Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: W. C. Craig
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner, bulk freighter
- Year Built: 1857
- Builder: Likely in Michigan or Chicago area
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 468 tons
- Location: Michigan shoreline (exact point unnamed)
- Coordinates: Not available
- Official Number: Not recorded
- Original Owners: Magraw Brothers, Chicago
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Two-masted wooden schooner, bulk freighter—commonly used for iron ore transport.
Description
The W. C. Craig was a two-masted wooden schooner built in 1857, primarily engaged in the iron ore trade between Lake Superior and Chicago. At the time of her loss, she was registered out of Chicago and owned by the Magraw Brothers.
History
Operated on the Lake Superior-to-Chicago iron ore trade route, the W. C. Craig typically transported cargo from Escanaba to Cleveland. The vessel was known for its role in the booming iron ore industry of the time.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: 7 July 1869
- Voyage Route: Bound from Escanaba, MI to Cleveland, OH, carrying a full load of iron ore.
- In a sudden summer gale, she lost her way near a coastal point in Michigan, drifting and ultimately driven ashore.
- The crew attempted offloading cargo to refloat her, but she broke up on the rocks/shore and became a total loss.
Final Disposition
The vessel was declared a total wreck; cargo was jettisoned, and the hull was battered and broken up. No salvage of remains is known, and her registration was surrendered after the loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No modern archaeological survey, scan, or dive record exists for the W. C. Craig—wreck remains are considered lost or destroyed in shallow waters.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”w-c-craig-1857″ title=”References & Links”]
The schooner W. C. Craig was lost on 7 July 1869 while navigating from Escanaba to Cleveland loaded with iron ore. Driven ashore in a gale, the crew attempted cargo jettison to save her, but she broke up and was declared a total loss. Thankfully, no lives were lost. The vessel’s owner and master were the Magraw Brothers of Chicago, and no modern rediscovery of the wreck has been recorded.
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.
(built 1857 – wrecked 7 July 1869)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: W. C. Craig
- Official Number: (not recorded)
- Built: 1857 (likely in Michigan or Chicago area)
- Tonnage: 468 tons of iron ore at time of loss
- Type: Two‑masted wooden schooner, bulk freighter—commonly used for iron ore transport
Ownership & Trade
- Registered out of Chicago; Magraw Brothers were the owners and operated her as master and owner
- Operated on the Lake Superior‑to‑Chicago iron ore trade route, typically from Escanaba to Cleveland with ore
Final Voyage & Incident Details
- Date of Loss: 7 July 1869
- Voyage Route: Bound from Escanaba, MI → Cleveland, OH, carrying a full load of iron ore
- In a sudden summer gale, she lost her way near a coastal point in Michigan, drifting and ultimately driven ashore
- The crew attempted offloading cargo to refloat her, but she broke up on the rocks/shore and became a total loss (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, wisconsinshipwrecks.org, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Crew & Casualties
- Casualties: None—crew survived and presumably reached shore safely
- Rescue or shoreline evacuation covered by local lifesaving crews typical of such strandings
Disposition
- Vessel declared a total wreck; cargo jettisoned, hull battered and broken up
- No salvage of remains known; registration surrendered after loss
Rediscovery
- No modern archaeological survey, scan, or dive record exists for W. C. Craig—wreck remains are considered lost or destroyed in shallow waters
Summary Table
| Attribute | Description |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | W. C. Craig |
| Built | 1857 |
| Cargo | 468 tons of iron ore |
| Owner/Master | Magraw Brothers, Chicago |
| Loss Date | 7 July 1869 |
| Loss Location | Michigan shoreline (exact point unnamed) |
| Cause of Loss | Storm—lost way, grounded, broke up ashore |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Wreck Condition | Broke up ashore; total loss |
| Modern Rediscovery | None known |
Research Gaps & Archival Suggestions
Archival records for W. C. Craig are sparse. Key areas that may yield further detail include:
- HCGL vessel enrollment and incident logs (Bowling Green), to identify official number, master’s name, and ownership records
- Newspaper accounts of July 1869 from Michigan or Ohio (e.g. Escanaba Daily Press, Detroit Free Press, Cleveland Leader) for storm reports or eyewitness accounts
- Insurance or underwriter documentation, possibly in Chicago archives, relating to the iron ore shipment and prow
- Local U.S. Lifesaving Service station logs, which might record shore rescues following grounding events like this
Conclusion
The schooner W. C. Craig was lost on 7 July 1869 while navigating from Escanaba to Cleveland loaded with iron ore. Driven ashore in a gale, the crew attempted cargo jettison to save her, but she broke up and was declared a total loss. Thankfully, no lives were lost. The vessel’s owner and master were the Magraw Brothers of Chicago, and no modern rediscovery of the wreck has been recorded.
Let me know if you’d like help in exploring HCGL registers, newspaper microfilm, or underwriter archives for deeper information on crew or operational details.
w-c-craig-1857 1869-07-07 15:37:00