Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Oneida Chief
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage: 425 tons
- Location: Sauble Point, Lake Michigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The ONEIDA CHIEF was a schooner, a common type of sailing vessel on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Schooners like the ONEIDA CHIEF were primarily used for transporting bulk goods such as iron ore, coal, and grain, essential to the thriving industries of the Great Lakes region.
Description
The ONEIDA CHIEF was en route from Marquette, Michigan, to Erie, Pennsylvania, carrying a full load of 425 tons of iron ore. On the morning of June 6, 1868, the vessel ran aground at Sauble Point, a treacherous location on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.
Despite efforts to save the vessel, the schooner broke in two under the relentless force of the waves. The damage was catastrophic, leading to the vessel being wrecked and abandoned. The ship’s loss was reported in the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser just days later, marking another casualty in the hazardous maritime trade on the Great Lakes.
History
The wreck of the ONEIDA CHIEF remains at Sauble Point, though its exact location and condition are not specified in available records. The vessel’s cargo and any salvageable materials were likely removed following the abandonment.
Significant Incidents
- The ONEIDA CHIEF ran aground at Sauble Point on June 6, 1868.
- The vessel broke in two due to wave action, leading to its abandonment.
- The loss was reported in the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser shortly after the incident.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the ONEIDA CHIEF remains at Sauble Point, though its exact location and condition are not specified in available records. The vessel’s cargo and any salvageable materials were likely removed following the abandonment.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Diving Suitability: Without precise coordinates or detailed surveys, the wreck’s location may not currently be accessible for diving or exploration.
Historical Preservation: Further investigation could reveal more about the site and its condition, offering valuable insights into 19th-century ship construction and cargo transport.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”oneida-chief” title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the ONEIDA CHIEF in 1868 at Sauble Point adds to the storied maritime history of Lake Michigan. Though little remains known about the wreck’s current state, the tragedy serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by Great Lakes sailors and the critical role these vessels played in supporting the region’s industrial growth. Efforts to locate and document the wreck could help preserve its legacy for future generations.
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.
Wreck Report: ONEIDA CHIEF
Identification & Site Information
- Vessel Name: ONEIDA CHIEF
- Vessel Type: Schooner
- Date of Sinking: June 6, 1868
- Location: Sauble Point, Lake Michigan
- Cargo: 425 tons of iron ore
- Condition: Broken in two; abandoned at the wreck site.
Vessel Type Description
The ONEIDA CHIEF was a schooner, a common type of sailing vessel on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Schooners like the ONEIDA CHIEF were primarily used for transporting bulk goods such as iron ore, coal, and grain, essential to the thriving industries of the Great Lakes region.
History
The ONEIDA CHIEF was en route from Marquette, Michigan, to Erie, Pennsylvania, carrying a full load of 425 tons of iron ore. On the morning of June 6, 1868, the vessel ran aground at Sauble Point, a treacherous location on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan.
Despite efforts to save the vessel, the schooner broke in two under the relentless force of the waves. The damage was catastrophic, leading to the vessel being wrecked and abandoned. The ship’s loss was reported in the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser just days later, marking another casualty in the hazardous maritime trade on the Great Lakes.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the ONEIDA CHIEF remains at Sauble Point, though its exact location and condition are not specified in available records. The vessel’s cargo and any salvageable materials were likely removed following the abandonment.
Significance
The wreck of the ONEIDA CHIEF is a testament to the risks of 19th-century Great Lakes shipping, particularly for vessels carrying heavy cargoes like iron ore. Sauble Point, known for its dangerous shoals, has been the site of numerous maritime incidents, and the ONEIDA CHIEF’s loss is emblematic of the challenges faced by mariners of the era.
Cautions & Advisories
Diving Suitability: Without precise coordinates or detailed surveys, the wreck’s location may not currently be accessible for diving or exploration.
Historical Preservation: Further investigation could reveal more about the site and its condition, offering valuable insights into 19th-century ship construction and cargo transport.
Sources
- Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, June 8, 1868, Page 3, Column 3.
- ONEIDA CHIEF
- Lake Michigan Wrecks
- Schooner
- Iron Ore Transport
- 19th-Century Maritime History
Conclusion
The loss of the ONEIDA CHIEF in 1868 at Sauble Point adds to the storied maritime history of Lake Michigan. Though little remains known about the wreck’s current state, the tragedy serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by Great Lakes sailors and the critical role these vessels played in supporting the region’s industrial growth. Efforts to locate and document the wreck could help preserve its legacy for future generations.
unknown-shipwreck-23092 1868-06-06 07:53:00