Identification & Basic Specs
- Name: H. D. Moore
- Official No.: 95266
- Type: Wooden Schooner (converting to auxiliary steam in 1907)
- Built: 1874
- Dimensions: Approximately 103 ft length — other measurements not specified in available sources
Final Voyage & Wreck (Sept 10, 1907)
- Date & Location: Stranded on Gull Point, South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan — during a storm on September 10, 1907 (michiganpreserves.org, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia).
- Cargo: Not specified; as a general-purpose Schooner, likely carried lumber or general freight.
- Incident: The vessel went aground (‘stranded’) during gale conditions.
- Fate: The Schooner broke up in place, scattering debris in shallow water (8–12 ft deep) (michiganpreserves.org).
- Crew: All four aboard survived; no loss of life was recorded (Wikipedia).
Wreck & Diving Site
- The remains lie in 8–12 ft of water off Gull Point — a snorkel- and beginner-level diving site today (Midland Daily News).
- Typically, visible wreckage includes fragments of the Hull, ribs, and scattered timbers.
Archival Citations
- Wikipedia “List of shipwrecks in 1907” entries confirm the date, location, crew survival, and type (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia).
- Michigan Underwater Preserve resources and preservation maps provide structural and depth information (michiganpreserves.org).
Gaps & Research Opportunities
| Topic | Proposed Approach |
|---|---|
| Original vessel specifications | Review regional ship registries (1874) for design plans, dimensions, and owners |
| Conversion history | Locate shipyard records from 1907 showing Conversion to auxiliary steam |
| Storm details | Consult NOAA/Weather Service archives or Traverse City Record-Eagle (Sept 1907) for weather context |
| Dive documentation | Access Michigan Underwater Preserve files for sonar imagery, diver photos, and site logs |
Conclusion
The H. D. Moore was a 103-foot wooden Schooner built in 1874 and retrofitted to auxiliary steam in 1907. She met her end during a storm on September 10, 1907, when she stranded on Gull Point, South Manitou Island, and fragmented in 8–12 feet of water. Fortunately, her crew of four survived. Today, the site is easily accessible to divers and preserves early-20th-century commercial shipping heritage.
- Draft archival inquiries for original vessel plans and Conversion documentation?
- Compile storm and harbor records from September 1907?
- Retrieve dive logs or coordinate with Michigan Underwater Preserve for current site data?