Identification & Site Information:
- Name(s): Southwest
- Registry: United States
- Official Number: 22359
- Vessel Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1866
- Year Sank: 1898
- Hull Material: Wood
- Engines: None
- Dimensions: Length: 137 ft (41.8 m) Width: 26 ft (7.9 m) Depth: 11 ft (3.4 m)
Vessel Type
The Southwest was a wooden three-masted Schooner used for transporting cargo across the Great Lakes. These vessels were integral to 19th-century maritime trade, carrying goods such as lumber, grain, and coal.
Description
Built in 1866, the Southwest served for over 30 years as a cargo carrier. On September 25, 1898, while laden with a cargo of iron ore, the Southwest sank in Lake Superior off the coast of Marquette, Michigan. Heavy weather is believed to have contributed to its loss, a common hazard for schooners operating on the unpredictable Great Lakes.
Final Dispositions
The wreck lies in 100 ft (30.5 m) of water within the Marquette Underwater Preserve.
The wreckage is flattened, but significant structural features remain intact:
- The Hull bottom and two sides are visible.
- Portions of the Deck are present and identifiable.
- Key hardware still on site includes:
- Anchor Windlass
- Wood stock anchor
- Winches
- A large boom, offering insights into the ship’s rigging and cargo-handling operations.
Located By & Date Found
The Southwest wreck is part of the Marquette Underwater Preserve, which protects significant historical shipwrecks in Lake Superior. It has been extensively documented and mapped, making it a popular destination for divers and researchers.
NOTMARs & Advisories
The wreck’s depth of 100 ft requires intermediate to advanced diving skills. Divers should adhere to regulations protecting the site as part of the underwater preserve, avoiding disturbance to the wreck or removal of artifacts.
Resources & Links
3D Model – Southwest
Southwest by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab
Keywords, Categories, Glossary
Keywords: Southwest, Lake Superior Shipwrecks, Marquette Underwater Preserve, Wooden Schooner
Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Schooners
Glossary: Hull Bottom, Anchor Windlass, Wood Stock Anchor, Large Boom, Flattened Wreck
Discover more from Shotline Diving - The Great Lakes Goto
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
