Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Wayne
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Year Built: 1848
• Builder: H. Doville, Sodus, New York
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 56 tons
• Location: Near Au Sable Point, Lake Huron, Michigan
• Coordinates: Unknown
• Official Number: 26359
• Original Owners: Unknown
• Number of Masts: Schooner rigged

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Wayne was a wooden schooner, a type of sailing vessel characterized by its two or more masts and a rigging system that allowed for efficient navigation on the Great Lakes.

Description

The Wayne was a small wooden schooner built in 1848 in Sodus, New York, by H. Doville. She was primarily used for lumber transport across the Great Lakes, moving timber from Michigan to markets in Chicago, Cleveland, and Buffalo. The vessel also engaged in general cargo shipping, possibly carrying grain, coal, or iron ore when not hauling lumber.

History

The Wayne operated on regional trade routes between Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and Lake Huron ports. Due to her modest size of 56 tons, she was likely a short-haul vessel used by lumber companies or small merchants.

Significant Incidents

• Date of Loss: 1875
• Location: Au Sable Point, near Au Sable, Michigan, Lake Huron
• Cause: Storm
• Cargo at Loss: Lumber
• Loss of Life: Unknown

Final Disposition

While en route to Chicago, the Wayne encountered a storm near Au Sable Point, Michigan. The strong winds and rough waters caused her to strand and wreck along the shoreline. It is unclear if any crew members survived or perished, as records do not confirm casualties. Given her wooden construction, the vessel likely broke apart on the shore and was either salvaged or destroyed by the elements.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Wayne was likely destroyed by wave action and sand erosion over time. Some remnants of wooden hull structures may be buried along the shoreline. Metal fittings such as anchors, chains, and iron fastenings could still exist on the lakebed near the wreck site. No confirmed modern discoveries of the Wayne’s wreck have been documented.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The Wayne (1848–1875) was a wooden schooner used for lumber transport, operating between Michigan and Chicago. She was lost in a storm near Au Sable Point, Lake Huron, and wrecked along the shore. Though few details remain about her final voyage, she represents the many small schooners that fueled the Great Lakes timber trade. Her remains may still exist beneath the shifting sands of Michigan’s coastline.