(wooden Schooner, built 1864)

Identification & Vessel Details

  • Name: David Provost
  • Official Number: 6384
  • Built: 1864 by Squires, Huron, Ohio
  • Vessel Type: Two-masted wooden Schooner
  • Dimensions: Approximately 89 ft × 22 ft × 7 ft; ~99 GRT
  • Owner (at loss): Registered out of Detroit, ownership attributed to Carron (or Capron)
  • Registry Status: Lost in 1887; never re-entered into records (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Final Incident – September 12, 1887

Post-Loss Events

  • The David Provost was raised twice, likely as salvage attempts to recover the Hull or cargo
  • After each raise, she sank again—indicating significant structural damage or persistent leaks
  • Ultimately, she remained unrecoverable and was Abandoned on the lake bottom (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia)

Final Disposition

  • Declared: Constructive Total Loss
  • Salvage: Planned but unsuccessful; Hull Abandoned underwater
  • Registry: Struck following the 1887 incident; vessel never repaired or returned to service

Archival Sources

Research Gaps & Opportunities

  • Crew Manifest & Roles: Names, ranks, and testimonies are not documented. Chatham newspaper archives (e.g., Chatham Daily News, Sept 1887) may contain survivor accounts.
  • Salvage Records: Details on who attempted salvage, under whose authority, and technical reports may appear in Detroit port or marine insurance ledgers.
  • Final Wreck Location: Precise coordinates are unspecified; sonar mapping and Lake Huron charts could help identify debris field near Detour Passage.
  • Condition Reports: Survey examination of underwater remains could reveal Hull failure points and extent of damage.

Summary

The Schooner David Provost launched in 1864 Foundered on Lake Huron amid stormy conditions on September 12, 1887, en route from Chatham to Sault Ste. Marie. Despite raising attempts, she sank twice and was ultimately declared a Total Loss. The crew survived, and the wreck remains on the lakebed near Detour Passage. Further archival research—such as crew lists, salvage documentation, and survey efforts—could provide additional insights into the vessel’s final hours and condition.