Susan Ward (1862)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Susan Ward
• Type: Wooden two-masted lumber schooner
• Year Built: 1862
• Builder:
• Dimensions:
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Oscoda, Michigan
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Type: Wooden two-masted lumber schooner

Built: 1862

Registry: U.S.—operating out of Oscoda, Michigan

Trade: Timber transport, primarily moving lumber from northern mills to wider markets

Description

The Susan Ward was a wooden two-masted schooner built in 1862, primarily used for transporting lumber. It was registered in the United States and operated out of Oscoda, Michigan.

History

The Susan Ward was engaged in the timber trade, moving lumber from northern mills to various markets. Its service history reflects the reliance on small vessels for freight transport during the 19th century.

Significant Incidents

• Incident: A catastrophic storm hit Oscoda, Michigan. While moored to the Oscoda Salt & Lumber Co. dock, the fierce winds and waves sank the Susan Ward at her berth, tore off her deck structure, and pounded her remains into splinters, destroying the vessel entirely.
• Crew: None aboard; moored at time of loss—no casualties reported.

Final Disposition

The vessel was completely broken apart at the dock; no intact hull or structural remains are known to survive. Debris likely washed into the river mouth and lake; any remnants would be fragmented and deeply buried by silt.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Susan Ward is no longer extant, as it was completely destroyed during the storm. There are no known remains of the vessel, making it inaccessible for diving.

Resources & Links

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The loss of the Susan Ward serves as a significant case study in the vulnerabilities of small freight vessels during severe weather conditions, highlighting the need for improved mooring and dock protection practices in the 1880s.