Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Montmorency (1866)

Explore the remains of the Montmorency, a scow-schooner lost in 1901, now a popular site for divers and kayakers in Lake Huron.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Montmorency (also known as Hannah Moore)
  • Type: Wooden scow-schooner used for lumber transport
  • Year Built: 1866
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 6 m / 20 ft
  • Location: Off west side of Big Charity Island, Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron
  • Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

This was a typical 2-masted, flat-bottom scow-schooner built for shallow-water hauling of lumber. Though precise dimensions and tonnage are not recorded here, similar vessels ranged 65–140 ft LOA, flat decked for maximum cargo space.

Description

The Montmorency met its end in May 1901 after fog-induced stranding near Big Charity Island. Though broken by storms, its remains remain charted and are accessible in shallow waters, making it valuable both for field study and public engagement in maritime heritage.

History

The Montmorency was primarily used for transporting lumber. On May 19, 1901, it ran aground in shallow waters off Big Charity Island due to dense fog, leading to structural damage that left it stranded. Over time, successive storms broke the vessel apart, and its remains now lie scattered in shallow water.

Significant Incidents

  • Weather/visibility conditions: Dense fog
  • Incident: Ran aground in shallow waters off Big Charity Island due to poor visibility; grounded on sandy shoals
  • Consequences: Structural damage left it stranded; successive storms broke the vessel apart over time; remains now lie scattered in shallow water
  • Casualties: No crew lost according to records

Final Disposition

The wreck is explicitly marked on nautical charts, suggesting awareness of its hazard and presence. The current condition of the wreck is that of a broken hull largely disintegrated, with only scattered timbers and partially intact framing remaining.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck site is popular among novice divers and kayakers exploring shallow-water wrecks. The depth range is likely under 20 ft (6 m), making it accessible to paddlers and shore-based explorers.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”montmorency-1866″ title=”References & Links”]

Archival and cartographic research, combined with shallow-water surveys, can further enrich our understanding of this vessel and its role in Great Lakes lumber transport.

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.

Scow‑Schooner, b. 1866

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Vessel name: Montmorency (also known as Hannah Moore)
  • Built: 1866
  • Vessel type: Wooden scow‑schooner used for lumber transport
  • Loss date: May 19, 1901
  • Cargo at loss: Lumber
  • Location: Off west side of Big Charity Island, Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron
  • Charted wreck: Listed and visible on modern navigation charts (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Woodworking Network)

Vessel Type & Description

This was a typical 2‑masted, flat‑bottom scow‑schooner built for shallow‑water hauling of lumber. Though precise dimensions and tonnage are not recorded here, similar vessels ranged 65–140 ft LOA, flat decked for maximum cargo space.

Circumstances of Loss

  • Weather/visibility conditions: Dense fog
  • Incident: Ran aground in shallow waters off Big Charity Island due to poor visibility; grounded on sandy shoals
  • Consequences: Structural damage left it stranded; successive storms broke the vessel apart over time; remains now lie scattered in shallow water
  • Casualties: No crew lost according to records (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Wreck & Site Information

  • Current condition: Broken hull largely disintegrated; only scattered timbers and partially intact framing remain
  • Depth range: In the shallows—likely under 20 ft (6 m); accessible to paddlers and shore-based explorers
  • Chart notation: Wreck is explicitly marked on nautical charts, suggesting awareness of its hazard and presence
  • Site usage: Popular among novice divers and kayakers exploring shallow‑water wrecks (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Blue Water Area CVB)

Archival & Research Details

  • Primary sources:
  • Potential archives to consult:
    • Saginaw Bay area newspapers (May 1901) for contemporary accounts or crew interviews
    • Lumber shipping manifests and master registry for ownership and vessel specs
    • U.S. Lighthouse Board or Coast Guard archives for charting and hazard reports

Significance & Site Attributes

  • Illustrates the high-risk nature of lumber transport in dense fog and shallow waters around Saginaw Bay
  • Wreck site offers accessible underwater and shoreline exploration for divers/kayakers
  • Worth noting for studies of scow‑schooner construction and regional maritime methodology

Research Opportunities & Next Steps

  • Archival: Locate vessel registration and ownership in Saginaw-area customs archives
  • Cartography: Review NOAA or Canadian chart revisions for wreck notations and hazard warnings
  • Fieldwork: Organize shallow-water survey (GPS logging, mapping of surviving frames) and identify remaining structural elements
  • Outreach: Collaborate with local historical societies or dive groups to document oral histories and preserve community knowledge

Conclusion

The Montmorency—a mid‑19th-century lumber scow‑schooner—met its end in May 1901 after fog-induced stranding near Big Charity Island. Though broken by storms, its remains remain charted and are accessible in shallow waters, making it valuable both for field study and public engagement in maritime heritage. Archival and cartographic research, combined with shallow-water surveys, can further enrich our understanding of this vessel and its role in Great Lakes lumber transport.

montmorency-1866 1901-05-19 14:42:00