N.C. West – St. Lawrence River Schooner Shipwreck (1898)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: N.C. WEST
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Year Built: 1867
• Builder: D. Donaldson, Fremont, Ohio
• Dimensions: Length: 103.6 ft (31.6 m); Beam: 25.5 ft (7.8 m); Depth of hold: 7.4 ft (2.3 m)
• Registered Tonnage: Gross: 145.23 tons; Net: 137 tons
• Location: Southeast bend of the St. Clair River, Michigan
• Official Number: 18356
• Original Owners: M.A. Skinner (initially) and later West et al., Fremont, Ohio
• Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The N.C. WEST was a wooden-hulled, two-masted schooner designed primarily for cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Schooners of this type were vital to 19th-century commerce, carrying goods such as lumber, coal, and grain. Its dimensions and gross tonnage made it a midsize schooner, capable of operating efficiently on the region’s waterways.

Description

The N.C. WEST was built in 1867 by D. Donaldson in Fremont, Ohio, and entered service under the ownership of M.A. Skinner. It was part of a fleet of schooners that supported the economic boom of the Great Lakes region, transporting vital materials between ports.

History

Notable Incidents

• 1874: The vessel stranded at Long Point, Ontario, due to poor visibility while en route from Buffalo, New York, to Cleveland, Ohio. The schooner was repaired and returned to service.
• 1876: Ownership transferred to West et al., Fremont, Ohio.
• 1878: Repairs were conducted to extend its operational life.
• 1898: In its final year, the vessel was towed by the steamer WALLULA, reflecting its reduced independent operational capacity.

Significant Incidents

Sinking

On November 9, 1898, the N.C. WEST collided with the steamer SACRAMENTO at the southeast bend of the St. Clair River. The collision caused the schooner to sink. While no information is provided on casualties, such incidents often involved the loss of cargo and significant damage to vessels.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the N.C. WEST remained in the St. Clair River until it was removed in 1941. Its removal suggests it posed a hazard to navigation in the busy waterway.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As the wreck was entirely removed in 1941, no remnants are believed to remain at the original site. The schooner’s story now exists through historical records and maritime archives.

Resources & Links

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The N.C. WEST exemplifies the era of wooden schooners that were essential to the development of Great Lakes commerce. Its sinking and eventual removal reflect the challenges of navigating the region’s busy and often hazardous waterways. The vessel’s history of repairs and ownership changes demonstrates the economic and operational demands placed on schooners of its kind.