke apart along the shoreline.
- No remains were salvaged or repurposed.
Crew & Rescue
- Crew abandoned ship and transferred to Mears.
- Both crews were later rescued—no fatalities were recorded.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Law Resource)
Significance
- This loss highlights the perils of towing unrigged barges in open-lake gales—particularly the dangers posed by southeast squalls, rare in Lake Huron.
- It also illustrates the effectiveness of the late-19th-century U.S. Life-Saving Service in crew rescues under hazardous conditions.
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Type | Wooden schooner-barge (unrigged) |
| Lost | Nov 27, 1889, Lake Huron, while under tow |
| Cause | Southeast gale, driven ashore |
| Crew | Abandoned to safer vessel, rescued—no casualties |
| Disposition | Hull destroyed on shore, total loss |
Research Opportunities
- Shipyard or registry logs for vessel build date, final owner, or registration details
- U.S. Life-Saving Service station logs—their reports may include precise rescue timing and crew numbers
- Late-November 1889 newspapers (Cheboygan, Alpena, or Detroit) for coverage of storm conditions and the tow operation