Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Summit (1856)

Explore the wreck of the Summit, a wooden schooner lost in a storm on Lake Huron in 1872, with a tragic history and significant maritime implications.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Summit
  • Type: Schooner
  • Year Built: 1856
  • Builder: Not specified
  • Dimensions: Not specified
  • Registered Tonnage: Not specified
  • Location: Lake Huron
  • Official Number: Not documented
  • Original Owners: Not specified
  • Number of Masts: Two or more

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Summit was a wooden-hulled schooner, a common type of sailing vessel used on the Great Lakes during the 19th century for transporting bulk goods such as iron ore.

Description

Specific details regarding the vessel’s dimensions and construction are not provided in the available sources. However, as a schooner built in 1856, the Summit would have featured a wooden hull and been rigged with two or more masts, designed for efficient cargo transport across the Great Lakes.

History

On September 28, 1872, the Summit was transporting a cargo of iron ore across Lake Huron when it encountered a severe storm. The vessel was driven ashore and stranded. Heavy seas had broken up her lifeboat, leaving the crew without a means of escape. Two crew members lost their lives in the incident.

Significant Incidents

  • Loss of two crew members during the storm on September 28, 1872.

Final Disposition

Following the stranding in 1872, the Summit was deemed a total loss. There is no information available regarding salvage operations or the recovery of cargo.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Specific details about the discovery or exploration of the Summit’s wreck site are not provided in the available sources.

Resources & Links

The loss of the Summit in 1872 underscores the hazards faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, particularly during severe weather conditions. The incident highlights the importance of accurate navigation and the challenges posed by sudden storms. The Summit’s story contributes to the broader understanding of maritime history in the region.