Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Mohegan
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1847
- Builder: Keating
- Dimensions: 116 × 26 × 9 ft; 187 tons
- Registered Tonnage: 187 tons (248 tons old measurement)
- Location: Off Pointe Aux Barques, Lake Huron
- Original Owners: Reidy & Cuson
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Mohegan was a wooden two-masted schooner, typical of mid-19th-century Great Lakes vessels, designed primarily for the transport of lumber and other goods.
Description
Built in 1847 in Monroe, Michigan, the Mohegan was actively engaged in regional lumber transport. She was a typical two-masted schooner of her size, carrying cargoes between Michigan and ports on Lake Huron and Lake Erie. Her robust construction required a substantial repair in 1860, indicating long-term service before her loss.
History
The Mohegan was constructed by Keating in Monroe, Michigan, and was primarily used for transporting lumber. She was known for her sturdy build and had undergone major repairs in 1860, likely for hull reinforcement or rigging overhaul. The vessel was owned by Reidy & Cuson and was homeported in Detroit.
Significant Incidents
- Caught in a severe northerly fall storm, the Mohegan was driven ashore near Pointe Aux Barques.
- Once ashore, she was stripped and by December 1, reported completely broken up.
- All crew survived; there are no recorded fatalities.
Final Disposition
The stranded schooner was salvage-stripped, with valuable fittings and lumber removed. By early December, wave and weather action had broken the hulk into pieces. No evidence exists of a wreck remain; it’s likely the hull completely disintegrated on the shoreline.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, there are no known remains of the Mohegan at the site, and it is presumed that the wreck has completely disintegrated due to natural elements.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”mohegan-1847″ title=”References & Links”]
The Mohegan represents a classic mid-19th-century Great Lakes lumber schooner whose service endured over two decades before storm-driven stranding ended her career. The total structural loss, lack of casualties, and salvage stripping are characteristic of freshwater wrecks of that period. Known data is thorough in terms of technical specs and incident summary—but further research into crew, ownership lineage, builder details, and physical remains could enrich the historical record.
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: Mohegan
- Build Year: 1847, constructed by Keating in Monroe, Michigan
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Specifications: 116 × 26 × 9 ft; 187 tons (248 tons old measurement) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Date of Loss: November 22, 1870
- Location: Off Pointe Aux Barques, Lake Huron (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Cargo at Time of Loss: Lumber
- Route: Bound from Au Sable, Michigan (Loud & Gay docks) to Cleveland, Ohio (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Casualties
- Caught in a severe northerly fall storm, the Mohegan was driven ashore near Pointe Aux Barques.
- Once ashore, she was stripped and by December 1, reported completely broken up (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- All crew survived; there are no recorded fatalities.
- Homeport: Detroit; Owners: Reidy & Cuson (The Blade, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- Underwent major repairs in 1860, likely for hull reinforcement or rigging overhaul (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Vessel Description & History
- Built in 1847 in Monroe, Michigan at Keating’s shipyard, the Mohegan was actively engaged in regional lumber transport.
- A typical two-masted schooner of its size, she carried cargoes between Michigan and ports on Lake Huron and Lake Erie.
- Her robust construction required a substantial repair in 1860, indicating long-term service before her loss.
Aftermath & Wreckage
- The stranded schooner was salvage-stripped, with valuable fittings and lumber removed.
- By early December, wave and weather action had broken the hulk into pieces (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- No evidence exists of a wreck remain; it’s likely the hull completely disintegrated on the shoreline.
Archival Gaps & Research Recommendations
| Category | Research Strategy |
|---|---|
| Rigging & ownership details | Examine Detroit enrollment records from the 1840s–60s |
| Crew manifests & salvage logs | Review regional newspapers (e.g., Detroit Free Press, Port Huron Courier) for survivors’ names and salvage operations |
| Insurance claims & board inquiries | Consult marine insurance filings in Detroit archives and District Court dockets |
| Shoreline debris mapping | Perform field surveys near Pointe Aux Barques for remaining hull elements or fittings |
Conclusion
The Mohegan represents a classic mid-19th-century Great Lakes lumber schooner whose service endured over two decades before storm-driven stranding ended her career. The total structural loss, lack of casualties, and salvage stripping are characteristic of freshwater wrecks of that period. Known data is thorough in terms of technical specs and incident summary—but further research into crew, ownership lineage, builder details, and physical remains could enrich the historical record.
mohegan-1847 1870-11-22 23:59:00