Myrtle Camp – Lake Michigan Schooner Shipwreck (1894)

Explore the remains of the Myrtle Camp, a wooden schooner lost in a gale in 1894, now likely in deteriorated fragments along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Myrtle Camp
  • Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
  • Year Built: circa 1892
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: 68 ft (20.73 m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: ~48 GRT
  • Location: Approximately 1.5 miles north of Ingallsport (Ingallston), MI
  • Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Myrtle Camp was a wooden two-masted schooner, primarily used for cargo transport.

Description

Built around 1892, the Myrtle Camp was engaged in the trade of salt and empty barrels. The vessel measured approximately 68 feet in length and had a registered tonnage of about 48 gross tons.

History

The Myrtle Camp was listed in Great Lakes vessel registers, with no operational records past 1911. It was referenced in meteorological hazard records, indicating its involvement in significant weather events.

Significant Incidents

  • Date of loss: May 18, 1894
  • Location: Approximately 1.5 miles north of Ingallsport (Ingallston), MI, Lake Michigan
  • Cause: Driven ashore during a severe spring gale
  • Situation: Blown inland and grounded approximately 500 feet from deeper water; tugs were unable to reach her, leading to her being driven completely ashore.
  • Outcome: Vessel abandoned and likely wrecked; no reports of casualties or salvage.

Final Disposition

The Myrtle Camp was abandoned and wrecked onshore, with its hull likely broken up by wave action. The current status is presumed heavily deteriorated, with submerged portions possibly existing during high water events.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Today, the wreck of the Myrtle Camp is likely in deteriorated fragments along the high-water mark, with potential remains buried along the shoreline north of Ingallsport.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”myrtle-camp-1892″ title=”References & Links”]

The Myrtle Camp serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes, particularly during severe weather conditions. Further research may uncover more about her crew and the circumstances surrounding her loss.

🔒

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

Join Shotline to read more →