Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Otsego
- Type: Wooden-hulled two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1882
- Builder: R. Gagne, Au Sable, Michigan
- Dimensions: 50 × 14 × 5 ft; 24 GRT, 22 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 24 GRT, 22 NRT
- Location: Port Austin, Michigan
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Otsego was a wooden-hulled, two-masted schooner, designed for coastal trade on the Great Lakes.
Description
Built in 1882 by R. Gagne in Au Sable, Michigan, the Otsego measured 50 feet in length, 14 feet in beam, and had a depth of 5 feet. She was registered at 24 gross tons (GRT) and 22 net tons (NRT).
History
The Otsego served in the Great Lakes trade for four years before her loss. Her last voyage occurred on November 1, 1886, when she was caught in a severe storm near Port Austin, Michigan.
Significant Incidents
- The Otsego was overwhelmed by a storm on November 1, 1886, leading to her sinking and total loss.
Final Disposition
The Otsego was declared a total loss after the storm. No casualties were reported during the incident.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck likely lies in shallow coastal waters near Port Austin, with broken hull timbers, deck hardware, and rigging debris present. There are no known modern dive or sonar surveys of the site, and it is not marked by navigation warnings or buoys.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”otsego-1882″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Otsego highlights the dangers faced by wooden schooners in the late 19th century. Surveying her remains could provide valuable insights into the construction and maritime practices of the era.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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