Identification & Site Information

Vessel Type

Gibralter was a large wooden Schooner-Barge, lacking its own propulsion and relying on steam tugs to move bulk freight along the Great Lakes—standard practice in the late 19th century.

Description

Measuring approximately 42 m in length, she was sturdy enough to haul substantial freight, although vulnerable to sudden storms. The 1877 Conversion from Bark to Schooner-Barge indicates adaptation to the evolving Great Lakes cargo economy.

Final Voyage & Loss

On 3 October 1888, while under tow during a Lake Huron storm near White Rock, Michigan, Gibralter dragged onto a shoal, grounded, and was battered into pieces by waves. Her crew reportedly evacuated without loss of life (en.wikipedia.org, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).

Final Disposition

The vessel was broken apart on the shoal and declared a Total Loss. Its remains likely lie scattered across the shoal area, either submerged or buried depending on changing lakebed conditions since 1888.

Located By & Date Found

No formal wreck surveys or GPS-based site identifications have been recorded. The exact resting spot remains uncharted.

Notations & Advisories

  • While Gibralter itself is unmarked, the shoal near White Rock continues to be charted as a maritime hazard—now informally linked to her wreck.
  • The area is characterized by shallow reefs and requires navigation caution, though modern charting ensures safe transit for contemporary vessels.

Archival & Research Enhancement

To enrich the historical account and possibly locate the wreck:

  1. Local Newspaper Archives – October 1888:
    Search Port Huron Times, Detroit Free Press, and Sarnia Observer for storm and grounding reports mentioning Gibralter.
  2. Tow-boat Records:
    Discover logs from Tug operators, which may indicate towing route, storm timing, and grounding coordinates.
  3. Maritime Insurance & Salvage Documentation:
    Claim files could include technical drawings, survey sketches, or crew statements preserved in the Great Lakes maritime archive.
  4. Hydrographic & Wreck Survey:
    Consider contacting NOAA or Canada’s Hydrographic Service to verify if wreck data exists or schedule a side-scan survey of the shoal area.

Conclusion

Gibralter, a large three-masted Schooner-Barge built in 1854 and converted in 1877, was grounded and destroyed in a storm on 3 October 1888 near White Rock, Michigan, Lake Huron. The crew escaped unharmed. The wreck remains uncharted, offering a potentially significant but unclaimed historical artifact in shallow shoal waters.