Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

3D Shipwreck Model Release: Frank O’Connor (1892)

We’re pleased to announce the release of Zac Whitrock latest – a high-resolution photogrammetric model of the Frank O’Connor, a large Great Lakes wooden steamer lost to fire off Door County, Wisconsin, on October 3, 1919. The model was developed by Zac Whitrock and is available via Sketchfab. Model: View the Frank O’Connor 3D ModelFull…

We’re pleased to announce the release of Zac Whitrock latest – a high-resolution photogrammetric model of the Frank O’Connor, a large Great Lakes wooden steamer lost to fire off Door County, Wisconsin, on October 3, 1919. The model was developed by Zac Whitrock and is available via Sketchfab.

Model: View the Frank O’Connor 3D Model
Full History: Shot Line Diving: Frank O’Connor

Final Voyage & Loss

At 4:00 p.m. on October 3, 1919, while several miles off the east coast of Door County, fire erupted in the bow of the Frank O’Connor. Under the command of Captain William Hayes, the vessel was turned toward shore in an emergency attempt to beach her. However, the steering gear was destroyed by fire about an hour later, leaving the vessel adrift approximately 2 miles from Cana Island.

Lighthouse keeper Oscar Knudson and assistant Louis Pecon spotted the smoke, launched a power boat, and met the crew in their lifeboats. They were soon towed into Baileys Harbor with assistance from local coast guardsmen.

The Frank O’Connor burned into the night and finally sank in 60 feet (18 meters) of water.

Dive Site Information

  • Location: 2 miles off Cana Island, near Baileys Harbor, Door County, Wisconsin
  • Depth: ~60 ft / 18 m
  • Condition: Intact lower hull and engine components; significant fire damage to upper works
  • Access: Charter required; not a shore dive
  • Hazards: Cold water, variable visibility, structural collapse risk
  • Diving Permits: Check with Wisconsin Historical Society for conservation guidelines

Vessel Overview

  • Name: Frank O’Connor
  • Year Built: 1892
  • Builder: Unknown, typical Great Lakes wooden bulk freighter construction
  • Type: Wooden-hulled propeller bulk freighter
  • Owner: James O’Connor family
  • Primary Cargo: Coal and general freight

3D Model Credits

  • Captured by: Zac Whitrock
  • Platform: Sketchfab
  • Method: Underwater photogrammetry
  • Use: Historical visualization, dive planning, archaeological documentation

Significance

The Frank O’Connor wreck is one of the most accessible and dramatic examples of a fire-induced total loss on the Great Lakes. The effective rescue coordinated by the Cana Island lighthouse crew is a noted example of early 20th-century maritime emergency response.

The newly released 3D model enables detailed virtual inspection, offering divers and researchers a realistic preview of the site and preserving its current state for future comparison.