Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Surprise
- Type: Schooner-barge / Freighter
- Year Built: 1893
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length: Not specified; Beam: Unknown; Depth of hold: Unknown
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Huron
- Coordinates: Not recorded
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Surprise was likely a wooden schooner-barge or early bulk freighter typical of the 1890s, used for transporting lumber, coal, or general freight on the upper Great Lakes. The design would have featured a cargo hold, with auxiliary steam or sail power, and minimal crew accommodations.
Description
The Surprise was presumed to be a wooden vessel, built for the transportation of goods across the Great Lakes. Its construction would have reflected the maritime technology of the late 19th century, emphasizing functionality and durability.
History
On November 4, 1905, the Surprise was destroyed by fire and declared a total loss. The circumstances of the fire are not detailed in the surviving record. There is no indication of casualties, suggesting the vessel was either uncrewed at the time or the crew escaped unharmed.
There is no documentation of recovery efforts or wreck site identification.
Significant Incidents
- November 4, 1905: The Surprise was destroyed by fire, resulting in a total loss.
Final Disposition
Burned to a total loss on Lake Huron. Exact wreck site is unknown, and the vessel is not currently listed as a diveable location.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the Surprise wreck is unknown, as the exact location has not been identified. It is not recognized as a dive site, and divers are encouraged to respect the site and its history.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”surprise-1893″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
As a reminder, divers should always practice ethical diving by leaving only bubbles and taking only memories. The Surprise remains a part of maritime history, and its story is preserved through documentation rather than physical exploration.
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.
WRECK SUMMARY
- Type: Likely schooner-barge or small freighter
- Length: Not specified
- Loss of Life: None reported
- Location: Lake Huron
- GPS: Not recorded
- Depth: Unknown (likely at or near shore)
IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
- Vessel Name: Surprise
- Type: Presumed wooden schooner-barge or lake freighter
- Built: 1893
- Flag/Registry: United States or Canada (not specified)
- Date of Loss: November 4, 1905
- Final Resting Place: Lake Huron (exact location unspecified)
- Casualties: None
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION
The Surprise was likely a wooden schooner-barge or early bulk freighter typical of the 1890s, used for transporting lumber, coal, or general freight on the upper Great Lakes. The design would have featured a cargo hold, with auxiliary steam or sail power, and minimal crew accommodations.
HISTORY
On November 4, 1905, the Surprise was destroyed by fire and declared a total loss. The circumstances of the fire are not detailed in the surviving record. There is no indication of casualties, suggesting the vessel was either uncrewed at the time or the crew escaped unharmed.
There is no documentation of recovery efforts or wreck site identification.
FINAL DISPOSITION
Burned to a total loss on Lake Huron. Exact wreck site is unknown, and the vessel is not currently listed as a diveable location.
REFERENCES & LINKS
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
- Great Lakes Ships – Bowling Green State University
- GreatLakesShips.org