Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Nightingale
- Type: Wooden, two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder: Shaler, Conneaut, Ohio
- Dimensions: 138 ft (42.06 m) × 29.5 ft (9 m) × 11.3 ft (3.44 m)
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Spectacle Reef, Straits of Mackinac
- Official Number: 18123
- Original Owners: Erie, Pennsylvania
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Nightingale is classified as a wooden, two-masted schooner, a common vessel type in the 19th century used for cargo transport across the Great Lakes.
Description
The Nightingale was built in 1856 and measured approximately 138 feet in length, 29.5 feet in beam, and 11.3 feet in depth. It was primarily used for transporting iron ore.
History
On September 18, 1869, during a severe storm, the Nightingale struck the Spectacle Reef shoal, resulting in significant hull damage and subsequent sinking. The wreck site is notable as it is the future location of the Spectacle Reef Light Station.
Significant Incidents
- On September 18, 1869, amid a severe storm, Nightingale struck the Spectacle Reef shoal, tearing open her hull, and sank in the exact location where the lighthouse would later be constructed.
- The vessel foundered on the unmarked reef; hull remnants and cargo were later removed in 1872 to prepare for lighthouse construction.
- No loss of life reported—crew survived.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Nightingale lies beneath the structure of the Spectacle Reef Light Station. Despite removal efforts, submerged timber may remain. Direct examination of the site would require coordination with U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA protocols.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is covered by the lighthouse’s construction superstructure. The structure is part of the Spectacle Reef Light Station, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”nightingale-us-18123″ title=”References & Links”]
The Nightingale serves as a significant historical vessel, illustrating the maritime challenges of the 19th century and the importance of navigational aids like lighthouses in preventing similar tragedies.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Nightingale
- Official No.: 18123
- Built: 1856 at Shaler, Conneaut, Ohio
- Type: Wooden, two-masted schooner, ~138 ft × 29.5 ft × 11.3 ft
- Homeport: Erie, Pennsylvania
- Final Voyage: Carrying iron ore bound from Milwaukee to Oswego
- Last Position: Ran aground on Spectacle Reef, Straits of Mackinac — the future site of Spectacle Reef Light
Incident & Loss
- On September 18, 1869, amid a severe storm, Nightingale struck the Spectacle Reef shoal, tearing open her hull, and sank in the exact location where the lighthouse would later be constructed (Spectacle Reef Light Station, 3DShipwrecks.org, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- The vessel foundered on the unmarked reef; hull remnants and cargo were later removed in 1872 to prepare for lighthouse construction (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- No loss of life reported—crew survived.
Wreck & Archaeological Status
- Site Condition: The wreck lies under what became the lighthouse crib. Despite removal efforts, submerged timber may remain.
- Survey Access: The lighthouse’s construction superstructure now covers the wreck site directly. Any direct examination would require coordination with U.S. Coast Guard and NOAA protocols.
- Protection: The structure is part of the Spectacle Reef Light Station, listed on the National Register of Historic Places (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Spectacle Reef Light Station).
Historical & Research Gaps
- Construction & Technical Details: Builder’s plans and registration are archived under U.S. Customs or maritime registries.
- Crew Data: No crew lists found; enrollment records may list crew complement and officers.
- Cargo Handling: Iron ore quantities and hatch arrangement potentially documented in cargo manifests.
- Storm Conditions: Weather logs from early fall 1869 would clarify conditions leading to the wreck.
- Removal Process: Official logs on 1872 wreck clearance ahead of lighthouse construction may detail tools, personnel, and recovered materials.
Next Steps for Research & Study
- Retrieve enrollment records and crew lists from National Archives (Detroit or Buffalo districts).
- Locate weather reports and shipping dispatches for September 1869.
- Access USLHS and Army Corps files on Spectacle Reef lighthouse construction and wreck clearance.
- Conduct a remote sensing survey around the lighthouse crib to detect buried wreck remnants—requires interagency coordination.
- Seek collaboration with NOAA’s Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Mackinac Historic Light Station Preservation Society for archival and site access.
Significance
- Nightingale is a pivotal vessel in lighthouse history: its loss highlighted the necessity of marking Spectacle Reef, directly influencing the 1870s lighthouse project.
- The wreck provides a unique archaeological intersection—lying beneath a historic lighthouse, it offers insight into 19th-century wooden schooner design and the technical challenges of underwater timber salvage to enable lighthouse construction.