Waurecan US 62107

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Waurecan
• Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge (Bulk Freight Carrier)
• Year Built: 1857
• Builder: S. Hingston, Buffalo, New York
• Dimensions: Length: 135 ft (41.1 m); Beam: 30 ft (9.1 m); Depth of hold: 10 ft (3 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 371 tons
• Location: Port Austin Reef, Lake Huron, off Port Austin, Michigan
• Official Number: 62107
• Original Owners: Likely involved in Great Lakes lumber and bulk cargo trade

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge (Bulk Freight Carrier)

Description

The Waurecan was originally constructed in Buffalo, New York, in 1857 as a sailing schooner. By the 1870s, she was converted into a schooner-barge, meaning she no longer carried sails and was towed behind steamers for efficiency. She was used in the lumber trade, transporting timber from Michigan sawmills to markets along the Great Lakes.

Frequently hauled lumber from Saginaw, Michigan, a major lumber production hub. Likely delivered cargo to Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, or Chicago, where lumber was in high demand.

History

Final Voyage and Loss: The Waurecan was being towed by the steamer Trader, heading downbound from Saginaw with a load of lumber. A violent storm struck Lake Huron, making it difficult for the Trader to hold its course with the Waurecan in tow. The towline parted, leaving the Waurecan adrift in the storm. The schooner-barge was pushed onto Port Austin Reef, where she foundered and began breaking apart. The crew endured 12 hours of exposure to the freezing gale before being rescued by the tug Home. Due to severe frostbite, many crew members later required amputations of feet and ears.

Significant Incidents

• Date of Loss: November 29, 1875
• Location: Port Austin Reef, Lake Huron, off Port Austin, Michigan
• Cause: Broke tow during a storm and foundered
• Cargo at Loss: Lumber
• Loss of Life: None, but severe frostbite injuries among the crew

Final Disposition

The wooden hull likely broke apart and was scattered by waves over time. Some remnants of the cargo (lumber) and ship fittings may remain on the lakebed. Given its location in relatively shallow waters, remains of the Waurecan could still be present. Diving and sonar exploration in the Port Austin Reef area may reveal artifacts or hull remnants.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Waurecan wreck site is located at Port Austin Reef, Lake Huron, near Port Austin, Michigan. The current condition of the wreck is uncertain, but it is believed that the wooden hull has deteriorated significantly over time.

Resources & Links

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The Waurecan (1857–1875) was a wooden schooner-barge that played a key role in Michigan’s lumber trade before meeting her tragic fate in a Lake Huron storm. After breaking tow from the steamer Trader, she foundered on Port Austin Reef, leaving her crew stranded in freezing conditions for 12 hours before rescue. Though no lives were lost, several crew members suffered severe frostbite, leading to amputations. Her remains may still exist in the Port Austin Reef area, making her an important part of Michigan’s shipwreck history.