Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Moses Gage
- Type: Two-masted wooden cargo schooner
- Year Built: 1886
- Builder: Michigan
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Near Michigan City, Indiana
- Official Number: 50563
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Moses Gage was a two-masted wooden cargo schooner primarily employed in the lumber trade on Lake Michigan.
Description
Built in 1886, the Moses Gage was designed for transporting lumber. The vessel was lost during a severe storm on May 18, 1894, when it became stranded and subsequently destroyed by wave action.
History
The Moses Gage was engaged in the lumber trade, a common industry in the Great Lakes region during the late 19th century. Its final voyage occurred in May 1894, carrying a typical spring seasonal freight of lumber.
Significant Incidents
- Last Voyage Date: 18 May 1894
- Cargo: Lumber
- Cause of Loss: Caught in a gale while navigating Lake Michigan, the vessel stranded near Michigan City and was pounded to pieces onshore.
- Casualties: No loss of life recorded; crew survived and reached shore, where they were rescued by the U.S. Lifesaving Service.
Final Disposition
The Moses Gage was declared a total loss, with the wreck destroyed by wave action and subsequent breakup on rocks and sand shoals. No salvage of the hull was reported.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Moses Gage is not known to have been salvaged or rediscovered, and its current condition remains unknown.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”moses-gage-us-50563″ title=”References & Links”]
The Moses Gage, a Michigan-built schooner, met its end on May 18, 1894, during a spring gale. Stripped of steering and lost to wind-driven waves, it grounded near Michigan City while laden with lumber. Fortunately, all crew survived, rescued from floating debris by the U.S. Lifesaving Service. The ship was completely lost, with no known salvage or archaeological rediscovery to date.
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.
(built 1886 – lost 18 May 1894)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Moses Gage
- Official Registry Number: 50563
- Built: 1886 in Michigan (wooden schooner)
- Vessel Type: Two‑masted wooden cargo schooner, employed in the lumber trade on Lake Michigan
Final Voyage & Loss
- Last Voyage Date: 18 May 1894
- Cargo: Lumber — typical spring seasonal freight
- Cause of Loss: Caught in a gale while navigating Lake Michigan, the vessel stranded near Michigan City and was pounded to pieces onshore.
- Casualties: No loss of life recorded — crew survived and reached shore, where they were rescued by the U.S. Lifesaving Service from shore stations (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, idnc.library.illinois.edu).
Final Disposition
- Declared a total loss; wreck destroyed by wave action and subsequent breakup on rocks/sand shoal
- No salvage of the hull reported
Archival & Historical Context
- An entry in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files details the final voyage date (May 18, 1894), cargo (lumber), cause (storm), and outcome (sank, crew rescued) with Official No. 50563 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- Contemporary newspaper coverage confirms the Moses Gage was wrecked ashore near Michigan City in heavy seas, part of a spring storm affecting the lumber fleet; crew reportedly reached land clinging to drifting lumber before rescue (idnc.library.illinois.edu).
Summary Table
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Moses Gage |
| Official No. | 50563 |
| Built Year / Type | 1886, wooden cargo schooner for lumber trade |
| Loss Date | 18 May 1894 |
| Cargo | Lumber |
| Cause of Loss | Gale-force storm → stranded ashore → hull breakup |
| Casualties | None |
| Rescue | Crew reached shore; rescued by U.S. Lifesaving Station |
| Disposition | Wreck destroyed; not salvaged |
Research Gaps & Suggestions
Remaining uncertainties and possible avenues to enrich the profile:
- Builder, dimensions, ownership, and operational history prior to loss
- Crew roster, particularly the identity of any survivors
- Local newspaper records (e.g. Michigan City News‑Dispatch) from May 1894 for eyewitness and logistical details
- Lifeboat or U.S. Lifesaving Service station logs for personnel and rescue accounts
- Insurance claims or underwriters’ files for financial valuations
Conclusion
The Moses Gage, a Michigan-built lugger-type schooner launched in 1886, met her end on 18 May 1894 during a spring gale. Stripped of steering or lost to wind-driven waves, she grounded near Michigan City while laden with lumber. The vessel was destroyed by wave action. Fortunately, all crew survived, rescued from floating debris by the U.S. Lifesaving Service. The ship was completely lost, with no known salvage or archaeological rediscovery to date.
moses-gage-us-50563 1894-05-18 15:28:00