IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The City of Sheboygan was a wooden-hulled schooner, a type of sailing vessel that played a significant role in the commercial activities on the Great Lakes during the 19th and early 20th centuries. These schooners were known for their cargo-carrying capabilities and their adaptability to the often unpredictable wind conditions of the Great Lakes. The City of Sheboygan had a storied history, marked by multiple incidents and ownership changes, before meeting its tragic end in 1915.
Construction and Early History #
Built in the late 19th century, the City of Sheboygan was designed as a robust cargo vessel. Measuring 135 feet (41.1 meters) in length, the schooner was constructed with a wooden hull, which was the standard material for ships of its kind during that period. The vessel was primarily used for transporting bulk goods across the Great Lakes, with cargoes ranging from coal to feldspar.
Operational History #
The schooner operated extensively on the Great Lakes, carrying goods between major ports such as Kingston, Buffalo, and Chicago. The vessel’s early years were relatively uneventful, with routine voyages across the lakes. However, as the years progressed, the City of Sheboygan began to encounter a series of unfortunate incidents that would eventually culminate in its demise.
Significant Incidents #
One of the earliest major incidents occurred on November 5, 1886. The City of Sheboygan was en route from Fort Brady, carrying a load of coal, when it struck a rock near Detour and sank stern-first into deep water. The accident resulted in the tragic death of the woman cook aboard, while the rest of the crew managed to survive. This incident marked the beginning of a series of misfortunes for the schooner.
In April 1882, the City of Sheboygan underwent reconstruction in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This rebuilding effort was likely necessitated by wear and tear from years of service on the often harsh and unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes. Despite these efforts, the vessel continued to experience difficulties.
In April 1892, the schooner was involved in another accident when it was wrecked by another schooner on the Chicago River. The exact details of this collision are not well documented, but it is known that the incident caused significant damage to the vessel.
Ownership Changes and Final Years #
Throughout its operational life, the City of Sheboygan changed hands multiple times. In August 1915, the vessel was owned by E.M. MacDonald of Toronto, Ontario. Later that year, it was sold to W.M. Schlosser of Milwaukee. These changes in ownership were typical for vessels of the era, as ships were often sold to new owners who would use them for different purposes or routes.
Final Voyage and Sinking #
The final chapter of the City of Sheboygan began on September 26, 1915. The schooner was on a voyage from Kingston to Buffalo, carrying a cargo of feldspar. On that fateful morning, the vessel foundered a few miles off Amherst Island on Lake Ontario. The rough sea conditions proved too much for the aging schooner, and despite the crew’s efforts, the ship began to sink.
Joseph Bray, a resident of Amherst Island, witnessed the tragedy from shore. He noted that the rough sea conditions made any rescue attempts impossible. Within a short time, the City of Sheboygan had disappeared beneath the waves, leaving only a lone spar visible above the water.
The sinking resulted in the loss of five lives: Captain MacDonald, his wife Mrs. MacDonald, W. Joyner of Kingston, J. Lavis of Cobourg, and Robert Milne of Port Hope. The loss was a significant tragedy for the maritime community, as it underscored the dangers that sailors faced on the Great Lakes.
Final Disposition #
The City of Sheboygan was never successfully salvaged. The wreck remains on the lakebed near Amherst Island at a depth of 90 feet (28 meters). Over the years, the ship has become a site of interest for divers and maritime historians, who explore the wreckage to learn more about the ship’s construction and the events leading up to its sinking.
The City of Sheboygan serves as a reminder of the perilous nature of Great Lakes navigation during the 19th and early 20th centuries. The vessel’s story is one of resilience in the face of adversity, but ultimately, it is also a tale of tragedy and loss.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The City of Sheboygan met its final fate on September 26, 1915, when it sank near Amherst Island, Lake Ontario. The vessel was never successfully salvaged, and it remains on the lakebed at a depth of 90 feet.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the wreck of the City of Sheboygan.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck of the City of Sheboygan is located near Amherst Island, Lake Ontario, at the coordinates N44 04.580 W76 44.081.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The wreck lies at a depth of 90 feet (28 meters) off Amherst Island in Lake Ontario. The site is accessible to experienced divers, and there are photographic records and models of the wreck site, including a sitemap by Tom Rutledge and a 3D model by Matthew Charlesworth.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Bowling Green State University
- County Mag 2024
- Flickr: Sitemap by Tom Rutledge CC for ShotLine Diving
- 3D Shipwrecks on Sketchfab: City of Sheboygan by 3DShipwrecks
City of Sheboygan, City of Cheboygan, schooner, shipwreck, Lake Ontario, Amherst Island, maritime history, Great Lakes, Kingston, Buffalo, shipwreck site, dive site
Conclusion #
The City of Sheboygan‘s history is marked by a series of mishaps and rebuilds, reflecting the hazards faced by vessels operating on the Great Lakes. Despite efforts to salvage the vessel after previous incidents, the schooner ultimately met a tragic end in 1915 when it foundered off Amherst Island, resulting in the loss of five lives. The wreck now rests at the bottom of Lake Ontario, a silent testament to the perils of maritime trade in the early 20th century. The detailed records and modern 3D models of the wreck provide valuable insights into the vessel’s structure and final moments.
