Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Thomas S. Mott
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1862
- Builder: George Goble
- Dimensions: 137 ft (41.76 m) length × 26 ft (7.92 m) beam × 12 ft (3.66 m) depth; ~431 old-style gross tons (~326 GT re-measured)
- Registered Tonnage: 431 tons
- Location: Approximately 0.5 mile above Ludington, MI
- Official Number: 24 394
- Original Owners: D. Mannering, Oswego, NY; later M. Wheeler of Oswego
- Number of Masts: Two masts
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Thomas S. Mott was a wooden schooner, characterized by its single deck and two masts, typical of the 19th-century Great Lakes trading vessels.
Description
Built in 1862 by George Goble in Oswego, New York, the Thomas S. Mott measured 137 feet in length, 26 feet in beam, and had a depth of 12 feet. Originally registered at approximately 431 gross tons, it was a vessel designed for transporting cargo, primarily wheat.
History
The operational history of the Thomas S. Mott includes several notable events. It was enrolled at Oswego, NY, on August 11, 1862, under its original ownership. In 1863, while transporting salt, it grounded in Chicago but was refloated. The vessel was re-measured in 1865 at 326.34 tons gross. In 1866, it was sold to M. Wheeler of Oswego. A significant incident occurred in 1870 when it collided with the brig Express on Lake Michigan and was repaired in Milwaukee. The final incident took place on October 28, 1874, when it ran aground near Ludington, MI, while transporting wheat and was subsequently driven ashore by gale conditions.
Significant Incidents
- 1863: Grounded in Chicago while transporting salt; refloated.
- 1870: Collision with brig Express on Lake Michigan; repaired in Milwaukee.
- 1874: Lost run aground near Ludington, MI, while transporting wheat; crew rescued by steamship Bertschy.
Final Disposition
The Thomas S. Mott was declared a total loss after it ran aground on October 28, 1874. The vessel was carrying wheat consigned to Buffalo, NY, at the time of its loss. The crew was rescued, and salvage operations were conducted, recovering rigging in the spring of 1875. The vessel’s enrollment likely closed shortly after the incident.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is located near the shoreline of Ludington, MI. The current state of the wreck is uncertain, with wooden hull remnants likely dispersed and subject to seasonal ice and wave erosion. Observations suggest possible shore debris or hull fragments, but the exact remains are unconfirmed. The archaeological potential is considered low due to the uncertainty of surviving structures.
Resources & Links
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The Thomas S. Mott serves as a representative vessel of the 19th-century Great Lakes wheat trade, illustrating the vulnerabilities of wooden sailing vessels to extreme weather conditions. Its loss highlights the risks associated with maritime trade and contributed to safety reforms in coastal navigation.
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