Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Somerset
- Type: Wooden schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1847
- Builder: Crockett at Oswego, New York
- Dimensions: 88 ft × 18 ft × 8 ft; ~95 tons
- Registered Tonnage: ~95 tons
- Location: Off Monroe, Michigan
- Official Number: 57384
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Somerset was originally constructed as a schooner and later converted to a schooner-barge, a type of vessel designed for towing and carrying cargo.
Description
Built in 1847, the Somerset measured 88 feet in length, 18 feet in beam, and had a depth of 8 feet. It was primarily used for transporting lumber.
History
The Somerset was part of a five-barge tow under the tug Zouave during its final voyage on May 11, 1872. The vessel was involved in a collision with the tow-mate barge Wolverine, which led to its sinking.
Significant Incidents
- While being towed, the Somerset collided with the barge Wolverine during maneuvering or heavy water conditions.
- The collision caused the Somerset to take on water rapidly and sink at sea, resulting in a total loss.
- No casualties were reported, as the barge likely sailed unmanned or with minimal crew aboard while under tow.
Final Disposition
The Somerset sank off the coast of Monroe, Michigan, in Lake Erie. Its wreck site remains a point of interest for maritime archaeologists.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As a wooden barge, the wreck may consist of submerged hull remnants, stanchions, fasteners, and possible lading materials. The site is estimated to be in relatively shallow waters.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”somerset-us-57384″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Somerset highlights the occupational hazards of multi-barge tows and the risks associated with early maritime logistics on 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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Somerset
- Built: 1847 by Crockett at Oswego, New York; originally constructed as a schooner and later converted to a schooner-barge
- Type: Wooden schooner-barge, 88 ft × 18 ft × 8 ft; ~95 tons
- Official No.: 57384
- Final Voyage: May 11, 1872—operating as part of a five-barge tow under the tug Zouave, downbound from the Saginaw River
- Incident Location: Off Monroe, Michigan, in Lake Erie
- Cargo: Lumber
- Casualties: None reported—no injuries or fatalities (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, wrecksite.eu)
Incident & Collision
- While being towed in the flotilla led by the tug Zouave, the Somerset collided with the tow‑mate barge Wolverine during maneuvering or heavy water conditions.
- The collision caused the Somerset to take on water rapidly and sink at sea, resulting in a total loss.
- There is no record of crew loss—the barge likely sailed unmanned or with minimal crew aboard while under tow (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Archival & Research Gaps
- Tow Operation Logs – Tug Zouave records may detail the collision circumstances and crew actions.
- Crew or Barge Logs – If crew were aboard Somerset, their identities and evacuation status should be confirmed.
- Weather & Water Conditions – May 1872 meteorological records for Lake Erie could clarify environmental impact.
- Press Coverage – Local newspapers (Monroe, Detroit, Buffalo) likely reported the collision and sinking.
- Registry & Ownership – Enrollment documents, especially conversion documentation from schooner to barge, may be in Buffalo customs records.
Wreck & Site Survey Potential
- Estimated Site: Just off the coast of Monroe, Michigan, in relatively shallow Lake Erie waters.
- Condition: As a wooden barge, remnants may include submerged hull remnants, stanchions, fasteners, and possible lading materials.
- Survey Strategy:
- Consult 1872 nautical charts for the tow path and sinking locus.
- Deploy side‑scan sonar and magnetometer to detect debris fields.
- Conduct targeted shallow dives to document hull remains and identify collision damage.
Historical Significance
- The loss of Somerset exemplifies the occupational hazards inherent in multi-barge tows—especially amidst congested towing maneuvers or sudden water disturbances.
- As a converted schooner-barge, the vessel represents a transitional period in freight transport methodology on the Great Lakes.
- Her demise underscores the risks of tow maintenance protocols in early maritime logistics.
Recommended Next Steps
- Archive Investigation: Request access to tug Zouave logs and barge registry records at National Archives (Detroit or Buffalo).
- Newspaper Retrieval: Search May–June 1872 editions for collision and wreck reports.
- Weather Data Inquiry: Obtain environmental conditions log to reconstruct the sinking scenario.
- Site Reconnaissance: Coordinate with maritime archaeologists to survey the Monroe area for the Somerset wreck site.