Identification & Site Information

Vessel Type

A two-masted wooden Schooner built for hauling heavy bulk cargo, particularly coal, across Great Lakes routes.

Description

Constructed at Cleveland in 1856, the Muskingum measured approximately 139 ft in length and 26 ft in beam, with an 11 ft Draft. Rated at around 259 tons, she was a typical freighter of her era—efficient for coal transport and capable of maintaining service through seasonal fog and storms on Lake Huron.

History

During her dozen years of operation, Muskingum shuttled coal from Cleveland and other Ohio ports to Great Lakes destinations. On 22 November 1868, navigating the Straits of Mackinac in heavy weather, the vessel’s crew attempted to stabilize her by shifting the Anchor Chain from bow to Stern. Unfortunately, this altered the magnetic compass readings, causing the ship to veer off course. She struck a rock shoal near Bois Blanc Island and was driven ashore in the gale. The ship was pounded by waves and irreparably broken up by the next day, though fortunately, there were no fatalities .

Final Disposition

Muskingum was declared a Total Loss. Her wooden Hull was wrecked beyond salvage, and she was left fragmented on shore.

Located By & Date Found

No modern rediscovery has been recorded; the wreck site remains undocumented in underwater or archaeological surveys.

Notations & Advisories

There are no navigational buoys or markers designated for this wreck site. Given its breakup on shore, it does not pose a submerged hazard.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The wreck of Muskingum highlights the risks of early navigation on the Great Lakes—particularly how mechanical decisions like repositioning an Anchor Chain could have cascading navigational consequences. Her loss near Bois Blanc Island adds to the catalog of late-season storms and navigational hazards in the Straits of Mackinac, underscoring the vulnerability of even fully laden schooners to compass and course errors.

Suggested Keywords & Glossary Terms: Schooner, coal freighter, Straits of Mackinac, compass deviation, anchoring, Lake Huron shipwrecks
Categories: Great Lakes shipwrecks, navigational losses, Lake Huron wrecks, 19th‑century schooners