Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Volunteer
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1899
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: ~23 grt
- Location: Off the coast near Grand Haven, Michigan
- Original Owners: U.S., based out of Grand Haven, Michigan
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Wooden schooner (~23 grt)
Description
The Volunteer was a wooden schooner built in 1899, primarily used for cargo and utility purposes. It was registered in the United States and operated out of Grand Haven, Michigan.
History
The Volunteer served as a representative example of the many minor cargo or utility schooners operating in storm-prone conditions on Lake Michigan’s coast. Its complete loss underscores the vulnerability of such vessels even near shore.
Significant Incidents
- Date: October 1, 1904
- Incident: Stranded during a storm and declared a total loss off the coast near Grand Haven, Lake Michigan.
- Casualties: None — all 3 crew members survived and were safely brought ashore.
Final Disposition
The Volunteer was declared a total loss after stranding during a storm. The crew was rescued without incident, highlighting the reliability of lifesaving services out of Grand Haven during this era.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, but it is likely that remains are located on the beach or near-shore. The site is currently unrecorded.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”volunteer-1899″ title=”References & Links”]
Although small, the Volunteer serves as a significant reminder of the challenges faced by vessels operating in the Great Lakes, particularly during severe weather conditions.
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.
Vessel Overview
- Type: Wooden schooner (~23 grt)
- Built: 1899
- Registry: U.S., based out of Grand Haven, Michigan
- Crew: 3 aboard — all survived
Final Voyage & Loss
- Date: October 1, 1904
- Incident: Stranded during a storm and declared a total loss off the coast near Grand Haven, Lake Michigan.
- Casualties: None — all 3 crew members survived and were safely brought ashore.
Note: Great Lakes Shipwreck Files originally noted “stranded and total loss; none of 3,” aligning with known shipwreck listings. A similar schooner named Volunteer is recorded as “stranded in Badin Harbor, Michigan; all three survived” in maritime listings from late 1904 (visitdrummondisland.com, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org).
Significance
- Although small, the Volunteer serves as a representative example of the many minor cargo or utility schooners operating in storm-prone conditions on Lake Michigan’s coast.
- Its complete loss underscores the vulnerability of such vessels even near shore.
- The safe rescue of her crew highlights the reliability of lifesaving services out of Grand Haven during this era.
Research & Survey Directions
| Research Focus | Suggested Steps |
|---|---|
| Archival Newspaper Search | Check Grand Haven Tribune (Oct 1904) for grounding report, crew rescue details, and possibly exact location. |
| Lifesaving Service Logs | Request records from U.S. Lifesaving Station Grand Haven for October 1904 rescue incident. |
| Registry & Build Records | Locate enrollment or build documentation from 1899 — may include owner, purpose, and construction details. |
| Wreck Site Survey | If the grounding location is identified, conduct a shallow-water shoreline survey with side-scan sonar or direct dive exploration to locate any surviving wreck remnants. |
Summary
- Name: Volunteer
- Built: 1899, wooden schooner (~23 grt)
- Lost: October 1, 1904 — stranded in a storm off Grand Haven
- Fate: Total loss; crew survived
- Remains: Likely beach or near-shore remains; site currently unrecorded