Robert Emmett

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Robert Emmett
• Type: Brig
• Year Built:
• Builder:
• Dimensions:
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: The Straits of Mackinac, Great Lakes
• Coordinates: Not specified
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Both the SANDUSKY and the ROBERT EMMETT were wooden-hulled brigs, commonly used during the mid-19th century for the transportation of bulk goods such as wheat across the Great Lakes. These two-masted sailing vessels were designed to handle large cargoes while maintaining maneuverability, essential for navigating the often unpredictable weather of the Great Lakes.

Description

The sinking of a brig in the Straits of Mackinac during stormy weather led to confusion about the vessel’s identity. Both the SANDUSKY and ROBERT EMMETT were reported to have encountered severe weather in the region, leading to speculation about which vessel was lost.

History

The SANDUSKY: On January 31, 1857, it was reported that the brig SANDUSKY, carrying a cargo of wheat, sank in the Straits during a gale. Seven crew members lost their lives, and the property loss was valued at $18,000. Earlier reports suggest the SANDUSKY was sailing from Chicago to Buffalo. However, conflicting accounts questioned whether the SANDUSKY was the vessel observed sunk months earlier.

Unidentified Brig (Believed to be SANDUSKY or ROBERT EMMETT): On September 24, 1856, the schooner L.M. MASON reported passing a brig in the Straits during a storm. The crew was seen clinging to the rigging, but due to the severe weather, no assistance could be rendered. Following this sighting, speculation arose that the sunken vessel might have been the SANDUSKY. However, visitors to the wreck site where the top-masts were visible suggested it could be the ROBERT EMMETT, not the SANDUSKY.

As of October 4, 1856, no definitive news about the fate of the SANDUSKY had emerged, leaving its status and the identity of the sunken brig unresolved. Both vessels were active in the Great Lakes trade during this period, contributing to the confusion.

Significant Incidents

• SANDUSKY: Presumed lost in the Straits of Mackinac during the gale of January 31, 1857. The wreck location is uncertain, and it may overlap with the unidentified brig seen earlier.
• ROBERT EMMETT: Believed by some to be the vessel observed by the L.M. MASON in September 1856, though no definitive evidence has confirmed this.

Final Disposition

The wreckage observed in 1856 with top-masts visible has likely degraded over time or been submerged entirely due to shifting currents and sediment. Any remaining artifacts from either vessel are presumed to rest on the lakebed, awaiting further exploration.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreckage observed in 1856 with top-masts visible has likely degraded over time or been submerged entirely due to shifting currents and sediment. Any remaining artifacts from either vessel are presumed to rest on the lakebed, awaiting further exploration.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”robert-emmett” title=”References & Links”]

The sinking of the brig in the Straits of Mackinac remains one of the more enigmatic maritime incidents of the mid-19th century on the Great Lakes. The conflicting accounts about the identities of the SANDUSKY and the ROBERT EMMETT highlight the challenges of maritime reporting and documentation in an era before advanced communication and navigation tools. While the exact wreck and its identity remain unresolved, the tragedy underscores the perilous conditions faced by sailors on the Great Lakes.