Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Rush
- Type: Wooden Schooner-Scow
- Year Built: 1853
- Builder:
- Dimensions: 103 ft (31.4 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Buckhorn Dock near Amherstburg, Ontario
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Rush was a two-masted wooden sailing scow, primarily designed for shallow-draft operation and nearshore cargo runs.
Description
Constructed as a flat-bottomed scow, the Rush was ideal for transporting hardwood staves and bolts, essential materials in barrel making and packaging, along Lake Erie routes.
History
The Rush was built in 1853 and primarily engaged in the transportation of hardwood staves and bolts. On 2 November 1876, while attempting to depart Buckhorn Dock, the vessel was overpowered by a sudden northerly gale, leading to its grounding and subsequent wrecking.
Significant Incidents
- Weather: Overpowered by a sudden northerly gale while attempting to depart Buckhorn Dock.
- Event: Unable to leave the dock due to strong winds, the vessel was driven ashore and wrecked against the shore or dock structure.
- Casualties: None reported—crew managed to survive.
Final Disposition
The Rush was declared a total loss after grounding. It is likely that the vessel was salvaged for timber or left in place, as no modern dive surveys or rediscovery efforts have been recorded. The location near Amherstburg suggests that any remains would be in very shallow water, possibly obscured by sediment or affected by shoreline activity.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No official Notices to Mariners were issued at the time of the wreck. As a small scow wreck near the shoreline, the Rush posed minimal hazard to navigation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”rush-1853″ title=”References & Links”]
The Rush exemplifies a small-scale Great Lakes scow used in the bustling stave and barrel materials trade. Her loss on 2 November 1876 resulted from a powerful northerly gale that swept her ashore, but without casualties. Given her coastal grounding and possible salvage, the wreck likely doesn’t survive in diveable form—but archival investigation could illuminate her origins, ownership, crew, and the circumstances of her grounding.
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.
(Wooden Schooner-Scow – Built 1853, Lost 2 Nov 1876)
Identification & Ship Info
- Name: Rush
- Built: 1853 (wooden schooner-scow)
- Type: Two-masted wooden sailing scow, 103 ft long
- Loss Date & Location: 2 November 1876, grounding at Buckhorn Dock near Amherstburg, Ontario, Lake Erie
- Cargo: Elm staves and bolts aboard at time of wreck (Alchem Incorporated)
Vessel Purpose & Description
- Primarily carried hardwood staves and bolts—key components in barrel making and packaging—on Lake Erie routes.
- Constructed as a flat-bottomed scow with two masts, ideal for nearshore cargo runs and shallow-draft operation.
Final Incident
- Weather: Overpowered by a sudden northerly gale while attempting to depart Buckhorn Dock
- Event: Unable to leave the dock due to strong winds, the vessel was driven ashore and wrecked against the shore or dock structure (NPS History, Alchem Incorporated).
- Casualties: None reported—crew managed to survive.
Disposition & Site Condition
- The Rush grounded so severely that she was declared a total loss.
- Likely salvaged for timber or left in place; no modern dive surveys or site rediscovery recorded.
- Location near Amherstburg suggests remains would be in very shallow, possibly obscured by sediment or demolished by shoreline activity.
Notices & Warnings
- No official Notices to Mariners were issued at the time.
- As a small scow wreck near the shoreline, she posed minimal hazard to navigation.
Sources
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – “R” listing for Rush, noting dimensions, cargo, gale, and grounding details (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Thieves River, Alchem Incorporated).
- Elm stave & bolt cargo referenced in Lake Erie shipwreck index (Alchem Incorporated).
Research Gaps & Next Steps
| Area | Suggested Action |
|---|---|
| Construction Details | Investigate Amherstburg or Detroit enrollment records (mid‑1850s) for builder, dimensions, and ownership |
| Crew Information | Search crew lists and insurance filings via U.S./Canadian archives (RG 26 or Transport Canada) |
| Newspaper Reports | Explore Amherstburg Echo and Detroit Free Press archives (Nov 1876) for expedition reports, salvage, or eye-witness accounts |
| Shore Site Survey | Undertake shoreline reconnaissance near old Buckhorn Dock using metal detection or stratified sampling to locate structural remnants |
Conclusion
The Rush exemplifies a small-scale Great Lakes scow used in the bustling stave and barrel materials trade. Her loss on 2 November 1876 resulted from a powerful northerly gale that swept her ashore, but without casualties. Given her coastal grounding and possible salvage, the wreck likely doesn’t survive in diveable form—but archival investigation could illuminate her origins, ownership, crew, and the circumstances of her grounding.
rush-1853 1876-11-02 21:03:00