Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Topsy
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: F. Leighton, Port Huron, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 101 ft (30.8 m); Beam: 25 ft (7.62 m); Depth of hold: 8 ft (2.44 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 146 tons (146 t)
- Location: Near Waugoschance Point, western Straits of Mackinac
- Official Number: 24578
- Original Owners: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
• Type: Wooden schooner
Description
Description
The Topsy was a wooden schooner built in 1867 by F. Leighton in Port Huron, Michigan. The vessel was 101 feet long, 25 feet wide, and had a depth of 8 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 146 tons and a net tonnage of 139 tons, which placed it in the smaller range of Great Lakes schooners. At the time of its loss, the Topsy was carrying a hold and deckload of lumber. On June 9, 1891, while downbound near Waugoschance Point in the western Straits of Mackinac, the Topsy encountered a fierce storm. The storm caused the vessel to strand, and despite the crew’s efforts to escape, the ship was wrecked. Fortunately, all crew members survived the ordeal. However, the Topsy was a total loss, valued at approximately $3,000.
History
History
The Topsy was constructed in 1867 and served in the lumber trade on the Great Lakes. Its design as a wooden schooner made it suitable for carrying cargo, particularly lumber, which was a significant trade in the region during that period.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- June 9, 1891: The Topsy was wrecked during a storm near Waugoschance Point, resulting in a total loss of the vessel.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The Topsy was wrecked after stranding near Waugoschance Point. While the crew managed to escape, the vessel was a total loss. There is no indication of recovery efforts for the wreck, and the Topsy‘s remains were likely left at the site. The incident highlights the perilous nature of navigating the Straits of Mackinac, especially during storms.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
There are no reports of the Topsy being rediscovered or recovered. The wreck was most likely left at the site near Waugoschance Point, which remains a historical marker of maritime danger in the western Straits of Mackinac.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”topsy-us-24578″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
Conclusion
The Topsy was a wooden schooner that met its end on June 9, 1891, when it stranded and wrecked near Waugoschance Point in the western Straits of Mackinac. The vessel, carrying a load of lumber, was caught in a storm, and although the crew survived, the schooner was a total loss. The Topsy‘s wreck stands as a reminder of the dangerous conditions in the Straits and the risks faced by sailors navigating the Great Lakes during 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.
TOPSY – Shipwreck Information
- Official No.: 24578
- Other Names: None (also seen as “Topsey”)
- Type at Loss: Wooden schooner
- Built: 1867, F. Leighton, Port Huron, Michigan
- Specifications: Length: 101 ft (30.8 m) Beam: 25 ft (7.62 m) Depth: 8 ft (2.44 m)
- Gross Tonnage: 146 tons (146 t)
- Net Tonnage: 139 tons (139 t)
- Date of Loss: June 9, 1891
- Place of Loss: Near Waugoschance Point, western Straits of Mackinac
- • Lake: Michigan
- • Type of Loss: Storm
- • Loss of Life: None
- • Cargo: Lumber
- • Owner at Time of Loss: Not specified
- • Captain at Time of Loss: Not specified
Vessel Type
• Type: Wooden schooner
Description
The Topsy was a wooden schooner built in 1867 by F. Leighton in Port Huron, Michigan. The vessel was 101 feet long, 25 feet wide, and had a depth of 8 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 146 tons and a net tonnage of 139 tons, which placed it in the smaller range of Great Lakes schooners. At the time of its loss, the Topsy was carrying a hold and deckload of lumber. On June 9, 1891, while downbound near Waugoschance Point in the western Straits of Mackinac, the Topsy encountered a fierce storm. The storm caused the vessel to strand, and despite the crew’s efforts to escape, the ship was wrecked. Fortunately, all crew members survived the ordeal. However, the Topsy was a total loss, valued at approximately $3,000.
Final Dispositions
The Topsy was wrecked after stranding near Waugoschance Point. While the crew managed to escape, the vessel was a total loss. There is no indication of recovery efforts for the wreck, and the Topsy‘s remains were likely left at the site. The incident highlights the perilous nature of navigating the Straits of Mackinac, especially during storms.
Located By & Date Found
There are no reports of the Topsy being rediscovered or recovered. The wreck was most likely left at the site near Waugoschance Point, which remains a historical marker of maritime danger in the western Straits of Mackinac.
Notable Marks & Advisories
There are no specific navigational advisories or marks currently associated with the wreck of the Topsy, as the vessel was stranded and wrecked in 1891. The location of Waugoschance Point remains an important reference point for maritime navigation, but the wreck itself no longer poses a hazard.
Resources & Links
- David Swyaze Shipwreck FIle
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Shipwrecks and Survivals
- The Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Wikipedia Waugoschance Point
Conclusion
The Topsy was a wooden schooner that met its end on June 9, 1891, when it stranded and wrecked near Waugoschance Point in the western Straits of Mackinac. The vessel, carrying a load of lumber, was caught in a storm, and although the crew survived, the schooner was a total loss. The Topsy‘s wreck stands as a reminder of the dangerous conditions in the Straits and the risks faced by sailors navigating the Great Lakes during the late 19th century.
topsy-us-24578 1891-06-09 07:55:00