Mint (1843)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Mint
• Type: Schooner
• Year Built: 1843
• Builder: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Dimensions: Length 76 ft (23.2 m); Beam 14 ft (4.3 m); Depth 5 ft (1.5 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 44 tons (approx. 39.9 metric tonnes)
• Location: South of the harbor entrance at Calumet, Illinois
• Official Number: None
• Original Owners: Unknown
• Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Mint was a wooden, two-masted packet schooner, a type of vessel commonly used in the mid-19th century for transporting goods and passengers across the Great Lakes. Packet schooners were known for their speed and regular service schedules, making them a vital component of commerce during that era.

Description

Built in 1843 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Mint was a modestly sized schooner measuring 76 feet (23.2 metres) in length, with a beam of 14 feet (4.3 metres) and a depth of 5 feet (1.5 metres). With a gross tonnage of 44 (approx. 39.9 metric tonnes), she was designed for the efficient transport of cargo and possibly passengers across the Great Lakes. Her construction reflected the typical design of the period, optimized for speed and maneuverability.

History

On August 30, 1850, the Mint encountered a storm while navigating Lake Michigan near the entrance to Calumet Harbor, Illinois. The vessel stranded during the storm and subsequently broke up, resulting in a total loss. There is some ambiguity regarding the aftermath; certain records suggest that the Mint may have been recovered, but definitive information is lacking. The incident underscores the perils faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, where sudden storms could swiftly turn routine voyages into disasters. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Significant Incidents

• Stranded during a storm on August 30, 1850, leading to total loss.

Final Disposition

Following the stranding and breakup, the Mint was considered a total loss. Some historical accounts imply that recovery efforts may have been undertaken, but there is no conclusive evidence to confirm the vessel’s salvage. The exact details of her final disposition remain uncertain.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As of current records, there is no publicly available information indicating that the wreck of the Mint has been located or surveyed.

Resources & Links

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The Mint serves as a representative example of the numerous small schooners that operated on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Her loss near Calumet Harbor in 1850 highlights the challenges of navigation and the ever-present danger of sudden storms in the region. While the vessel remains undiscovered, her story contributes to the rich tapestry of maritime history on Lake Michigan.