Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Stone City
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: ~189 tons
- Location: Aground on fog-bound coastline; likely Lake Michigan near Big Cedar, Michigan
- Original Owners: Unknown, likely locally owned
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A small two-masted wooden schooner engaged in regional fishing or cargo runs carrying salted fish along Great Lakes coastal routes.
Description
No builder dimensions, registry numbers, or engine data are available from existing summaries. Vessel matches typical design for schooners transporting salted fish in the late 19th century—likely stout but shallow-draft suited to coastal trade.
History
- Carried salted fish-bound for Big Cedar, Michigan.
- Lost in dense fog; ran aground and quickly broke apart due to wave action and structural failure.
- No recorded casualties or successful salvage attempts.
- Absence of registry or ownership information suggests the vessel was small and possibly locally owned.
Significant Incidents
- Wrecked on October 12, 1898, with some sources noting 1899.
- Grounded in fog, leading to its rapid disintegration.
Final Disposition
- Broke up promptly after stranding; rendered a total loss.
- No documented salvage, insurance claims, or legal inquiry.
- Left as a wreck in shallow water; likely fragmented and partially buried or destroyed over time.
Current Condition & Accessibility
- No Notices to Mariners or hazards were officially noted.
- The site appears uncharted in hydrographic records.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”stone-city-1898″ title=”References & Links”]
Available documentation is minimal. This report is based on verified incident details, with significant gaps in vessel registration, construction data, and local context. Further archival research (e.g. shipping registers, lighthouse logs, local newspapers) is recommended to build a more complete historical profile.
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