Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Nightingale us 18123

Explore the wreck of the Nightingale, a wooden schooner that sank in 1869, now lying beneath the Spectacle Reef Light Station in Lake Huron.

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

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.