Racer (1856)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Racer
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Year Built: 1856
• Builder: Buffalo, New York
• Dimensions: Gross Tonnage 377 tons
• Registered Tonnage: 377 tons
• Location: Hammond Bay, Lake Huron
• Original Owners: J.M. Lundy and Capt. Gilbert Hearns, Cleveland, Ohio

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The schooner RACER was a wooden sailing vessel commonly used for carrying bulk cargoes across the Great Lakes, including iron ore, coal, and grain. With a B1 rating, the RACER was built to withstand the demanding conditions of these waters, characterized by sudden storms and unpredictable winds. Schooners like the RACER were vital to 19th-century maritime commerce, often transporting goods essential for the burgeoning industrial economy of the region.

Description

Built in Buffalo, New York, in 1856, the RACER served as a reliable cargo carrier for over a decade. Owned by J.M. Lundy and Captain Gilbert Hearns, the vessel operated out of Cleveland, Ohio, engaging in trade routes across the Great Lakes. In 1869, the schooner was loaded with iron ore in Marquette, Michigan, destined for markets further along Lake Huron.

History

Tragically, during this voyage, the RACER encountered difficulties and ran aground in Hammond Bay, a site infamous for grounding ships due to its shallow waters and hidden shoals. Despite attempts to salvage the vessel, it was declared a total loss. The schooner NELLIE GARDNER salvaged the RACER’s anchor and chain, but the ship itself was abandoned to the elements.

Significant Incidents

• The RACER was lost in 1869, with no recorded loss of life.
• It ran aground in Hammond Bay, where it was declared a total loss.

Final Disposition

The RACER was lost in 1869, with no recorded loss of life. Its remains were left in Hammond Bay, where they likely deteriorated rapidly due to exposure to waves, weather, and time. No further recovery efforts were documented, and the exact location of the wreck remains undetermined. Over the years, shifting sands and sediment may have obscured or buried the wreck.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The RACER’s remains, if present, are likely in a fragmented and deteriorated state, buried beneath sand or scattered across the bay floor. This uncertainty, combined with the lack of definitive wreck site documentation, makes the RACER a challenging subject for divers and researchers.

Resources & Links

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The story of the schooner RACER serves as a poignant reminder of the perilous nature of maritime navigation on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. While the ship contributed to the growth of the regional economy during its years of service, its tragic end underscores the challenges sailors faced in this unforgiving environment. Though the RACER’s final resting place remains elusive, its legacy endures as part of the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history.