Shipwreck Profile: Hetty Taylor

Identification & Site Information

• Name(s): Hetty Taylor
• Registry: U.S.
• Official Number: 95356
• Vessel Type: Schooner
• Year Built: 1874
• Year Sank: 1880
• Hull Material: Wood
• Engines: None (sail-powered vessel)
• Dimensions
• Length: 84 ft (25.60 m)
• Width: 23 ft (7.01 m)
• Depth: 8 ft (2.44 m)

Vessel History

The Hetty Taylor was a wooden Schooner constructed in 1874, primarily used for transporting cargo across the Great Lakes. Schooners like the Hetty Taylor were the backbone of Great Lakes commerce during the 19th century, hauling bulk goods such as lumber, coal, and grain.

The Hetty Taylor met its fate in 1880, sinking in Lake Michigan near Wisconsin. While the precise circumstances of the wreck are not fully documented, it is consistent with the risks faced by schooners of the era, including sudden storms and navigational challenges.

For more detailed historical information:

• Great Lakes Historical Society Record
• Wisconsin Shipwrecks Database – Hetty Taylor
• 3D Shipwrecks – Hetty Taylor

3D Model – Hetty Taylor

Hetty Taylor by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

Wreck Site Information

• Lake: Lake Michigan

• State/Province: Wisconsin

• Depth: 105 ft (32.00 m)

• GPS Coordinates: 43° 40.890′ N, 087° 39.290′ W

• Site Description:

The wreck of the Hetty Taylor rests upright at a depth of 105 ft (32.00 m), partially embedded in the lakebed, particularly near the Stern.

• Stern and Starboard Side: Broken, with significant structural damage.

• Bow and Forward Deck: Fairly intact, including the bowsprit.

• Artifacts Present:

• Anchor Windlass and Centerboard trunk.

• Disarticulated cabin roof.

• Stove and rudder.

Diving Notes & Advisories

• Depth Consideration:

The site lies at 105 ft (32.00 m), suitable for advanced recreational divers with deep diving experience and proper training.

• Visibility:

Lake Michigan often offers good Visibility at this depth, though conditions can vary with weather and currents.

• Preservation Status:

The wreck is protected under Wisconsin law, and divers are encouraged to observe but not disturb or remove artifacts.

Site Significance

The Hetty Taylor provides a glimpse into the life of schooners on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. Its well-preserved bow and surviving artifacts, including the anchor Windlass and stove, offer valuable insights into the vessel’s operation and the daily life of its crew. The wreck is an important site within Wisconsin’s underwater cultural heritage.

Keywords:

Hetty Taylor shipwreck, Lake Michigan schooners, 19th-century sailing vessels, Wisconsin shipwrecks, Great Lakes maritime history, advanced diving sites.