Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

R. T. Lambert (1873)

Explore the wreck of the R. T. Lambert, a nearly-new wooden vessel lost in a storm near Pointe Aux Barques in 1873.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: R. T. Lambert
  • Type: Wooden craft (likely sloop or schooner variant)
  • Year Built:
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Location: Near Pointe Aux Barques, Michigan

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Classified as a small- to mid-sized wooden sailing vessel—likely sloop- or schooner-rigged.

Was nearly “brand new” in 1873 when wrecked, indicating recent build/launch. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Description

The R. T. Lambert was a wooden craft that likely operated as a sloop or schooner. Its construction details remain elusive, but it was noted to be nearly new at the time of its loss.

History

Sparse archival data; known only from a wreck report stating it struck near Pointe Aux Barques and was declared a total loss in a storm.

No noted cargo, ownership information, or crew data currently available. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Significant Incidents

  • October 1873: The R. T. Lambert was lost during a storm near Pointe Aux Barques, Michigan.
  • Declared a total loss with no survivors reported.

Final Disposition

Wreck deemed a total loss; no evidence of salvage or recovery noted.

Likely location: rocky nearshore near Pointe Aux Barques lighthouse.

No records of archaeological investigation or divers’ reports—remains probably buried in shifting sediment and rubble.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The current condition of the wreck is unknown, with no documented surveys or investigations conducted at the site.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”r-t-lambert-1873″ title=”References & Links”]

R. T. Lambert remains an obscure ephemeral wreck of the Great Lakes: a nearly-new vessel lost in late-1873 near Pointe Aux Barques during a storm, declared a total loss with minimal public record. The complete absence of build, ownership, or crew data highlights a significant historical gap. Robust archival and field research—enrollment documents, insurance files, newspaper accounts, and shoreline surveys—could unlock the full story behind this overlooked wreck.

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.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Built: (Year and yard not yet located)
  • Type: Wooden craft (likely sloop or schooner variant)
  • Loss Location: Near Pointe Aux Barques (Michigan), Lake Huron
  • Loss Date: October 1873 (by a storm, presumed)
  • Loss Type: Total wreck (wrecked on shore, no survivors lost) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Vessel Type & Description

  • Classified as a small- to mid-sized wooden sailing vessel—likely sloop- or schooner-rigged.
  • Was nearly “brand new” in 1873 when wrecked, indicating recent build/launch. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

History & Incident Chronology

  • Sparse archival data; known only from a wreck report stating it struck near Pointe Aux Barques and was declared a total loss in a storm.
  • No noted cargo, ownership information, or crew data currently available. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Final Disposition & Site Status

  • Wreck deemed a total loss; no evidence of salvage or recovery noted.
  • Likely location: rocky nearshore near Pointe Aux Barques lighthouse.
  • No records of archaeological investigation or divers’ reports—remains probably buried in shifting sediment and rubble.

Research Gaps & Next Steps

  • Vessel build & registration: Investigate merchant shipping registers (1860s–1873) to find R. T. Lambert’s construction and ownership documentation.
  • Ownership records: Check U.S. Enrollment logs (NARA RG 26) and Port Austin vessel ledgers.
  • Newspaper archives: Review Michigan/detroit-area newspapers (1873) for storm reports, wreck notices, or marine casualty listings.
  • Insurance or salvage records: Local underwriter documentation may confirm the wreck and any attempted recoveries.
  • Mapping & remote sensing: Conduct shoreline/nearshore surveys off Pointe Aux Barques to locate timber debris or hull fragments.

Conclusion

R. T. Lambert remains an obscure ephemeral wreck of the Great Lakes: a nearly-new vessel lost in late-1873 near Pointe Aux Barques during a storm, declared a total loss with minimal public record. The complete absence of build, ownership, or crew data highlights a significant historical gap. Robust archival and field research—enrollment documents, insurance files, newspaper accounts, and shoreline surveys—could unlock the full story behind this overlooked wreck.

Keywords

1873 storm loss; Pointe Aux Barques; wooden sloop/schooner; shipwreck survey required

r-t-lambert-1873 1873-10-19 00:16:00