Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Templeton
- Type: Freight Vessel
- Year Built:
- Builder: Not identified
- Dimensions: Unknown
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: North side of South Manitou Island, near Morazan Point
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Likely a wooden sailing vessel (schooner or scow), typical of late-19th century Great Lakes freight craft.
Description
Templeton was a small Great Lakes freight vessel lost off South Manitou Island in 1893 after being caught in a storm. Laden reportedly with 350 barrels of whiskey and other valuables, she was wrecked with all cargo lost. Vessel-specific data (build, dimensions, crew) remain undocumented. The whiskey cargo hints at an intriguing economic backstory—be it legitimate trade or covert transportation.
History
The Templeton was reported to be carrying 350 barrels of whiskey, possibly alongside mixed merchandise and cash, suggesting use in high-value, possibly bootleg or specialty transport. The vessel was lost during the fall shipping season of 1893, likely in mid to late October.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: 1893 (mid-late); likely during the fall shipping season.
- Location: North side of South Manitou Island (near Morazan Point), Lake Michigan.
- Cause: Foundered during a storm; driven ashore or capsized in high seas—wreck pronounced a total loss.
- Casualties: Not recorded.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Templeton was pronounced a total loss after being caught in a storm. The exact details of the wreck and any subsequent salvage operations remain undocumented.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, the condition of the wreck is unknown, and there are opportunities for further exploration using side-scan sonar or shore-based dives near Morazan Point, where the relatively shallow waters may yield visible wreck remnants.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”templeton” title=”References & Links”]
Further research is needed to uncover the construction details, cargo verification, and loss documentation of the Templeton. Investigating archived ship registration logs, shipping manifests, and meteorological data from 1893 could provide valuable insights into this intriguing shipwreck.
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.
Vessel Details (partially undocumented)
- Build Info: Not identified—no known record of builder, year, dimensions, or official number
- Type: Likely a wooden sailing vessel (schooner or scow), typical of late-19th century Great Lakes freight craft
- Cargo at Loss: Reported to be carrying 350 barrels of whiskey, possibly alongside mixed merchandise and cash—suggesting use in high-value, possibly bootleg or specialty transport
Incident & Final Loss
- Date of Loss: 1893 (mid-late); likely during the fall shipping season
- Location: North side of South Manitou Island (near Morazan Point), Lake Michigan
- Cause: Foundered during a storm; driven ashore or capsized in high seas—wreck pronounced a total loss (“templeton… storm… 350 bbl whiskey… no detail”)
- Casualties: Not recorded
Primary Source
- Catalogued in Great Lakes Shipwreck Files with notation: “TEMPLETON… 1893… North side of S Manitou Isl. near MORAZAN… storm… carrying 350 bbl whiskey*… No detail… *also had mixed merchandise and (supposedly) lots of cash.” (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Research Gaps & Next Steps
| Area | Opportunity |
|---|---|
| Construction & Registry | Search archived 1890s ship registration logs for “Templeton” to recover vessel specs and ownership |
| Cargo Verification | Examine shipping manifests or merchant ledgers—especially for liquor shipments, perhaps connected to Prohibition-era trade patterns |
| Loss Documentation | Investigate 1893 meteorological data and newspaper accounts (Chicago Tribune, Traverse City Record-Eagle) for grounding or ship loss near South Manitou |
| Salvage or Dive Survey | Employ side-scan sonar or a shore-based dive near Morazan Point—the relatively shallow north side may yield visible wreck remnants |
| Legal or Insurance Records | Liberty Mutual or other insurers might hold claims tied to high-value cargo losses |
Summary
Templeton was a small Great Lakes freight vessel lost off South Manitou Island in 1893 after being caught in a storm. Laden reportedly with 350 barrels of whiskey and other valuables, she was wrecked with all cargo lost. Vessel-specific data (build, dimensions, crew) remain undocumented. The whiskey cargo hints at an intriguing economic backstory—be it legitimate trade or covert transportation.
templeton 1893-07-18 17:09:00