Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Northern Light
- Type: Wooden-hulled propeller steamer
- Year Built: 1858
- Builder: Lafrinier & Stevenson, Cleveland, Ohio
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Registered Tonnage: 744 gross tons (approx. 675 metric tonnes)
- Location: Lake Huron, Michigan
- Coordinates: Not specified
- Official Number: 18114
- Original Owners: Not specified
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Northern Light was a wooden-hulled propeller steamer, commonly referred to as a “package freighter.” These vessels were designed to transport both passengers and freight, playing a crucial role in the development of commerce and settlement around the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century.
Description
Built in 1858 by Lafrinier & Stevenson in Cleveland, Ohio, the Northern Light was a 744 gross ton (approx. 675 metric tonnes) wooden propeller steamer. While specific dimensions are not detailed in the available records, vessels of this type typically featured a single screw propeller powered by a steam engine, with accommodations for passengers and cargo. The Northern Light was part of a fleet that facilitated transportation and trade between major ports such as Cleveland and Lake Superior destinations.
History
The Northern Light served as a passenger and package freight steamer on the Cleveland-Lake Superior route, delivering people, manufactured goods, and supplies to burgeoning Lake Superior ports, and returning with passengers and cargos of copper and iron ore. In August 1881, the vessel met its demise under circumstances that remain somewhat unclear. Some reports suggest that the Northern Light caught fire and burned to a total loss while docked, while others indicate that it sank at its dock during a storm. Further complicating the narrative, an attempt to salvage the vessel using a tug reportedly failed, resulting in the wreck breaking apart.
Significant Incidents
- August 1881: The Northern Light was lost under uncertain circumstances, with reports of either a fire or sinking at dock during a storm.
Final Disposition
Following the incident in August 1881, the Northern Light was deemed a total loss. Efforts to salvage the vessel were unsuccessful, and the wreck ultimately broke apart during the recovery attempt. The remains of the Northern Light have not been conclusively located or documented in modern times.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of current records, there is no publicly available information indicating that the wreck of the Northern Light has been located or surveyed.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”northern-light-us-18114″ title=”References & Links”]
The Northern Light exemplifies the challenges and hazards faced by maritime vessels operating on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Despite its vital role in facilitating commerce and transportation, the vessel’s service was cut short under ambiguous circumstances. The lack of definitive information regarding its final moments underscores the need for continued research and exploration to fully understand and preserve the maritime history of the Great Lakes.
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.
- Name: Northern Light
- Former Names: None
- Official Registration Number: 18114
- Date Built & Launched: 1858
- Builder: Lafrinier & Stevenson, Cleveland, Ohio
- Construction: Wooden-hulled propeller steamer
- Tonnage: 744 gross tons (approx. 675 metric tonnes)
- Dimensions: Not specified
- Date Lost: August 1881
- Location of Loss: Lake Huron, Michigan
- Coordinates: Not specified
- Cargo at Time of Loss: None
- Cause of Loss: Uncertain; reports suggest either a fire or sinking at dock during a storm
- Crew: Not specified
- Final Disposition: Total loss
- Owner at Time of Loss: Not specified
- Sources: Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Great Lakes Shipwreck File(Manitou Islands Archives, Links to the Past, Reddit, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Vessel Type(Goderich)
The Northern Light was a wooden-hulled propeller steamer, commonly referred to as a “package freighter.” These vessels were designed to transport both passengers and freight, playing a crucial role in the development of commerce and settlement around the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century.(3DShipwrecks.org)
Description(Pixels)
Built in 1858 by Lafrinier & Stevenson in Cleveland, Ohio, the Northern Light was a 744 gross ton (approx. 675 metric tonnes) wooden propeller steamer. While specific dimensions are not detailed in the available records, vessels of this type typically featured a single screw propeller powered by a steam engine, with accommodations for passengers and cargo. The Northern Light was part of a fleet that facilitated transportation and trade between major ports such as Cleveland and Lake Superior destinations.(Manitou Islands Archives, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary)
History(Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary)
The Northern Light served as a passenger and package freight steamer on the Cleveland-Lake Superior route, delivering people, manufactured goods, and supplies to burgeoning Lake Superior ports, and returning with passengers and cargos of copper and iron ore. In August 1881, the vessel met its demise under circumstances that remain somewhat unclear. Some reports suggest that the Northern Light caught fire and burned to a total loss while docked, while others indicate that it sank at its dock during a storm. Further complicating the narrative, an attempt to salvage the vessel using a tug reportedly failed, resulting in the wreck breaking apart.(Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary)
Final Disposition
Following the incident in August 1881, the Northern Light was deemed a total loss. Efforts to salvage the vessel were unsuccessful, and the wreck ultimately broke apart during the recovery attempt. The remains of the Northern Light have not been conclusively located or documented in modern times.
Located By & Date Found
As of current records, there is no publicly available information indicating that the wreck of the Northern Light has been located or surveyed.
NOTMARs & Advisories
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories related to the Northern Light. Mariners operating in Lake Huron should consult the latest nautical charts and local notices for any updates.
Resources & Links
- Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary – Northern Light
- Great Lakes Shipwreck File – Vessel Names That Begin With N (PDF)(Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Manitou Islands Archives)
Conclusion(Manitou Islands Archives)
The Northern Light exemplifies the challenges and hazards faced by maritime vessels operating on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Despite its vital role in facilitating commerce and transportation, the vessel’s service was cut short under ambiguous circumstances. The lack of definitive information regarding its final moments underscores the need for continued research and exploration to fully understand and preserve the maritime history of the Great Lakes.
Suggested Keywords & Categories(Reddit)
Keywords: Northern Light, propeller steamer, Lake Huron shipwreck, 1881 fire, Great Lakes maritime history(Alchem Incorporated)
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Huron, Great Lakes Maritime History, 19th-Century Vessels, Propeller Steamers
Glossary Terms:
- Propeller Steamer: A steam-powered vessel propelled by a screw propeller, commonly used in the 19th century for transporting passengers and cargo.
- Package Freight: Goods that are packaged and transported together, often including a variety of items shipped in one consignment.
- Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: A federally designated area in Lake Huron that protects a significant collection of shipwrecks and maritime heritage resources.
- NOTMARs (Notices to Mariners): Official communications issued to inform mariners of important matters affecting navigational safety.