Identification & Site Information:
- Name(s): Sea Bird
- Registry: United States
- Official Number: 22368
- Vessel Type: Sidewheel Steamer
- Builder: E. B. Ward
- Place Built: Newport, Michigan
- Year Built: 1859
- Year Sank: 1868
- Hull Material: Wood
- Dimensions:
- Length: 192 ft (58.5 m)
- Width: 28 ft (8.5 m)
- Depth: 12 ft (3.7 m)
Vessel Type
The Sea Bird was a wooden Sidewheel Steamer, a type of steam-powered vessel popular for transporting passengers and cargo during the 19th century. Its side-mounted paddle wheels and shallow draught made it well-suited for operations in the Great Lakes.
Description
Built in 1859, the Sea Bird was designed to carry passengers and freight across the Great Lakes, offering an essential service during a period of growing trade and migration. On April 9, 1868, the vessel caught fire and sank off the coast of Waukegan, Illinois. The disaster claimed the lives of between 70 and 100 passengers and crew, with only three survivors.
The exact cause of the fire is uncertain, but it spread rapidly, overwhelming the vessel and preventing a successful evacuation. The Sea Bird’s tragic end highlights the dangers of wooden steamers, particularly their susceptibility to fire.
Final Dispositions
The wreck lies in 27 ft (8.2 m) of water near the shore of Waukegan, Illinois, in Lake Michigan.
• While the wreck’s precise location remains generally undisclosed, parts of the vessel may still be present, though its wooden structure likely suffered significant damage from the fire and years of submersion.
• No substantial artifacts or intact sections have been documented in recent times, making the wreck more a site of historical tragedy than an archaeological resource.
Located By & Date Found
The Sea Bird wreck is known to maritime historians and has been recorded in several shipwreck databases, though extensive archaeological surveys have not been conducted. The shallow location and the severity of the fire likely left the site with minimal remains.
NOTMARs & Advisories
The site lies in shallow waters, making it accessible to snorkelers and divers. However, the absence of intact wreckage limits its appeal as a diving destination. Visitors are encouraged to respect the site as a historical grave and avoid any disturbance.
Resources & Links
3D Model – Sea Bird
Side-wheeler Sea Bird for Mobile Devices by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab
Keywords, Categories, Glossary
Keywords: Sea Bird, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Sidewheel Steamer, Waukegan, Maritime Disaster
Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Passenger Vessels
Glossary: Sidewheel Steamer, Paddle Wheels, Fire Hazard, Passenger Ship Disaster
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