Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Starling
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: J. Tait, Sophiasburg, Ontario
- Dimensions: 108 ft (32.9 m) length × 25 ft beam × ~10 ft depth
- Registered Tonnage: 198 GRT
- Location: Near the grounded Grummond Line wrecker Winslow, eastern Lake Huron
- Official Number: Not listed
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Starling is classified as a two-masted wooden schooner, a common vessel type for cargo transport during the late 19th century.
Description
Built in 1873 by J. Tait in Sophiasburg, Ontario, the Starling measured 108 feet in length, 25 feet in beam, and approximately 10 feet in depth. She had a registered tonnage of 198 gross tons and was primarily used for carrying agricultural goods.
History
The Starling had a service history typical of cargo schooners of her time, engaging in the transport of various goods across the Great Lakes. On November 15, 1884, she encountered a gale-force storm on Lake Huron, which led to her grounding.
Significant Incidents
- Date: November 15, 1884
- Weather: Gale-force storm on Lake Huron
- Incident Details: The Starling was driven ashore near the grounded Grummond Line wrecker Winslow during the storm.
- Cargo: Listed as carrying potatoes, grain, apples, and hay.
- Casualties: None reported; crew presumably survived.
Final Disposition
The Starling was declared a constructive total loss after beaching and failed salvage attempts. She was abandoned ashore without recovery, leaving her hull wrecked and unusable.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The exact current condition of the wreck is unknown, but it is presumed to be in a deteriorated state due to exposure and abandonment.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”starling” title=”References & Links”]
The Starling, a 108-foot cargo schooner built in 1873, was grounded by gale conditions on November 15, 1884, near the wrecked tug Winslow. She carried mixed agricultural cargo and was a total loss. Complicating salvage attempts, the Winslow tug attempted illegal towing in Canadian waters, escaping before authorities intervened. Documentation of the event exists, but further research into location accuracy, crew survival, and legal outcomes will enhance the historical record.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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