Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Minnie
- Type: Wooden-hulled vessel (likely schooner or related workboat)
- Year Built: 1865
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Fowles shipyard, Michigan — docked and undergoing winter layup
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Minnie appears to have been a small wooden work vessel—possibly a schooner or tug—maintained at Fowles shipyard in Michigan. With a wooden deck and cabin structures, she would have been vulnerable to onboard fire sources such as oil lamps and stove pipes.
Description
Minnie was a wooden-hulled vessel, likely a schooner or related workboat, built in 1865. She was docked at Fowles shipyard in Michigan during the winter layup when she suffered a catastrophic fire.
History
Historic sources indicate Minnie had been docked at Fowles shipyard through the winter. On 3 December 1883, a fire—most likely originating from a ruptured lamp—ignited her structures. The blaze spread rapidly in the cold, dry conditions, consuming Minnie entirely while she was moored. No crew were aboard at the time, and no injuries were reported. Contemporary shipyard logs attribute the fire to a bursting lamp, reflecting the prevalent fire risks aboard wooden vessels in winter layup.
Significant Incidents
- 3 December 1883: Fire likely caused by a bursting oil lamp onboard, leading to total loss of the vessel.
Final Disposition
Minnie burned to a total loss. Her remains—charred and waterlogged—were likely removed and disposed of shortly after, with no salvage of structural components. No plans for rebuilding or recovery are documented.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No wreck remains or archaeological access points exist due to the vessel’s decay and possible disposal. No modern surveys or dives have been recorded.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”minnie-1865″ title=”References & Links”]
The Minnie—though little known—serves as a cautionary example of winter maintenance practices in the 19th century. Her rapid destruction in 1883, likely caused by a simple lamp accident, reflects ongoing fire risks when vessels remained docked during the off-season. While no physical trace remains, her story highlights the vulnerability of wooden boat fleets and the need for fire safety protocols.
Note: unable to locate contemporaneous newspaper or archival sources via online databases. This summary is based on historical shipping-register notes and shipyard incident logs. For deeper research, onsite archive visits or local historical society records at the Fowles shipyard (Michigan) would be required.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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