Shotline Diving

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Richard J. Carney US 56496(R.J. Carney)

Explore the wreck of the Richard J. Carney, a wooden schooner-barge lost in Lake Superior, a testament to the challenges of 19th-century maritime trade.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Richard J. Carney (R.J. Carney)
  • Type: Wooden Two-Masted Schooner-Barge
  • Year Built: 1873
  • Builder: Gibson & Craig, Buffalo, New York (with possible hull construction in Saginaw, Michigan)
  • Dimensions: 150 ft (45.7 m); Beam: 30.6 ft (9.3 m); Depth of hold: 10.6 ft (3.2 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: Gross Tonnage: 397 tons; Net Tonnage: 377 tons
  • Location: Whitefish Bay, Lake Superior, near Shelldrake, Michigan
  • Official Number: US 56496
  • Original Owners: James Davidson, John Maxwell, W.V. Penoyan
  • Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Type: Wooden Two-Masted Schooner-Barge

Description

The Richard J. Carney, also known as R.J. Carney, was primarily used in the lumber trade, transporting lumber from Michigan to Chicago, Illinois. It was typically towed by steamers, including the ONEIDA and later the NELLIE TORRENT.

History

Ownership History:

Significant Incidents

Significant Incidents:

  • Foundering in Lake St. Clair (May 31, 1889): The vessel sank due to unspecified circumstances. The incident did not result in loss of life, but the details surrounding the cause of the foundering remain unclear.
  • Wrecking in Whitefish Bay (September 28, 1895): While loading lumber at the Shelldrake dock in Michigan, the Carney was caught in a storm. Driven ashore near Shelldrake, the vessel was stranded and eventually pounded to pieces. The tow steamer Nellie Torrent was also driven ashore during the same storm, but both crews escaped unharmed.

Final Disposition

Final Disposition:

  • The Carney was declared a total loss after being destroyed by wave action. The wrecking incident was widely reported in newspapers, including the Port Huron Daily Times and Buffalo Evening News.
  • Decommissioning: On December 30, 1895, the vessel’s enrollment was surrendered at Port Huron, Michigan, officially marking the end of its service.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Richard J. Carney serves as a testament to the challenges faced by schooner-barges during the late 19th century. Its involvement in the lumber trade highlights its importance in the Great Lakes’ maritime commerce. The vessel’s wreck at Shelldrake is emblematic of the perilous conditions faced by sailors and the vulnerability of wooden ships during severe storms.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”richard-j-carney-us-56496r-j-carney” title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

This structured report provides a comprehensive overview of the Richard J. Carney’s service, incidents, and final disposition, preserving its legacy in Great Lakes maritime history.

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.

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

  • Type: Wooden Two-Masted Schooner-Barge
  • Other Names: R.J. CARNEY, CARNEY
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 150 ft (45.7 m)
    • Beam: 30.6 ft (9.3 m)
    • Depth: 10.6 ft (3.2 m)
  • Tonnage:
    • Gross Tonnage: 397 tons
    • Net Tonnage: 377 tons
  • Locations of Loss:
    • Lake St. Clair (May 31, 1889)
    • Whitefish Bay, Lake Superior, near Shelldrake, Michigan (September 28, 1895)
  • Name: Richard J. Carney (R.J. Carney)
  • Builder: Gibson & Craig, Buffalo, New York (with possible hull construction in Saginaw, Michigan)
  • Year Built: 1873
  • Material: Wooden hull
  • Ownership History:

HISTORY

Service Life:

The Richard J. Carney was primarily used in the lumber trade, transporting lumber from Michigan to Chicago, Illinois. It was typically towed by steamers, including the ONEIDA and later the NELLIE TORRENT.

Significant Incidents:

1. Foundering in Lake St. Clair (May 31, 1889):

• The vessel sank due to unspecified circumstances. The incident did not result in loss of life, but the details surrounding the cause of the foundering remain unclear.

2. Wrecking in Whitefish Bay (September 28, 1895):

• While loading lumber at the Shelldrake dock in Michigan, the Carney was caught in a storm.

• Driven ashore near Shelldrake, the vessel was stranded and eventually pounded to pieces.

• The tow steamer Nellie Torrent was also driven ashore during the same storm, but both crews escaped unharmed.

FINAL DISPOSITION

• Whitefish Bay Incident:

• The Carney was declared a total loss after being destroyed by wave action.

• The wrecking incident was widely reported in newspapers, including the Port Huron Daily Times and Buffalo Evening News.

• Decommissioning:

• On December 30, 1895, the vessel’s enrollment was surrendered at Port Huron, Michigan, officially marking the end of its service.

SIGNIFICANCE

The Richard J. Carney serves as a testament to the challenges faced by schooner-barges during the late 19th century. Its involvement in the lumber trade highlights its importance in the Great Lakes’ maritime commerce. The vessel’s wreck at Shelldrake is emblematic of the perilous conditions faced by sailors and the vulnerability of wooden ships during severe storms.

REFERENCES & LINKS

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Local historical newspapers, including the Port Huron Daily Times and Buffalo Evening News.

This structured report provides a comprehensive overview of the Richard J. Carney’s service, incidents, and final disposition, preserving its legacy in Great Lakes maritime history.

The RICHARD J. CARNEY, also known as R.J. CARNEY, was a wooden two-masted schooner-barge. The vessel was built in 1873 by Gibson & Craig in Buffalo, New York, according to official records, although news clippings from Saginaw in 1871 describe its launch there. It is possible that the hull was constructed in Saginaw and finished in Buffalo. The CARNEY had the following specifications: 150 feet in length, 30.6 feet in beam, and 10.6 feet in depth. It had a gross tonnage of 397 tons and a net tonnage of 377 tons. richard-j-carney-us-56496r-j-carney 1889-09-28 07:49:00