IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The L.C. Butts was a three-masted wooden schooner, a common type of vessel on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. It was built in 1872 by T. Arnold in East Saginaw, Michigan. The schooner had a gross tonnage of 769 and a net tonnage of 731. Measuring 173 feet in length, with a beam of 32 feet and a depth of 19 feet, it was designed to carry substantial cargoes across the lakes. The vessel was officially registered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, under the registration number 15850.
HISTORY #
The L.C. Butts had a notable history of operating on the Great Lakes, primarily involved in transporting goods such as coal. On October 31, 1891, while sailing near Fish Island at the mouth of Green Bay on Lake Michigan, the schooner encountered a severe storm. At the time, it was carrying a cargo of coal. The storm caused the schooner to break loose from the steamer Niagara, which was towing it, and the vessel was driven into the shallows. Wave action soon wrecked the schooner.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
The L.C. Butts was eventually declared a total loss. Despite efforts by the crew and the U.S. Life-Saving crew, the schooner broke in two and could not be salvaged. Wreckers managed to recover 200 tons of coal from the waters near Washington Island, but the vessel and its cargo, valued at approximately $66,000, were lost. The schooner was insured for $10,000. Fortunately, there were no fatalities among the crew.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the L.C. Butts.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The wreck location is near Fish Island at the mouth of Green Bay, Lake Michigan. The schooner broke apart due to wave action shortly after being driven into the shallows.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY #
The current condition of the wreck is not detailed in available reports, and the exact location and depth are unspecified. Therefore, accessibility for diving or further research remains unclear.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes – A comprehensive resource for shipwrecks in the Great Lakes.
- David Swayze Shipwreck File – A database of shipwrecks including details on the L.C. Butts.
TAGS #
- Schooner
- Lake Michigan
- 1891
- Shipwreck
- Maritime Disaster
ANALYSIS #
The wreck of the L.C. Butts highlights the perilous conditions faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes, particularly during the stormy fall season. The schooner’s destruction due to wave action after being driven ashore underscores the vulnerability of wooden vessels to severe weather. The loss of the L.C. Butts and its cargo represents a significant financial blow of the time, although the lack of fatalities among the crew was a fortunate outcome. The vessel’s history is a testament to the challenges of maritime trade on the Great Lakes in the late 19th century.
