Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Monsoon
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1847
- Builder: John Oades at Milan, Ohio
- Dimensions: 106 ft × 22 ft × 9 ft; ~132 tons
- Registered Tonnage: 132 tons
- Location: Likely in mid-Lake Michigan, en route from Muskegon to Chicago
- Official Number: 16 418
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden Schooner – Built 1847, Lost November 4 1881
Description
The Monsoon was a two-masted wooden schooner, specifically designed for the transport of slab lumber. She was built in 1847 by John Oades in Milan, Ohio, and measured 106 feet in length, 22 feet in beam, and had a depth of 9 feet. The vessel had a registered tonnage of approximately 132 tons.
History
The Monsoon departed Muskegon, Michigan, on November 2, 1881, bound for Chicago, carrying a cargo of 106 cords of slab lumber. Despite warnings regarding her deteriorated condition, she set sail. During her voyage, she encountered a severe gale and subsequently disappeared without a trace. Initial reports indicated no wreckage was sighted immediately after her disappearance.
A later report from Detroit noted the vessel’s advanced decay, suggesting that no part of the wreck was expected to survive. Some chroniclers speculated that she may have been struck and sunk by the steamer Joseph L. Hurd during the storm, as witnessed by crew members from another schooner, C.P. Merrick, who reported horrific damage and loss of life.
Significant Incidents
- Sailed November 2, 1881, from Muskegon amidst warnings of her deteriorated condition.
- Mid-voyage, she disappeared during a severe gale—no wreckage sighted immediately.
- A later Detroit report noted her advanced decay, with no hope of discovering even a plank.
- According to chroniclers, she may have been struck and sunk by the steamer Joseph L. Hurd, after collision amid the storm, witnessed by crew from another schooner (C.P. Merrick) who reported horrific damage and loss of life.
Final Disposition
The Monsoon vanished without salvage and is presumed destroyed and fully submerged. Contemporary reports indicated that due to extreme rot and decay, no part of the wreck was expected to survive, and no remains were ever recovered.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As the wreck of the Monsoon has not been located, its current condition remains unknown. Given the reports of her advanced decay at the time of loss, it is likely that no trace of the vessel remains.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”monsoon-us-16418″ title=”References & Links”]
The Monsoon serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on Lake Michigan, particularly during late-season voyages. Her story reflects the challenges of maritime navigation in the 19th century, where the combination of weather and vessel condition could lead to tragic outcomes.
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.
Wooden Schooner – Built 1847, Lost November 4 1881
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Monsoon
- Official Number: 16 418
- Built: 1847 by John Oades at Milan, Ohio
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner, specialized for slab lumber transport
- Dimensions: 106 ft × 22 ft × 9 ft; ~132 tons
- Date of Loss: Approximately November 4, 1881
- Route: Departed Muskegon, MI, bound for Chicago
- Cargo: 106 cords of slab lumber
- Location of Loss: Likely in mid-Lake Michigan, en route from Muskegon to Chicago
Circumstances of Loss
- Sailed November 2, 1881, from Muskegon amidst warnings of her deteriorated condition.
- Mid-voyage, she disappeared during a severe gale—no wreckage sighted immediately.
- A later Detroit report noted her advanced decay, with no hope of discovering even a plank.
- According to chroniclers, she may have been struck and sunk by the steamer Joseph L. Hurd, after collision amid the storm, witnessed by crew from another schooner (C.P. Merrick) who reported horrific damage and loss of life.
Casualties & Crew
- Six souls were aboard—all presumed lost with the vessel.
- Crew from C.P. Merrick witnessed her rapid sinking; at least one man’s body was reportedly mangled by Joseph L. Hurd’s propeller.
Final Disposition
The Monsoon vanished without salvage, presumed destroyed and fully submerged. Contemporary reports stated that due to extreme rot and decay, no part of the wreck was expected to survive, and no remains were ever recovered.
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Historical Significance
- The Monsoon exemplifies the era’s fast-framing, coastal lumber schooners—vessels often built cheaply and with minimal longevity.
- Sailor testimony of a propeller strike amid the storm adds a rare collision twist to what was initially thought to be a plain foundering, reflecting the hidden dangers of late-season maritime passage on Lake Michigan.
Sources & References
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – “M” list: detailed summary of build, loss, collision, and cargo
- Michigan Shipwreck Research Association: additional context on her construction in 1847 and sinking in 1881
Summary Table
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built | 1847, Milan, Ohio |
| Length / Tonnage | 106 ft / 132 tons (wooden schooner) |
| Cargo | 106 cords slab lumber |
| Lost | ca. Nov 4, 1881, Lake Michigan |
| Cause | Gale + probable collision with steamer |
| Crew | 6 lost at sea |
| Wreck | No trace recovered |