Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Yankee US 27625

Explore the remains of the Yankee, a small scow-schooner lost in a storm off Port Elgin, Ontario, in 1893. A dive into history awaits.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Yankee
  • Type: Scow-schooner
  • Year Built: 1884
  • Builder: J. Huxtable, Sand Beach, Michigan (now Harbor Beach)
  • Dimensions: 38 ft (11.6 m) x 12 ft (3.7 m) x 4 ft (1.2 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 12 GT
  • Location: Off Port Elgin, Ontario, Lake Huron
  • Official Number: 27625
  • Original Owners: Mills Transit Company of Port Huron, Michigan
  • Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Yankee was a two-masted scow-schooner, a type of vessel known for its ability to navigate shallow waters and transport various cargoes.

Description

The Yankee was built in 1884 by J. Huxtable in Sand Beach, Michigan. Scow-schooners like her were commonly used for short-haul transport along the Great Lakes, particularly for materials such as lumber, coal, and stone.

History

Owned by the Mills Transit Company of Port Huron, Michigan, the Yankee was towed by steam tugs, which allowed for extended operational range while conserving sail power.

Significant Incidents

  • Loss Date: September 17, 1893
  • Location of Loss: Off Port Elgin, Ontario, Lake Huron
  • Cause of Loss: Storm
  • Loss of Life: None mentioned
  • Cargo at Time of Loss: Light (no significant cargo)

Final Disposition

During a storm on September 17, 1893, the Yankee was towed by the tug Jessie alongside the barge Bahama when they were driven ashore near Port Elgin. The Bahama may have been salvaged, but the Yankee was deemed unsalvageable and abandoned after failed recovery efforts.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No known discovery of wreckage; the vessel was abandoned and likely disintegrated over time. There are no known hazards or modern navigational warnings related to this vessel.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”yankee-us-27625″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The Yankee serves as a reminder of the many small vessels that contributed to Great Lakes commerce. Though her remains may no longer exist, her story continues to resonate with those who explore the waters of Lake Huron.

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.

Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Yankee
  • Official Number: 27625
  • Vessel Type at Loss: Scow-schooner, wood, 2-mast
  • Builder: J. Huxtable, Sand Beach, Michigan (now Harbor Beach)
  • Year Built & Launched: 1884
  • Specifications: 38 ft (11.6 m) x 12 ft (3.7 m) x 4 ft (1.2 m)
  • Gross Tonnage: 12 GT
  • Net Tonnage: 11 NT
  • Date Lost: September 17, 1893
  • Location of Loss: Off Port Elgin, Ontario, Lake Huron
  • Cause of Loss: Storm
  • Loss of Life: None mentioned
  • Cargo at Time of Loss: Light (no significant cargo)

Vessel Description & History

The Yankee was a small, two-masted scow-schooner built in 1884 by shipbuilder J. Huxtable in Sand Beach, Michigan (modern-day Harbor Beach). Scow-schooners were popular during this era for their versatility in navigating shallow waters and their ability to transport a variety of cargoes, particularly lumber, coal, and stone. Due to her small size, the Yankee was likely used for short-haul transport along the Michigan and Ontario shorelines of Lake Huron.

She was owned by the Mills Transit Company of Port Huron, Michigan, a firm engaged in shipping bulk materials throughout the Great Lakes. Scow-schooners like the Yankee were often towed by steam tugs, extending their operational range while allowing them to conserve sail power.

Final Disposition

On September 17, 1893, the Yankee was being towed by the tug Jessie alongside the barge Bahama when a powerful storm struck Lake Huron. The storm drove both vessels ashore near Port Elgin, Ontario. While the Bahama was also stranded, it appears that she may have been salvaged or refloated, whereas the Yankee was deemed unsalvageable.

Efforts to free the Yankee failed, and she remained stranded through the winter. The following year, she was officially abandoned, likely left to break apart in the rough waters of Lake Huron.

Located By & Date Found

No known discovery of wreckage; the vessel was abandoned and likely disintegrated over time.

Notmars & Advisories

No known hazards or modern navigational warnings related to this vessel.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Yankee was a typical example of the small scow-schooners that once plied the waters of the Great Lakes. Though not a particularly large or famous vessel, her loss is a reminder of the many small ships that played a vital role in Great Lakes commerce. Stranded in a storm off Port Elgin, Ontario, she was abandoned after salvage attempts failed, and her remains have likely long since disappeared.

yankee-us-27625 1893-09-17 07:55:00