Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: O.T. Wilcox
- Type: Scow-Schooner
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: J. Tupper, Toledo, OH
- Dimensions: ~69 × 18 × 5 ft; approx. 47 GRT
- Registered Tonnage: 47 GRT
- Location: Near Port Crescent, Saginaw Bay
- Official Number: 53087
- Number of Masts: Initially unrigged, later rigged as a scow-schooner
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Initially a wood barge (unrigged) built in Toledo, later rigged as a scow-schooner by 1871.
Description
The O.T. Wilcox was a scow-schooner built in 1867, measuring approximately 69 feet in length, 18 feet in beam, and 5 feet in depth. It was primarily used for local bulk freight, likely transporting materials such as plaster, stone, or general cargo in Huron or Saginaw Bays.
History
The vessel was built by J. Tupper in Toledo, Ohio, and underwent a conversion from an unrigged barge to a rigged scow-schooner by 1871. It served in the local trade, contributing to the economy of the region.
Significant Incidents
- May 20, 1883: The O.T. Wilcox was driven ashore by a storm near Port Crescent, Saginaw Bay, resulting in its total loss.
Final Disposition
The wreck was reported as a total loss in contemporary newspapers and documented in Port Huron enrollment records surrendered on December 15, 1883, annotated simply as “wrecked.” No subsequent records indicate salvage efforts or the location of the remains.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of the last records, the wreck site has not been located, and no documentation exists regarding its current condition or accessibility for divers.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”o-t-wilcox-us-53087″ title=”References & Links”]
The O.T. Wilcox represents the conversion trends of older barges to rigged vessels in the post-Civil War era and highlights the dangers faced by small, working ships during storms in Saginaw Bay.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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