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