Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Die Vernon
  • Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
  • Built: 1857
  • Final Voyage & Loss: 30–31 October 1868, Lake Huron (exact location unrecorded)
  • Cargo: 18,000 bushels of wheat
  • Circumstances: Caught in a storm; driven ashore and wrecked, Total Loss. Following her grounding, several other vessels were delayed in rescue/salvage operations. (gutenberg.org, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, glc.org)
  • Casualties: None reported.

Vessel Type & Description

A mid‑19th‑century wooden Schooner built in 1857, Die Vernon was used primarily for bulk grain transport across the Great Lakes. With a capacity of about 18,000 bushels, she was a sizeable freighter of her era.

Final Disposition

Driven ashore during the storm and wrecked beyond repair. The value of both vessel and cargo was entirely lost. Salvage attempts were likely insufficient, and the ship probably broke up on the shoreline or in shallow water.

Located By & Date Found

No records of any modern rediscovery, surveys, or archival identification exist. The wreck’s site remains unknown and uncharted.

Notations & Advisories

  • The grounding zone is not marked on current nautical charts.
  • Loss attributed to storm-driven stranding, aligning with numerous late‑October wrecks in Lake Huron during that period.

Conclusion

Die Vernon was lost during a storm on 30–31 October 1868, after being driven ashore with a full wheat cargo. The vessel was declared a Total Loss, and no casualties were reported. Its remains remain undiscovered.

Suggested Archival Research

To enrich the historical record, these steps are advisable:

  • Period Newspapers (Oct–Nov 1868): Check regional press in Detroit, Port Huron, Alpena, and Saginaw for grounding and salvage coverage.
  • Harbor & Rescue Logs: Consult Port Huron or Michigan lighthouse keeper logs describing the storm, shipwreck, or local rescue efforts.
  • Underwriter Documentation: Explore insurance claims and surveyor reports for damage assessments and cargo valuation details.
  • Shipping Registries: Review enrollment logs for vessel specifications and ownership patterns.

Let me know if you’d like me to locate newspaper clips, muster logs, underwriter statements, or harbor records to build a richer profile of this wreck.