Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: William H. Vanderbilt
- Type: Three-masted wooden cargo schooner/barkentine
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: Samuel J. Tripp (Hoyt Shipyard), Saginaw, MI
- Dimensions: Length 169 ft (51.5 m); Beam 34.5-35 ft (10.5 m); Depth of hold 12.6 ft (3.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage: ~520.65 tons gross
- Depth at Wreck Site: 9 m / 30 ft
- Location: Off Long Point, Lake Erie
- Official Number: 26842
- Original Owners: Weaver & Moss; Morse & McDougall; S.L. Watson
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The William H. Vanderbilt is classified as a three-masted wooden cargo schooner/barkentine, designed for the transportation of goods across the Great Lakes.
Description
Launched on April 20, 1867, in East Saginaw, Michigan, the William H. Vanderbilt was built by Samuel J. Tripp at the Hoyt Shipyard. The vessel was rebuilt in 1871 after grounding near Chicago. It measured 169 feet in length, with a beam of 34.5 to 35 feet and a depth of 12.6 feet.
History
The original owner of the William H. Vanderbilt was Weaver & Moss of Buffalo, NY. Between 1871 and 1876, it was owned by Morse & McDougall of Saginaw, MI. By 1878, it was owned by S.L. Watson, also from Buffalo, NY. The vessel primarily engaged in the grain trade across the Great Lakes until it was converted for iron ore trade on Lake Superior.
Significant Incidents
- Grounded near Chicago in 1871, leading to a significant rebuild.
- Lost masts on April 11, 1878, near Cheboygan, Lake Huron.
Final Disposition
The William H. Vanderbilt foundered in a gale off Long Point on September 25, 1883, while carrying iron ore from Escanaba, MI, to Buffalo, NY. The crew was successfully rescued by a lifeboat from the Long Point lighthouse. The vessel was valued between $18,000 and $20,000 and was insured for $15,000. The cargo of iron ore was uninsured.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of 1887, a salvage effort by the schooner Louise recovered approximately 200 tons of iron ore from the wreck site. The remaining ore and hull were left in place. The wreck lies in approximately 26 to 30 feet of water.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”william-h-vanderbilt-us-26842″ title=”References & Links”]
The wreck of the William H. Vanderbilt serves as a historical reminder of the maritime trade in the Great Lakes and the challenges faced by vessels 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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Vessel Name: William H. Vanderbilt (officially registered as W.H. Vanderbilt)
- Official Number: 26842 (Marsh Collection)
- Wreck Location: Off Long Point, Lake Erie; approximately 30 ft (9 m) of water
- Foundering Date: 25 September 1883 (Marsh Collection)
Vessel Type & Construction
- Type: Three‑masted, wooden cargo schooner/barkentine
- Launched: 20 April 1867, East Saginaw, Michigan
- Builder: Samuel J. Tripp (Hoyt Shipyard), Saginaw, MI (Links to the Past, Marsh Collection, NASA Technical Reports Server)
- Rebuilt: 1871 after grounding near Chicago (Links to the Past)
- Dimensions:
- Length: 169 ft (51.5 m)
- Beam: 34.5–35 ft (10.5 m)
- Depth: 12.6 ft (3.8 m) (Marsh Collection)
- Tonnage: ~520.65 tons gross
- Home Port: Buffalo, New York (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Ownership History
- Original Owner (1867): Weaver & Moss, Buffalo, NY
- 1871–76: Owned by Morse & McDougall, Saginaw, MI
- By 1878: Owned by S.L. Watson, Buffalo, NY (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Operational History
- 1867–71: Grain trade across Great Lakes
- 1871: Grounded near Chicago—rebuilt same year (Marsh Collection)
- Post-1878: Converted for iron‑ore trade on Lake Superior
- 11 April 1878: Lost masts near Cheboygan, Lake Huron (Links to the Past)
Final Voyage & Sinking
- Route: From Escanaba, MI to Buffalo, NY carrying iron ore
- Incident: Foundered in gale off Long Point on 25 September 1883
- Crew: Successfully rescued—Long Point lighthouse lifeboat retrieved them (Marsh Collection)
- Vessel Value: $18,000–20,000; insured for $15,000
- Cargo: Iron ore (consigned to Lackawanna Railroad Co.), uninsured
Salvage & Site Condition
- 1887 Salvage Effort: The schooner Louise recovered ~200 tons of iron ore; remaining ore and hull left in place. Wreck lies in ~26–30 ft of water
Summary at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | William H. Vanderbilt |
| Official No. | 26842 |
| Type | 3‑mast wooden schooner/barkentine |
| Built | April 1867, East Saginaw MI |
| Rebuilt | 1871 |
| Owner | S.L. Watson (Buffalo NY) |
| Dimensions | 169 × 34.5 × 12.6 ft |
| Tonnage | ~520 tons |
| Cargo | Iron ore |
| Foundered | 25 Sep 1883 off Long Point |
| Depth & Site | ~30 ft water in Lake Erie |
| Salvaged | Partially—1887 (~200 tons ore) |
| Crew | Rescued; no fatalities |
Archival & Research Links
- Port Huron Daily Times, 26 Sept 1883 – initial sinking notice.
- Marine Record, 27 Sept 1883; 4 Oct 1883; 27 Dec 1883 – vessel data, ownership, value, and insurance (Marsh Collection)
- Inland Lloyds Vessel Register, 1882 edition – built details & registry info (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – summary of sinking and salvage records (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Next Steps & Research Gaps
- Newspaper scans & original articles: retrieve Port Huron Daily Times and Marine Record September–December 1883 issues.
- Shipping manifests & insurance records: investigate Crosby & Dimick agency archives for coverage details.
- Lackawanna Railroad correspondence: confirm cargo status and compensation after loss.
- Long Point lifeboat station records: locate log entries for rescue operations.
- Wreck dive surveys: obtain modern sonar/imaging to confirm hull remains and cargo dispersal.