Monguagon – Detroit River Schooner Shipwreck (1911)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Monguagon
• Type: Schooner
• Year Built: 1874
• Builder: A. A. Turner, Trenton, Michigan
• Dimensions: Length 136.5 ft (41.6 m); Beam 36.2 ft (11 m); Depth of hold 12.8 ft (3.9 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 301 gross tons, 286 net tons
• Location: Detroit River
• Official Number: 90658
• Original Owners: A. A. Turner et al., Trenton, Michigan; Ed Mayes (Detroit); John Warner (Cleveland); Crosby & MacDonald; Timothy Hurley
• Number of Masts: 3

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type:
Three-masted wooden schooner, primarily used in the grain trade but also adapted to carry other bulk cargoes such as coal.

Description

Description:
The Monguagon was a large, wooden, three-masted schooner constructed in 1874 in Trenton, Michigan by A. A. Turner. With a capacity of 22,000 bushels, she was well-suited for the grain trade, a critical industry in the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. Measuring 136.5 feet (41.6 m) in length with a beam of 36.2 feet (11 m) and a depth of 12.8 feet (3.9 m), she was a robust and versatile vessel typical of the era’s Great Lakes schooners.

History

History:
The Monguagon had a long and eventful career spanning nearly four decades. Initially engaged in the grain trade, she frequently navigated between ports like Milwaukee, Detroit, Cleveland, and Sheboygan. Ownership of the vessel changed hands multiple times, with notable owners including Ed Mayes (Detroit), John Warner (Cleveland), Crosby & MacDonald, and finally Timothy Hurley.

Her operational history was marked by a series of mishaps and accidents, typical of the unpredictable conditions on the Great Lakes:

• 1880: She collided with the schooner Wells Burt, another well-known Great Lakes vessel.
• 1881: Ran aground in fog near South Fox Island, requiring the jettisoning of cargo to refloat.
• 1888: A particularly troublesome year; in May, she was sunk in Milwaukee by a collision with the Clarion, only to be raised and later grounded on Goose Island in September while carrying coal. Tugs Mocking Bird and Saugatuck eventually freed her, and she was repaired in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Despite these setbacks, the Monguagon continued to serve, often towed by steam-powered vessels like Waldo A. Avery, Birkhead, and Majestic, reflecting the transition period in maritime technology from sail to steam.

Significant Incidents

Significant Incidents:

• 1880: Collision with the schooner Wells Burt.
• 1881: Ran aground near South Fox Island.
• 1888: Sunk by collision with the Clarion and later grounded on Goose Island.

Final Disposition

Final Disposition:
On July 2, 1911, the Monguagon met her final fate when she sank in the Detroit River under the ownership of Timothy Hurley. The specific circumstances of the sinking are not well-documented, but given her age and the cumulative wear from decades of service and accidents, structural failure or a minor collision led to her final resting place.

Located By & Date Found:
No confirmed discovery of the wreck has been reported in modern times.

NOTMARs & Advisories:
No current navigational hazards related to the wreck are documented in the Detroit River.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Current Condition & Accessibility:
The wreck of the Monguagon remains unconfirmed, and no current condition assessments are available.

Resources & Links

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Conclusion:
The Monguagon epitomizes the rugged resilience of Great Lakes schooners during the late 19th century. Despite numerous collisions, groundings, and even a sinking, she remained in service for nearly 40 years before finally succumbing to the waters of the Detroit River in 1911. While her exact resting place remains unconfirmed, her story contributes to the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes.