Portland US 19623

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: PORTLAND
• Type: Schooner
• Year Built: 1856
• Builder:
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 345.29 tons
• Location: Near Presque Isle
• Coordinates: N45°14.859′ W83°24.448′

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The PORTLAND was a wooden-hulled schooner, a common type of sailing vessel used on the Great Lakes during the mid-to-late 19th century. Designed for transporting bulk goods, schooners like the PORTLAND were built to navigate the often unpredictable weather of the Great Lakes, though they were vulnerable to the fierce gales that plagued the region.

Description

The schooner PORTLAND, constructed in 1856, served on the Great Lakes for over two decades. On a fateful day in October 1877, the vessel was caught in a severe gale on Lake Huron, forcing it aground near Presque Isle. Despite efforts to save the ship, including salvage attempts using the wrecking tug PRINDEVILLE and the lighter D. PROVOST, the vessel could not be recovered. Both the tug and lighter themselves succumbed to the storm and went ashore.

History

The wrecking tug PRINDEVILLE was deemed likely to be a total loss, while the lighter D. PROVOST suffered unknown levels of damage. The PORTLAND, battered by the relentless storm, was abandoned as a total loss. However, the schooner NELLIE GARDNER later salvaged the anchor and chain from the wreck of the PORTLAND, recovering some value from the disaster.

Significant Incidents

• Date of Loss: October 1877
• Cause: Grounded during a heavy gale
• Outcome: Declared a total loss and abandoned after unsuccessful salvage attempts.

Final Disposition

The PORTLAND was left to deteriorate, its remains contributing to the legacy of shipwrecks on the Great Lakes.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Given the age of the wreck and the abandonment of the PORTLAND shortly after its loss, the remains are likely heavily deteriorated. No specific diving or archaeological exploration of the wreck has been recorded, making the current state and exact location of the site unclear.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”portland-us-19623″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The wreck of the schooner PORTLAND near Presque Isle, Lake Huron, is a stark reminder of the vulnerability of sailing vessels to the treacherous gales of the Great Lakes. Despite the heroic efforts of salvage crews, the storm claimed not only the PORTLAND but also the wrecking tug PRINDEVILLE and the lighter D. PROVOST. The recovery of the anchor and chain by the NELLIE GARDNER marks the final chapter in the schooner’s story, leaving the wreck to rest as part of the lake’s storied maritime heritage.