Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: W. S. Nelson
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1855
- Builder: Lafrinier & Stevenson, Cleveland, Ohio
- Dimensions: Approximately 136 ft × 26 ft × 11 ft (41 m × 7.9 m × 3.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 378 tons burden (~384 metric tonnes)
- Location: Near Presque Isle, Michigan
- Coordinates: Not recorded
- Official Number: None known
- Original Owners: Wm. Baldwin & Co.
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A two-masted wooden schooner designed for cargo transportation, particularly grain, across the Great Lakes.
Description
The *W. S. Nelson* was constructed in 1855 by Lafrinier & Stevenson in Cleveland, Ohio. It measured approximately 136 ft by 26 ft by 11 ft and was rated at 378 tons burden. The vessel was primarily used for transporting grain.
History
Owned by Wm. Baldwin & Co. out of Oswego, New York, the *W. S. Nelson* had a limited operational history documented beyond its registry and loss data. On **October 22, 1861**, a severe gale struck Lake Huron, causing the *W. S. Nelson* and eight other schooners to be driven ashore near Presque Isle, Michigan. The vessel grounded and subsequently broke up over several days, but all crew members survived the incident.
Significant Incidents
- On October 22, 1861, the *W. S. Nelson* was driven ashore by a severe gale, resulting in its grounding and eventual breakup.
Final Disposition
After being driven ashore, the *W. S. Nelson* was abandoned and deteriorated over the following days, leading to its declaration as a total loss. No salvage records are available.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No known discovery or site survey has been recorded for the *W. S. Nelson*, and it remains unlocated in official maritime wreck databases.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”w-s-nelson-1855″ title=”References & Links”]
The *W. S. Nelson* serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, particularly during severe weather events. Its story highlights the importance of maritime safety and the need for continued research into the region’s shipwrecks.
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.
Lead Image
Identification Card (Site Style)
Other Names: None recorded
Official Number: None known (not listed in registry entries)
Registry: Presumed U.S. registry (not further specified)
Vessel Type: Two‑masted wooden schooner
Builder: Lafrinier & Stevenson, Cleveland, Ohio
Year Built: 1855
Dimensions: Approximately 136 ft × 26 ft × 11 ft (41 m × 7.9 m × 3.4 m)
Tonnage: 378 tons burden (~384 metric tonnes)
Cargo on Final Voyage: Grain
Date of Loss: 22 October 1861
Location: Near Presque Isle, Michigan, Lake Huron
Coordinates: Not recorded
Depth: Shore grounding; depth minimal (likely very shallow)
Home Port: Oswego, New York
Owners: Wm. Baldwin & Co.
Crew: Unknown exact number
Casualties: None — all crew survived
Description
A mid‑19th-century two‑masted wooden schooner constructed in 1855 by Lafrinier & Stevenson in Cleveland, Ohio. Measured approximately 136 ft by 26 ft by 11 ft and rated at 378 tons burden. Designed for cargo transportation, particularly grain, across the Great Lakes.History
Owned and operated by Wm. Baldwin & Co., out of Oswego, New York, the *W. S. Nelson* carried grain across Lake Huron. The vessel’s operational history remains sparsely documented beyond registry and loss data.
On **22 October 1861**, an extraordinarily severe gale struck Lake Huron, driving *W. S. Nelson* and eight other schooners ashore near Presque Isle, Michigan. The vessel grounded and subsequently broke up over several days. Miraculously, the entire crew survived.
Final Disposition
Abandoned after being driven ashore, the schooner deteriorated and broke apart over the following days. It was declared a total loss; no salvage records are available.
Located By & Date Found
No known discovery or site survey recorded—remains unlocated in official maritime wreck databases.
Notmars & Advisories
None recorded in navigational hazard bulletins or later notices.
Dive Information
Access: Shore and extremely shallow
Entry Point: Not specified
Conditions: Likely dangerous during storms; no dive surveys recorded
Depth Range: Very shallow (< a few feet/meters)
Emergency Contacts: Not applicable
Permits: Not applicable
Dive Support: Not applicable
Crew & Casualty Memorials
Crew survived the incident. No names, burial, or memorials were located in Find A Grave or other databases.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“W. S. Nelson … driven ashore — along with eight other schooners — by a terrific gale and broke up over the next few days. Out of Oswego, owned by Wm. Baldwin & Co.” :
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Official Number: None recorded
Registry Logs: Listed in Great Lakes Shipwreck Files but missing detailed enrollment records. Further archival searches (Oswego port records, HCGL files) are needed.
Site Documentation & Imaging
None known—no engravings, site photos, or virtual documentation found.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – N list
- LinkstothePast.com – Chapter on regional maritime incidents
- Find A Grave
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
- Newspapers.com
References
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – entry on *W. S. Nelson*: 1855 build by Lafrinier & Stevenson; loss on October 22, 1861 near Presque Isle; crew survived; owned by Wm. Baldwin & Co.NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: None recorded
Official Number: None
Coordinates: Unknown
Depth: Very shallow (shore grounding)
Location Description: Grounded near Presque Isle, Lake Huron
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner
Material: Wood
Dimensions: 136 ft × 26 ft × 11 ft; 378 tons
Condition: Broke up; total loss
Cause of Loss: Storm (gale-driven ashore)
Discovery Date: October 22, 1861 (incident); no discovery survey
Discovered By: N/A
Method: N/A
Legal Notes: None recorded
Hazards: None documented
Permits Required: N/A