Charles A. King (Built 1878 – Lost September 26, 1895)

Identification & Site Information

• Name(s): Charles A. King
• Registry: United States
• Year built: 1878, as a two‑masted wooden Schooner, approximately 139 ft (42 m) long (doubleactiondivecharters.com)
• Vessel type: Wooden two‑masted Schooner, used for bulk cargo
• Hull material: Wood
• Date lost: September 26, 1895
• Location: Off Presque Isle, Michigan, Lake Huron (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
• Cargo at loss: Coal, no passengers noted
• Casualties: None of the six crew were lost; all rescued (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, en.wikipedia.org)
• Depth: Sits in over 200 ft (61 m) of water (en.wikipedia.org)

Vessel Type & Description

A classic Great Lakes wooden Schooner, built in 1878 at 139 ft (42 m) in length, rigged with two masts for hauling bulk cargo—primarily coal. Schooners of this size typically had a crew of six and were robustly built for mid‑lake voyages.

History

Served nearly 17 years as a dependable Schooner in Great Lakes freight trade. On her final voyage in September 1895, she was carrying a full load of coal bound for Michigan ports. Encountered a severe northeast gale which led to foundering off Presque Isle (doubleactiondivecharters.com).

Final Dispositions

The Schooner sprang a severe leak during the gale and rapidly filled. The crew Abandoned ship and were rescued—there were no casualties. The Charles A. King sank Stern‑first, settling intact in deep water.

Located By & Date Found

The wreck was located in 2008 by technical divers at a depth of over 61 m (200 ft) (doubleactiondivecharters.com, m.facebook.com).

NOTMARs & Advisories

None recorded; the wreck lies deep offshore and is typically not a navigation concern.

Shore Dive Information

• Access: Boat dive only
• Depth range: 61–65 m (200–215 ft)
• Visibility & Conditions: Cold, clear water; limited light penetration. Suitable for experienced technical divers.
• Site Condition: Generally intact Hull; timber structure remains with visible masts; coal cargo still present.
• Skill Level: Technical wreck dive only (requires bottom-life support and decompression procedures)
• Regulations: Falls under U.S. maritime heritage laws; removal of artifacts prohibited

Resources & Links

• Shipwreck Explorers – Wreck and dive details (shipwreckexplorers.com)
• Double Action Dive Charters – Historical & discovery notes (doubleactiondivecharters.com)

Conclusion

The Charles A. King offers a remarkable technical dive opportunity: a deep, intact Schooner resting in Lake Huron’s depths since her foundering in the 1895 NE gale. Its preservation in cold freshwater and cargo of coal make it a historically significant and visually compelling wreck for advanced divers.

Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms

Wooden Schooner; coal cargo; Lake Huron deep wreck; 1895 gale; technical dive; Presque Isle wreck; intact Hull; late‑19th‑century Schooner.