Shipwreck Sandusky 2025

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Database Information Shipwreck Sandusky

Basic Information

Name(s)  Sandusky
Registry  US
Official Number  
Vessel Type Brigantine
Builder Dan Dibble
Year Built 1848
Year Sank 1856  
Hull Material Wood
Engines None

Dimensions

Length 110 ft
Width 26  ft
Depth 9 ft

Vessel History

Complete Historic Information Link – https://greatlakeships.org/2899440/data ; https://www.michiganpreserves.org/straits-of-mackinac-shipwreck-preserve/

Wreck Site Information

Lake Michigan
State or Province Michigan
Depth 80 ft
GPS Coordinates N 45° 47.969′ W 084° 50.255′
Site Description – The hull of the Sandusky is very intact and sits upright on the bottom with a list to port. Most of the deck has collapsed but near the bow and stern it is intact. The bowsprit and jib boom are intact but the figurehead has been replaced with a replica since someone removed the original which is now in a museum. Machinery and sailing gear extant on site are windlass, one cathead, foremast (fallen), foremast sheet winch, part of the foremast fife rail, one yard, a number of deadeyes, two anchors —  one stowed and one on the bottom , midship capstan, centerboard trunk, main mast sheet winch which appears to double as the centerboard winch, double bilge pump, two folding lifeboat or skiff davits – one folded and one on the bottom, rudder and tiller. There are a few somewhat unique features. The windlass has a control bar or arm that runs across the top of the drum between the carrick bitts to guide the anchor chain onto the gypsy. The main sheet winch appears to double for the centerboard winch. The tiller appears to be too short and low to be used directly. It appears it was moved with block and tackle to two small bitts on each side of the ship. There is a block on the port side which may be  remnant of this system. It is difficult at this time to say positively these features are correctly interpreted since much of the removeable hardware has been pilfered by divers over the years and mussels obscure much of the detail.