L.M. Mason
Vessel Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
GPS Location: N45°20.784’ W83°29.613’
Depth: 18 feet
Wreck Length: 125 feet
Beam: 25 feet
Gross Tonnage: 340
Cargo: Grain
Launched: 1853
Wrecked: October 22, 1861
Description: On October 22, 1861, a fierce storm descended on Lake Huron. Violent northwest winds and a blinding snowstorm wreaked havoc. The heavy weather stranded 14 ships in the North Bay of Presque Isle. Remarkably, there was not a single loss of life, and all of the ships but one were eventually freed. The 125-foot schooner L.M. Mason remained stranded, and Lake Huron’s heavy seas pounded the schooner. Over time, ice, wind, and waves tore apart the vessel.
Today, the remains of L.M.Mason rest in 18 feet of water half a mile southwest of the New Presque Isle Lighthouse. Its shallow resting place in crystal-clear water and proximity to shore make this shipwreck a popular site for divers, snorkelers, and paddlers. Visitors can see a large section of the schooner’s port side and a wooden arch built into the hull to strengthen the vessel.
Great Lakes Maritime Collection digital archive: http://greatlakeships.org/2904590/data?n=3
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