Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Thomas Kingsford (1856)

Explore the wreck of the Thomas Kingsford, a wooden schooner lost to ice in 1871, located near Waugoshance Reef in the Straits of Mackinac.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Thomas Kingsford
  • Type: Wooden schooner
  • Year Built: 1856
  • Builder: Unknown (likely at an Upper Great Lakes yard)
  • Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: Unknown
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 7.6 m / 25 ft
  • Location: Waugoshance Reef, Straits of Mackinac
  • Coordinates: Approximately 25 ft from the lighthouse pier
  • Official Number: Unknown
  • Original Owners: Unknown
  • Number of Masts: Unknown

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden schooner used for general commerce.

Description

The Thomas Kingsford was a wooden schooner built in 1856, primarily engaged in general commerce on the Great Lakes. The vessel was lost on April 8, 1871, due to severe ice conditions near Waugoshance Lighthouse.

History

During its operational years, the Thomas Kingsford was involved in mid-Great Lakes commerce. At the time of its loss, the vessel was 15 years old and still active. The wrecking incident occurred during the early spring break-up when ice conditions became perilous.

Significant Incidents

  • On April 8, 1871, the Thomas Kingsford became trapped near Waugoshance Lighthouse due to shifting ice.
  • The hull was progressively crushed by strong ice pressure, leading to its sinking in approximately 26 ft of water.
  • Rescue attempts by the tug Michigan were thwarted by the violent ice conditions.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Thomas Kingsford was found intact but heavily split amidships. Salvage operations began in June 1871, recovering some anchors, chain, and rigging, while the remainder of the hull was deemed unsalvageable.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck remains in situ at a depth of approximately 26 ft. It is heavily split amidships but still offers opportunities for diver and AUV documentation.

Resources & Links

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The Thomas Kingsford wreck serves as a significant case study of ice hazards in the Straits of Mackinac, providing insights into 19th-century navigation and salvage practices.

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.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Thomas Kingsford
  • Built: 1856 (likely at an Upper Great Lakes yard)
  • Type: Wooden schooner, used for general commerce
  • Loss Date: April 8, 1871
  • Location: Waugoshance Reef, Straits of Mackinac—wreck happened just 25 ft from the lighthouse pier

Final Voyage & Sinking Incident

  • During early spring break-up ice conditions on April 8, 1871, Thomas Kingsford became trapped near Waugoshance Lighthouse.
  • The shifting ice tore the hull apart, crushing her from stem to stern. Strong ice pressure progressively “cut” the vessel, causing her to sink in only 26 ft of water—remarkably close to shore (Michigan Mysteries).
  • Rescuers aboard the tug Michigan initially attempted to reach her, but the violent ice rendered assault impossible across the reef.

Wreck & Salvage Status

  • Site Condition: Found intact but heavily split amidships; hull remains in situ in ~26 ft water depth (Michigan Mysteries).
  • 1861–1871 Significance: At 15 years old, she was relatively aged but still operative during mid-Great Lakes commerce.
  • Salvage: Starting June 1871, salvage crews succeeded in recovering anchors, chain, and rigging; the remainder of the hull was declared unsalvageable (Michigan Mysteries).

Archival & Research Gaps

  • Construction Records – Shipyard ledger, launch papers, and enrollment likely housed in mid-19th-century customs or regional archives.
  • Crew & Master – Enrollment documents may list master, crew complement, and tonnage specifics.
  • Cargo Details – Manifest records for her final voyage might exist in shipping registries.
  • Incident Reports – Waugoshance Light station logs or Coast Guard records could detail the wrecking event.
  • Weather Logs – April 1871 ice movement records via NOAA or historical meteorological collections.

Wreck & Survey Opportunities

  • Location: Approximately 25 ft (7.6 m) off the Waugoshance Lighthouse pier in the Straits of Mackinac.
  • Dive Visibility: Historically noted as accessible in ~26 ft (8 m) water—ideal for diver/AUV documentation.
  • Potential Research: High-resolution sonar scan, photogrammetry to assess hull fragmentation, wood decay mapping, and structural analysis in context of ice damage.

Recommended Next Steps

  • Archive Requests
    • U.S. Customs ledger (mid-19th century) for vessel enrollment and documentation
    • Waugoshance light station and U.S. Lighthouse Service logs
  • Historical Newspapers
    • Regional press (Petoskey, Mackinac, St. Ignace newspapers) from April–June 1871
  • Survey Proposal
    • Coordinate a side-scan sonar and ROV mission to document the split hull and salvage debris field
    • Photogrammetric modelling of the site to understand ice damage mechanisms

Historical Significance

The Thomas Kingsford wreck provides an exceptional case study of springtime ice hazards in the Straits of Mackinac. Sitting visibly close to shore, the site offers a rare opportunity to examine hull failure inflicted by natural forces. Its recovery has potential to enrich our understanding of 19th-century salvaging and ice navigation practices.

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