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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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