Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Rebecca
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1853
- Builder: Gilmore, Toledo, Ohio
- Dimensions: ~112 × 23 × 10 ft; 193 tons
- Registered Tonnage: 193 tons
- Location: Near Alabaster, Michigan
- Official Number: 21141
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Rebecca is classified as a two-masted wooden schooner, a common vessel type for cargo and transport on the Great Lakes during the 19th century.
Description
Built in 1853 by Gilmore in Toledo, Ohio, the Rebecca measured approximately 112 feet in length, 23 feet in beam, and had a hold depth of 10 feet. She was registered at 193 tons.
History
In September 1872, Rebecca encountered a storm on Lake Huron near Alabaster, Michigan. During this storm, she was being towed south by a tugboat when a gale tore her loose, resulting in her being hurled ashore. Although no injuries to the crew were reported, the vessel was believed to be a total loss. Earlier in her career, she had stranded near Detour Passage in 186?, but was recovered and refloated.
Significant Incidents
- Stranded near Detour Passage in 186? but was recovered.
- Caught in a storm in September 1872, leading to her being towed ashore and believed to be a total loss.
Final Disposition
Despite being initially reported as a complete loss, two Bay City captains purchased and salvaged Rebecca in 1873, returning her to service. She remained listed in registries through the 1880s, finally disappearing from official records by 1883, indicating scrapping or another unrecorded loss. The wreck near Alabaster likely left timbers and hardware beached or submerged in shallow coastal areas.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is uncertain, but it is believed that remnants may still be present near Alabaster, Michigan, where the vessel was lost.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”rebecca-us-21141″ title=”References & Links”]
The Rebecca’s multiple incidents highlight the challenges of early towing operations and coastal navigation on Lake Huron. As a vessel that was both lost and recovered, she provides insight into mid-19th-century salvage practices and the economic resilience of Great Lakes maritime communities.
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
- Name: Rebecca
- Built: 1853 by Gilmore, Toledo, Ohio
- Type: Two‑masted wooden schooner
- Official Number: 21141
- Dimensions: ~112 × 23 × 10 ft; 193 tons (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
History & Final Voyages
- In September 1872, Rebecca was caught in a storm on Lake Huron near Alabaster, Michigan.
- Earlier in her career, she had stranded near Detour Passage (north of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula) in 186 beg? but was recovered and refloated (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- On the fateful September 1872 voyage, she was being towed south by a tugboat when a gale tore her loose, hurling her ashore. No injuries to crew were reported, but the vessel was believed to be a total loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Final Disposition & Recovery
- Though initially reported as a complete loss, two Bay City captains purchased and salvaged Rebecca in 1873, returning her to service. She remained listed in registries through the 1880s, finally disappearing from official records by 1883, indicating scrapping or another unrecorded loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- Her initial 1872 wreck, however, occurred near Alabaster, Michigan, likely leaving timbers and hardware beached or submerged in shallow coastal areas.
Research Gaps & Next Steps
| Area | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Exact Towing Details | Identify the tug involved in 1872—scan Bay City / Detour Passage maritime notices early Sept 1872. |
| Crew & Incident Reports | Review Bay City Journal, Port Huron Times, and Detroit Free Press from Sept–Oct 1872. |
| Lifesaving Records | Locate U.S. Lifesaving Service logs for storm damage and tow failure on Lake Huron that month. |
| Salvage Documentation | Search Bay City port office records for salvage claim and refit orders from 1873. Registry change logs may note alterations. |
| Archaeological Survey | Conduct shoreline/nearshore inspections south of Alabaster to assess timber and fastener debris—ideal during low lake levels. |
Summary Profile
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Rebecca (sometimes “the Rebecca”) |
| Built | 1853, Toledo, OH |
| Type | Schooner, 112′ × 23′ × 10′; 193 t |
| Loss | Sep 1872, storm‑towed ashore near Alabaster |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Salvaged | Refloated in 1873, re‑entered service |
| Registry | Last listed 1883 |
Significance
The Rebecca‘s multiple incidents—including an early stranding and later storm‑induced tow failure—offer a window into the challenges of early towing operations and coastal navigation on Lake Huron. As a vessel that was both lost and recovered, she bridges two vessel lifecycles, shedding light on mid‑19th‑century salvage practices and economic resilience in Great Lakes maritime communities.
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