Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sultana
- Type: Wooden, single-deck side-wheel steamer
- Year Built: 1846
- Builder: Zadock Pangborn
- Dimensions: 217.3 ft (66.24 m); 30.6 ft; 12.7 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 806.4 tons (old style)
- Location: Approx. 15 miles southeast of Point Aux Barques Light, Lake Huron
- Original Owners: Gillman Appleby of Buffalo, NY
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden, single-deck side-wheel steamer.
Description
Description
The Sultana was built in 1846 at Algonac, Michigan, by Zadock Pangborn. It was originally owned by Gillman Appleby of Buffalo, NY, and registered in Buffalo. The vessel featured a single crosshead cylinder engine powering 34-inch side-wheels, built by T.F. Secor & Co. in New York City.
History
History
The Sultana underwent various repairs and modifications throughout its service life. In 1847, it had machinery repairs in Cleveland, where the engine was lowered by one foot. In 1851, it was disabled on Lake Erie and towed to Buffalo, later striking a reef and sinking near West Sister Island. Between 1854 and 1857, the vessel experienced multiple incidents, including groundings and reef strikes, leading to its rebuilding into a sloop barge. From 1860 to 1862, it was persistently converted and ultimately dismantled into a barge.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- 1847: Machinery repair in Cleveland; engine lowered by 1 ft.
- 1851: Disabled on Lake Erie; towed to Buffalo; struck reef and sank near West Sister Island.
- 1854-1857: Various incidents including groundings and reef strikes.
- 1860-1862: Dismantled into a barge, later used as a sloop barge.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
On October 12, 1863, while sailing loaded with lumber on Lake Huron, the Sultana became stranded approximately 15 miles southeast of Point Aux Barques during a gale. The vessel broke apart in subsequent storms, resulting in a total loss. The remains have gradually scattered and degraded off the Michigan coast.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is likely fragmented and located in shallow to moderate depths. No modern sonar or dive surveys have been recorded. The area is known to be reef-prone, and while it is visible in NOAA charts, updated hazard verification is needed.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sultana-1846″ title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion
The Sultana, a mid-19th-century side-wheel steamer, succumbed to a gale on October 12, 1863, near Point Aux Barques. Though fragmented and likely well-decayed, the wreck remains of historical interest. Priorities include confirming the precise location and examining archival sources to document the loss and any rescue operations. A modest survey effort could recover structural data and improve regional maritime charts.
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.
Identification & Specifications
- Built: 1846 at Algonac, Michigan by Zadock Pangborn
- Original Owner: Gillman Appleby of Buffalo, NY; registered in Buffalo
- Type: Wooden, single-deck side-wheel steamer
- Engine: One crosshead cylinder powering 34″ side-wheels (engine built by T.F. Secor & Co., NYC)
- Dimensions: 217.3 ft long × 30.6 ft beam × 12.7 ft depth
- Tonnage: 806.4 tons (old style)
Service & Performance History
- 1847: Underwent machinery repair in Cleveland; engine lowered by 1 ft
- 1851: Disabled on Lake Erie—towed to Buffalo; later struck reef and sank near West Sister Island
- 1854–1857: Various incidents — groundings, reef strikes (Hog Island, St. Clair Flats), rebuilding to sloop barge
- 1860–1862: Persistent conversions — dismantled into barge, later used as sloop barge
Final Incident — October 12, 1863
- Route: Sailing Lake Huron loaded with lumber
- Event: Stranded about 15 miles southeast of Point Aux Barques during a gale
- Outcome: Vessel broke apart in subsequent storms; total loss
- Mud flow: Remains gradually scattered and degraded off Michigan coast
Wreck Site Details
- Location: Approx. 15 miles southeast of Point Aux Barques Light, Lake Huron
- Coordinates & Condition: Likely fragmented in shallow to moderate depths; no modern sonar or dive surveys recorded
- Hazard: Reef-prone waters—area is visible in NOAA charts but needs updated hazard verification
Citations
- Launch, build details, and engine specs derived from 1883 St. Clair County maritime registry (us-data.org, Wikipedia, Encyclopedia of Arkansas, michiganlights.com)
- Note on wreck near Point Aux Barques from contemporary maritime notes and Light Station registry (linkstothepast.com, michiganlights.com)
Research Opportunities & Recommendations
- Archival Research
- Inspect autumn 1863 lake shipping news in Detroit Free Press or Toronto Globe
- Review Point Aux Barques Life-Saving Station logs for gale records and rescue operations
- Field Survey
- Side-scan sonar mapping off Point Aux Barques reef line to locate hull debris
- Diver reconnaissance depending on depth and bottom visibility
- Hazard & Historic Record Context
- Determine presence of wreck in NOAA charts and update community hazard advisories
- Investigate whether scattered remains contributed to local salvage or beach wash-ups
Conclusion
The Sultana, a mid-19th-century side-wheel steamer built in Algonac, Michigan, succumbed to a gale on October 12, 1863, near Point Aux Barques. Though fragmented and likely well-decayed, the wreck remains of historical interest. Priorities include confirming the precise location and examining archival sources to document the loss and any rescue operations. A modest survey effort could recover structural data and improve regional maritime charts.
sultana-1846 1863-10-12 16:09:00