Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Vincennes
- Type: Wooden scow-schooner
- Year Built: 1846
- Builder:
- Dimensions: 60-80 ft (18.3-24.4 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Michigan shoreline
- Original Owners: Sims & Co., Michigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A mid-19th-century wooden scow-schooner—flat-bottomed, shallow draft—for transporting heavy bulk cargo in harbor and near-shore environments. Estimated about 60-80 ft long with modest sailing rig; built primarily for work, not speed.
Description
While seeking shelter or navigating during a storm on November 1, 1857, Vincennes was driven ashore—likely onto bars or rocky shoals—where the pounding surf destroyed her hull. There are no details on crew survival, but “none mentioned” implies all hands were saved or no fatalities occurred.
History
The vessel was declared a total loss. Registry was closed soon after, with no salvage or rescue noted. Her remains likely remain scattered in shallow shoreline debris zones, unrecorded in modern databases.
Significant Incidents
- Driven ashore during a storm on November 1, 1857.
- Insured value at approximately US $2,500 at the time.
- No crew casualties recorded.
Final Disposition
The vessel was declared a total loss. Registry was closed soon after, with no salvage or rescue noted. Her remains likely remain scattered in shallow shoreline debris zones, unrecorded in modern databases.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is unlocated; remains are presumed scattered in shallow nearshore areas.
Resources & Links
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Vincennes exemplifies small-scale working vessels integral to mid-19th-century Great Lakes trade—critical for transporting materials but vulnerable to weather and shoreline hazards. Her destruction also reflects the economic risks faced by owners and insurers prior to modern weather forecasting and navigational aids.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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