Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

William Raynor (1862)

Explore the wreck of the William Raynor, a resilient vessel that capsized in 1887 but was salvaged and rebuilt for continued service.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: William Raynor
  • Type: Wooden schooner-barge, later converted to tug and sandsucker
  • Year Built: 1862
  • Dimensions: ~227 tons (schooner-barge capacity); later 311 tons as tug
  • Registered Tonnage: 311 tons
  • Location: Near Bar Point, Lake Huron
  • Official Number: Not listed

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Originally built as a wooden schooner-barge, later rebuilt into a propeller tug and sandsucker around 1890. The vessel changed purpose to serve as a dredge support or small harbor tug.

Description

Records show that in October 1887, William Raynor capsized and sank near Bar Point during a gale after her cargo of lumber shifted. Her boiler reportedly exploded during sinking. The crew escaped in the yawl, and captain survived—later rescued by the steamer Chicago. Recovered and rebuilt in the spring of 1888, she reappeared as a tug/sandsucker.

History

William Raynor was built in 1862 and served initially as a schooner-barge. In October 1887, she capsized during a storm while carrying lumber, leading to her sinking. The vessel was salvaged and rebuilt in 1888, continuing her service into the 20th century.

Significant Incidents

  • Capsized and sank in October 1887 during a gale.
  • Reported boiler explosion during the sinking.
  • Crew survived and was rescued by the steamer Chicago.

Final Disposition

Rather than a permanent loss, she was salvaged and restored. The vessel served into the 20th century under modified structure, operating as a tug or sandsucker.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The capsizing incident was noted post-storm; no GPS of wreck site exists. The vessel was recovered from Lake Huron and rebuilt ashore. No long-term navigational markers were placed, and being salvaged, no hazard remains. Bar Point waters are known for shoal and storm activity.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

William Raynor foundered after capsizing in October 1887 near Bar Point, Lake Huron, with cargo of lumber. Despite damages—including an apparent boiler explosion—her crew survived, and she was recovered and rebuilt as a tug and sandsucker in 1890. The vessel’s resilience makes her case exceptional for salvage outcomes of the era.