IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: City of Sheboygan (also misreported as City of Cheboygan)
• Registry: U.S. Official Number 125128
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Dimensions:
• Length: 135 feet (41.1 meters)
• Beam: Not specified
• Depth: Not specified
• Gross Tonnage: Not specified
• Hull Material: Wood
• Final Location: Amherst Island, Lake Ontario
• Coordinates: N44 04.580 W76 44.081
• Water Depth: 90 feet (28 meters)

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The City of Sheboygan was a wooden-hulled Schooner, designed to transport bulk goods across the Great Lakes. Schooners like this were integral to 19th-century commerce, efficiently navigating the vast lakes with their adaptable sail configurations. Known for their cargo-carrying capacity, these vessels frequently transported goods such as coal, grain, and feldspar.

HISTORY

Construction & Early Service

Built in the late 19th century, the City of Sheboygan served as a robust cargo carrier, primarily transporting goods between major Great Lakes ports like Kingston, Buffalo, and Chicago. Constructed with a wooden Hull, it reflected the durable craftsmanship typical of the era.

Operational History

The Schooner experienced several significant incidents over its operational life, highlighting the challenging conditions faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes.

• November 5, 1886: The Schooner struck a rock near Detour while en route from Fort Brady carrying coal. It sank Stern-first into deep water. Tragically, the ship’s cook lost her life, though the remaining crew survived.
• April 1882: Underwent a substantial reconstruction in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after wear and tear from years of service.
• April 1892: Collided with another Schooner on the Chicago River, sustaining considerable damage.

Despite these incidents, the City of Sheboygan continued to serve the Great Lakes under various owners, including E.M. MacDonald of Toronto and later W.M. Schlosser of Milwaukee in 1915.

FINAL VOYAGE & SINKING

September 26, 1915

The City of Sheboygan embarked on its final voyage from Kingston to Buffalo, laden with a cargo of feldspar. A fierce storm proved too much for the aging Schooner, which Foundered a few miles off Amherst Island in Lake Ontario.

•Eyewitness Account: Joseph Bray, a resident of Amherst Island, watched helplessly as the vessel succumbed to rough seas. Rescue efforts were impossible due to the conditions.

Casualties: Five lives were lost, including:

• Captain MacDonald
• Mrs. MacDonald (Captain’s wife)
• W. Joyner, Kingston
• J. Lavis, Cobourg
• Robert Milne, Port Hope

Only a spar remained visible above the water after the Schooner sank. The tragedy underscored the dangers of maritime navigation on the Great Lakes, especially for older vessels in deteriorating condition.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

•Condition: The wreck of the City of Sheboygan lies at a depth of 90 feet (28 meters) near Amherst Island. Although partially intact, the wooden Hull has likely deteriorated due to time and environmental factors.

•Accessibility: Accessible to experienced divers. The wreck site is well-documented, with sitemaps and 3D models available for reference. Notable features include remnants of the Hull and spars.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are associated with the wreck. However, divers should exercise caution due to potential hazards such as sharp remnants or shifting debris.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Bowling Green State University Archives
• 3DShipwrecks City of Sheboygan Modelled by Matthew Charlesworth

3D Model – City of Sheboygan

CONCLUSION

The City of Sheboygan faced a tumultuous operational history, marked by multiple rebuilds and ownership changes. Despite efforts to keep the vessel seaworthy, it succumbed to Lake Ontario’s fierce conditions in 1915, resulting in the tragic loss of five lives. The wreck, now resting off Amherst Island, serves as a somber reminder of the perils faced by sailors and vessels navigating the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Modern efforts to document the site through mapping and modeling ensure that the legacy of the City of Sheboygan endures.

KEYWORDS:

#CityOfSheboygan #Schooner #LakeOntario #Shipwreck #AmherstIsland #GreatLakesHistory #MaritimeHeritage #HistoricalDiving