Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Thomas P. Sheldon
- Type: Three-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1871
- Builder: William Croswaith, East Saginaw, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 194 ft (59.1 m); Beam: 33 ft (10.1 m); Depth of hold: 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 669.46 gross, 635.99 net
- Location: Off Oscoda, Michigan
- Official Number: 24871
- Original Owners: Brown et al. in Buffalo, NY
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A large, full-rigged three-masted schooner—at the time the largest ever built on the Saginaw River—designed as a bulk-freight vessel, primarily for lumber transport.
Description
Single-deck wooden schooner with extensive hold space. Built robustly to support heavy timber cargoes. The large hull and sail plan indicate long-haul capability across the Great Lakes.
History
- 19 Oct 1871: Grounded on Lake Huron early in service.
- 29 Oct 1874: Struck a reef at the Lime Kilns in the Detroit River; subsequently repaired.
- 1876: Registered to Brown et al. in Buffalo, NY.
- 18 Jun 1881: Collision with schooner Pensaukee in fog off Racine, Wisconsin—Lake Michigan.
- May–Aug 1886: Struck in St. Mary’s River; raised after sinking.
- 18 Nov 1886: Went ashore near Alpena, Michigan, Lake Huron.
- 3 Aug 1894: Sprung a leak off Keweenaw Point, Lake Superior.
- 10 Aug 1901: Final collision and sinking off AuSable Point, near Oscoda, MI, Lake Huron.
These events illustrate multiple rebuilds and heavy use over a 30-year career (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Significant Incidents
- Grounded on Lake Huron early in service (19 Oct 1871).
- Struck a reef at the Lime Kilns in the Detroit River (29 Oct 1874).
- Collision with schooner Pensaukee in fog off Racine, Wisconsin (18 Jun 1881).
- Struck in St. Mary’s River; raised after sinking (May–Aug 1886).
- Went ashore near Alpena, Michigan (18 Nov 1886).
- Sprung a leak off Keweenaw Point, Lake Superior (3 Aug 1894).
- Final collision and sinking off AuSable Point (10 Aug 1901).
Final Disposition
On 10 August 1901, while under tow by the steamer Waverly, Thomas P. Sheldon was holed amid a storm close to shore off Oscoda. The towing steamer also ran aground, and during a subsequent storm on 25 August, the schooner broke apart in shallow water. Both vessels belonged to J.C. Gilchrist’s fleet. No loss of life reported (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Current Condition & Accessibility
No modern wreck dive or discovery records. Wreckage likely destroyed in storm and salvaged, with no remaining site known.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”thomas-p-sheldon-us-24871-2″ title=”References & Links”]
The Thomas P. Sheldon stands out as a record-setting Saginaw-built bulk carrier, enduring heavy use and multiple incidents over three decades. Its demise reflects the risks of towing large lumber schooners during late-season gales. Its structural legacy and repeated rebuilds illustrate evolving maritime resilience in the late 19th century.
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
- Vessel name: Thomas P. Sheldon, official number 24871
- Built: 1871 at East Saginaw, Michigan by William Croswaith[e]
- Type: Three‑masted wooden schooner
- Dimensions:
- Length: 194 ft (59.1 m)
- Beam: 33 ft (10.1 m)
- Depth: 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Tonnage: 669.46 gross, 635.99 net
- Cargo capacity: Approx. 6,000,000 board‑feet of lumber
Vessel Type
A large, full‑rigged three‑masted schooner—at the time the largest ever built on the Saginaw River—designed as a bulk‑freight vessel, primarily for lumber transport.
Construction & Description
Single‑deck wooden schooner with extensive hold space. Built robustly to support heavy timber cargoes. The large hull and sail plan indicate long‑haul capability across the Great Lakes.
Operational History
- 19 Oct 1871: Grounded on Lake Huron early in service.
- 29 Oct 1874: Struck a reef at the Lime Kilns in the Detroit River; subsequently repaired.
- 1876: Registered to Brown et al. in Buffalo, NY.
- 18 Jun 1881: Collision with schooner Pensaukee in fog off Racine, Wisconsin—Lake Michigan.
- May–Aug 1886: Struck in St. Mary’s River; raised after sinking.
- 18 Nov 1886: Went ashore near Alpena, Michigan, Lake Huron.
- 3 Aug 1894: Sprung a leak off Keweenaw Point, Lake Superior.
- 10 Aug 1901: Final collision and sinking off AuSable Point, near Oscoda, MI, Lake Huron.
These events illustrate multiple rebuilds and heavy use over a 30-year career (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Final Disposition
On 10 August 1901, while under tow by the steamer Waverly, Thomas P. Sheldon was holed amid a storm close to shore off Oscoda. The towing steamer also ran aground, and during a subsequent storm on 25 August, the schooner broke apart in shallow water. Both vessels belonged to J.C. Gilchrist’s fleet. No loss of life reported (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Cargo & Service Role
Primarily carried iron ore and lumber on Great Lakes routes. Final voyage appears ore-laden under tow—a typical arrangement for large schooners of the era.
Located By & Date Found
No modern wreck dive or discovery records. Wreckage likely destroyed in storm and salvaged, with no remaining site known
Notices & Advisories
No current NOTMAR warnings; wreck site in shallow coastal waters likely removed or broken up beyond navigation hazard status.
Conclusion
The Thomas P. Sheldon stands out as a record-setting Saginaw-built bulk carrier, enduring heavy use and multiple incidents over three decades. Its demise reflects the risks of towing large lumber schooners during late-season gales. Its structural legacy and repeated rebuilds illustrate evolving maritime resilience in the late 19th century.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files entry — multiple incidents and final sinking (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Marine News Archives — reference to sinking and reconstruction events (marshcollection.org)