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.
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.
Scow-Schooner O.T. Wilcox (built 1867 – lost May 20, 1883)
Identity & Vessel Details
- Official Number: 53087
- Type: Initially a wood barge (unrigged) built in Toledo, later rigged as a scow‑schooner by 1871
- Built: 1867, J. Tupper, Toledo, OH
- Dimensions: ~69 × 18 × 5 ft; approx. 47 GRT
- Trade: Likely used for local bulk freight—such as plaster, stone, or general cargo in Huron or Saginaw Bays
Final Voyage & Loss – May 20, 1883
- Incident: Driven ashore by a storm near Port Crescent, Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron
- Outcome: Reported wrecked per contemporary newspapers—documented as a total loss in Port Huron enrollment records surrendered December 15, 1883, annotated simply “wrecked”
- Casualties: None reported
Wreck & Documentation
- The vessel’s final official status was noted in December 1883—indicating the wreck occurred earlier that year and was deemed irrecoverable
- Newspaper sources provided storm-related loss reports, but offered few additional details
- No subsequent archival records document salvage efforts or location of the remains
Historical & Maritime Significance
- Represents conversion trends of older barges to rigged vessels in the post–Civil War era
- Embodies typical low-visibility losses among small, working ships—valuable for understanding the scale and nature of non-major shipwrecks
- Highlights the dangers of May storms in Saginaw Bay for lightly built, shallow-draft vessels
Research & Survey Opportunities
| Focus Area | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Press Archives | Search Port Huron Times, Saginaw Courier, and other local press May–June 1883 for storm damage, grounding notes, or any mention of cargo loss |
| Enrollment Records | Obtain the December 15, 1883 enrollment surrender from Port Huron to confirm tonnage, ownership, master, and cargo details |
| Maritime Logs & Weather | Check U.S. Lighthouse and Coast Guard storm logs for that date to corroborate weather conditions and location |
| Wreck-Site Survey | Conduct targeted side-scan surveys near Port Crescent to detect any remnants—though light scow wrecks may be heavily fragmented or buried |
| Maritime Archaeology | If anomalies are detected, shallow dive surveys may reveal timber sections or fastenings for documentation |
Summary Table
| Feature | Data |
|---|---|
| Name | O.T. Wilcox |
| Built | 1867, Toledo; scow-schooner (~47 GRT) |
| Lost | May 20, 1883 – storm grounding near Port Crescent; total loss |
| Casualties | None |
| Documentation | Wrecked annotation on Dec 15, 1883 Port Huron surrender |
| Significance | Illustrates small vessel risks during Bay storms; typical of under‑documented craft from the era |