Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Schooner – 95

Explore the wreck of an unidentified wooden schooner in Lake Huron, a site rich in maritime history and ecological significance.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Unidentified Schooner
  • Type: Wooden Schooner
  • Year Built:
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: Presumed standard schooner length for its era, likely 80–150 feet.
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 29 m / 95 ft
  • Location: N 43° 28.947′, W 82° 22.433′
  • Coordinates: N 43° 28.947′, W 82° 22.433′

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Type: Wooden Schooner

Description

Current Condition: The wreck is located at a depth of 95 feet in Lake Huron, where the cold, fresh water may have preserved much of the structure. The wooden hull, masts, and potential artifacts could remain intact or partially buried in sediment. The wreck likely serves as a habitat for aquatic species, adding ecological value to its historical significance.

History

Historical Context: Lake Huron was a critical part of Great Lakes commerce, with schooners serving as workhorses for transporting bulk cargo. This unidentified schooner likely met its fate due to severe weather, collision, or grounding. The coordinates indicate proximity to established 19th-century shipping routes, highlighting its potential role in the dense network of commerce that fueled economic growth in the U.S. and Canada.

Significant Incidents

  • Severe Weather: The Great Lakes were notorious for sudden, powerful storms.
  • Collision: Heavy traffic on shipping routes often led to accidents.
  • Grounding or Structural Failure: Wooden schooners, heavily loaded, were prone to damage from shallow reefs or structural weaknesses.

Final Disposition

The identity of the schooner remains unknown, requiring further research. Examination of archival records and local maritime history may yield clues. Artifacts recovered during a dive may provide additional context.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Dive Information: The wreck is suitable for intermediate to advanced divers due to its depth. Visibility is dependent on weather and sediment levels but is generally fair in Lake Huron. Points of interest include the intact hull, keel, or cargo remnants.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”schooner-95″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The unidentified schooner at N 43° 28.947′, W 82° 22.433′ is a poignant reminder of the perils faced by Great Lakes mariners. Its preservation at 95 feet makes it an intriguing site for exploration by divers and maritime historians alike. Uncovering its identity could contribute valuable insight into the region’s rich maritime heritage.

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: Unidentified Schooner

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

  • Name/Designation: Unidentified Schooner
  • Type: Wooden Schooner
  • Coordinates: N 43° 28.947′, W 82° 22.433′
  • Body of Water: Lake Huron
  • Depth: 95 feet (29 meters)
  • Construction: Wooden hull
  • Length: Presumed standard schooner length for its era, likely 80–150 feet.
  • Usage: Likely a cargo vessel transporting goods such as timber, grain, or coal during the late 19th or early 20th century.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Lake Huron was a critical part of Great Lakes commerce, with schooners serving as workhorses for transporting bulk cargo. This unidentified schooner likely met its fate due to one of the following:

  • Severe Weather: The Great Lakes were notorious for sudden, powerful storms.
  • Collision: Heavy traffic on shipping routes often led to accidents.
  • Grounding or Structural Failure: Wooden schooners, heavily loaded, were prone to damage from shallow reefs or structural weaknesses.

Nearby Activity

  • Shipping Lanes: The coordinates indicate proximity to established 19th-century shipping routes.
  • Historical Relevance: This wreck may have been part of the dense network of commerce that fueled the economic growth of the U.S. and Canada.

CURRENT CONDITION

Structural Integrity:

  • At a depth of 95 feet, the cold, fresh water of Lake Huron may have preserved much of the wreck.
  • The wooden hull, masts, and potential artifacts could remain intact or partially buried in sediment.

Marine Life: The wreck likely serves as a habitat for aquatic species, adding ecological value to its historical significance.

DIVE INFORMATION

  • Depth: Suitable for intermediate to advanced divers due to the 95-foot depth.
  • Visibility: Dependent on weather and sediment levels but generally fair in Lake Huron.
  • Points of Interest: Divers may observe the intact hull, keel, or cargo remnants.

RESEARCH STATUS

  • Unidentified: The schooner’s identity remains unknown, requiring further research.
  • Examination of archival records and local maritime history may yield clues.
  • Artifacts recovered during a dive may provide additional context.

CONCLUSION

The unidentified schooner at N 43° 28.947′, W 82° 22.433′ is a poignant reminder of the perils faced by Great Lakes mariners. Its preservation at 95 feet makes it an intriguing site for exploration by divers and maritime historians alike. Uncovering its identity could contribute valuable insight into the region’s rich maritime heritage.

TAGS

#UnidentifiedWreck #Schooner #LakeHuron #GreatLakesShipwrecks #MaritimeHistory

schooner-95 1980-03-14 07:49:00