Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Point Abino
- Type: Wooden propeller-driven bulk freight vessel
- Year Built: 1872
- Builder: Buffalo, New York
- Dimensions: Length 112 ft (34.1 m); Beam 24 ft (7.3 m); Depth 8 ft (2.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 204 gross tons (approx. 185 metric tonnes)
- Location: St. Clair Flats Canal, Lake St. Clair
- Official Number: 150103
- Original Owners: Captain S. H. Burnham of Port Huron
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Point Abino was a wooden propeller-driven bulk freight vessel, colloquially referred to as a “rabbit” on the Great Lakes. These vessels were designed for the transportation of bulk commodities and were characterized by their relatively small size and utilitarian construction, making them suitable for navigating the shallow and narrow waterways common in the Great Lakes region.
Description
Constructed in 1872 in Buffalo, New York, the Point Abino measured 112 feet (34.1 metres) in length, with a beam of 24 feet (7.3 metres) and a depth of 8 feet (2.4 metres). With a gross tonnage of 204 (approx. 185 metric tonnes), she was built to serve the burgeoning bulk freight industry on the Great Lakes, transporting commodities such as sugar beets, which were a significant agricultural product in the region during that period.
History
Throughout her operational life, the Point Abino was engaged in the transportation of bulk goods across the Great Lakes. On November 14, 1905, while navigating the St. Clair Flats Canal on Lake St. Clair, she became stranded. The vessel was deemed too old and worn out to warrant salvage efforts. The crew was safely evacuated by the Canadian tug Dragon. Shortly after the stranding, a storm further damaged the vessel, breaking her up and leaving her wreckage near that of the N. Mills. At the time of her loss, the Point Abino was owned and operated by Captain S. H. Burnham of Port Huron.
Significant Incidents
- Stranded on November 14, 1905, in the St. Clair Flats Canal.
- All crew members were safely evacuated by the Canadian tug Dragon.
- Subsequent storm damage led to the wreck being largely broken up.
Final Disposition
Following the stranding and subsequent storm damage, the Point Abino was not recovered. Her remains were left in situ near the wreck of the N. Mills, contributing to the maritime history and underwater archaeological landscape of the St. Clair Flats Canal area.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of current records, there is no publicly available information indicating that the wreck of the Point Abino has been located or surveyed.
Resources & Links
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The Point Abino serves as a representative example of the numerous utilitarian vessels that operated on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her loss in 1905 underscores the challenges faced by such vessels, including aging infrastructure and the hazards of navigating the complex waterways of the Great Lakes. While the wreck has not been located, the story of the Point Abino contributes to the rich tapestry of maritime history in the region.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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