Identification & Site Information:
- Name(s): Silver Lake
- Registry: United States
- Official Number: 116263
- Vessel Type: Scow Schooner
- Builder: M.L. Johnson
- Place Built: Little Point Sauble, Michigan
- Year Built: 1889
- Hull Material: Wood
- Engines: None
- Dimensions:
- Length: 95 ft (29 m)
- Width: 20 ft (6.1 m)
- Depth: 8 ft (2.4 m)
Vessel Type
The Silver Lake was a scow Schooner, a flat-bottomed sailing vessel designed for transporting bulk cargo in shallow waters. These vessels were essential to the commerce of the Great Lakes during the late 19th century.
Description
Built in 1889, the Silver Lake was sold several times throughout its career and eventually owned by Nels Johnson of Racine, Wisconsin. On its final voyage in 1900, the vessel was carrying a load of maple wood from Eagle Harbor, Green Bay, to Racine, Wisconsin.
On October 22, 1900, at 3:00 AM, the Silver Lake was struck by the railroad car Ferry Pere Marquette during heavy fog. The collision split the scow Schooner in half, sinking it and resulting in the loss of one life. The wreck is a rare example of this vessel type, which was often lightly built and prone to degradation.
Final Dispositions
The wreck lies at a depth of 210 ft (64 m) in Lake Michigan, near Wisconsin.
• The vessel sits upright and intact, preserving a significant amount of its original structure.
• Features visible at the site include:
• One intact mast with a yardarm and the bowsprit.
• Collision damage is evident on the port side, where the Pere Marquette struck the vessel.
• The double centerboards, an uncommon feature for Great Lakes scow schooners, remain preserved.
Located By & Date Found
The Silver Lake wreck is regarded as one of the most intact examples of a scow Schooner on the Great Lakes, offering unparalleled insights into the design and construction of this vessel type. It has been studied extensively by maritime archaeologists and divers.
NOTMARs & Advisories
The wreck’s depth of 210 ft requires advanced technical diving skills and equipment. Divers should approach the site with caution to avoid damaging the delicate structure. The Silver Lake is protected under Wisconsin law, and removing artifacts is prohibited.
Resources & Links
3D Model – Silver Lake
Shipwreck Silver Lake by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab
Keywords, Categories, Glossary
Keywords: Silver Lake, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Scow Schooner, Pere Marquette, Maritime Collision
Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Cargo Vessels
Glossary: Scow Schooner, Bowsprit, Double Centreboards, Upright Wreck, Collision Damage
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