Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Newburyport
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1829
- Builder: Likely in Massachusetts or a Great Lakes shipyard
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Typical 1820s schooners ranged from 50–150 tons
- Location: Most likely Lake Huron or Lake Michigan
- Number of Masts: Two-masted fore-and-aft schooner
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Newburyport was a wooden schooner, a common vessel type in the 1820s used for freight and passenger transport. It featured a two-masted fore-and-aft rigging, typical of the era.
Description
While specific dimensions and tonnage records for the Newburyport are not available, typical schooners of the 1820s ranged from 60 to 90 feet in length and had a tonnage of 50 to 150 tons. The construction likely utilized white oak or pine planking.
History
The 1820s and 1830s saw an increase in schooner use on the Great Lakes, particularly on Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The October storm season was notorious for causing strandings on shoals and sandbars, contributing to the loss of vessels like the Newburyport.
Significant Incidents
- Lost in October 1834 due to stranding, with the official log entry stating: “Stranded and lost, October 1834.”
- No specific details on weather conditions or cargo were recorded, although a storm is suspected.
- Precise coordinates, ownership, master, and cargo details remain unknown.
Final Disposition
The Newburyport is considered one of the earliest and least-documented casualties in the Great Lakes. The lack of archival records is typical for small schooners of this period.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Due to the absence of specific location data, the current condition of the wreck remains unknown. Further research is needed to identify potential dive sites.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”newburyport-1829″ title=”References & Links”]
To uncover the full story of the Newburyport, extensive archival research is necessary, including investigations into early port books, regional newspapers, and maritime logs from the 1830s.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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