Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Rufus T. Learned
- Type: Wooden Schooner
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Thunder Bay, Lake Huron
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Rufus T. Learned was a wooden schooner, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Schooners were primarily used for transporting bulk cargoes such as grain, lumber, and coal. Their design featured multiple masts with fore-and-aft sails, allowing for efficient navigation and cargo handling.
Description
Specific details about the construction, ownership, and operational history of the Rufus T. Learned are limited. However, as a schooner operating on the Great Lakes, it likely participated in the regional trade network, transporting goods between ports in the United States and Canada.
History
In October 1870, the Rufus T. Learned encountered a storm while navigating near Thunder Bay on Lake Huron. The vessel became stranded, leading to its loss. Details about the crew’s fate or any salvage operations are not readily available.
Significant Incidents
- Stranded during a storm in October 1870.
Final Disposition
The exact location and condition of the Rufus T. Learned wreck remain undocumented in publicly available records. Given the time elapsed since its loss, it’s possible that remnants of the vessel have deteriorated or become buried under sediment. Further research or underwater exploration may be necessary to locate and assess the wreck site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Thunder Bay is known for its treacherous waters, often referred to as “Shipwreck Alley,” due to the high number of maritime incidents in the area. The loss of the Rufus T. Learned adds to the historical narrative of the challenges faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes during the 19th century.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”rufus-t-learned” title=”References & Links”]
Further exploration and research may provide more insights into the Rufus T. Learned and its historical significance within the maritime landscape of the Great Lakes.
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.
Shipwreck Report: Schooner Rufus T. Learned
Vessel Name: Rufus T. Learned
Type: Wooden Schooner
Date of Loss: October 1870
Location: Thunder Bay, Lake Huron
Cause: Stranded during a storm
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The Rufus T. Learned was a wooden schooner, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Schooners were primarily used for transporting bulk cargoes such as grain, lumber, and coal. Their design featured multiple masts with fore-and-aft sails, allowing for efficient navigation and cargo handling.
HISTORY
Specific details about the construction, ownership, and operational history of the Rufus T. Learned are limited. However, as a schooner operating on the Great Lakes, it likely participated in the regional trade network, transporting goods between ports in the United States and Canada.
FINAL DISPOSITION
In October 1870, the Rufus T. Learned encountered a storm while navigating near Thunder Bay on Lake Huron. The vessel became stranded, leading to its loss. Details about the crew’s fate or any salvage operations are not readily available.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY
The exact location and condition of the Rufus T. Learned wreck remain undocumented in publicly available records. Given the time elapsed since its loss, it’s possible that remnants of the vessel have deteriorated or become buried under sediment. Further research or underwater exploration may be necessary to locate and assess the wreck site.
NOTES
Thunder Bay is known for its treacherous waters, often referred to as “Shipwreck Alley,” due to the high number of maritime incidents in the area. The loss of the Rufus T. Learned adds to the historical narrative of the challenges faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes during the 19th century.
Sources:
- Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary – NOAA
- List of shipwrecks in October 1870 – Wikipedia