Identification & Site Information:

• • Name(s): Colonel Ellsworth
• • Registry: US
• • Official Number: 4354
• • Vessel Type: Schooner
• • Year Built: 1861
• • Year Sank: 1896
• • Hull Material: Wood
• • Masts: Unknown
• • Engines: None

Dimensions:

• • Length: 139 ft (42.37 m)
• • Width: 26 ft (7.92 m)
• • Depth: 12 ft (3.66 m)

Vessel History:

The Colonel Ellsworth was a wooden Schooner built in 1861 during a time when schooners dominated cargo transport on the Great Lakes. The vessel served for 35 years, likely carrying lumber, grain, or other commodities essential to the region’s economy. It sank in 1896 under circumstances that are not well documented but may have involved adverse weather or navigational hazards. The Colonel Ellsworth’s remains now contribute to the rich underwater heritage of Lake Michigan.

For additional historical details, visit:

• Great Lakes Ships Database

• Bowling Green State University – Historical Database.

Wreck Site Information:

• Location: Lake Michigan

• State/Province: Michigan

• Depth: 85 ft (25.91 m)

• GPS Coordinates: N 45° 48.743′, W 085° 01.056′

• Site Description:

The wreck of the Colonel Ellsworth is heavily broken but remains largely complete, with most pieces located at the site. Key features include:

• Rudder

• Windlass

• Centerboard winch

• Catheads

Notably, the ship’s wheel and anchors are absent. Despite its broken state, the site provides valuable insight into Schooner construction and remains a point of interest for divers.

NOTMARs & Advisories:

The site’s depth of 85 ft is suitable for advanced recreational divers. Visibility can vary depending on seasonal conditions in Lake Michigan. Divers should exercise caution and avoid further disturbing the site to preserve its historical integrity.

Resources & Links:

• Great Lakes Ships Database
• Great Lakes Historical Database – BGSU
• 3D Shipwrecks – Colonel Ellsworth

3D Model Colonel Ellsworth

Keywords:

Colonel Ellsworth, Schooner, Lake Michigan, Wooden Hull, Shipwreck, Michigan, Historical Wreck, Underwater Archaeology.

The Colonel Ellsworth’s remains serve as an enduring testament to the Maritime History of the Great Lakes and offer a unique opportunity for divers to explore the legacy of Schooner shipping.