Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: ADVANCE
- Type: Wooden lighter-barge
- Year Built: 1871
- Builder: A. A. Turner, Trenton, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 139 ft (42.37 m); Beam: 29 ft (8.84 m); Depth: 11 ft (3.35 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 367 tons
- Location: Sand Bay, Wisconsin
- Official Number: 105102
- Original Owners: Leathem D. Smith Company, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
- Number of Masts: 2-mast schooner
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Originally constructed as a 2-mast wooden schooner, later converted to a barge in 1911 and subsequently outfitted as a lighter (a vessel used for transferring cargo between ships and shore).
Description
The ADVANCE was launched in 1871 as a two-mast schooner built by A. A. Turner in Trenton, Michigan. Measuring 139 feet in length and with a beam of 29 feet, she was a sizable vessel designed for the bulk cargo trade on the Great Lakes. The schooner was reconfigured in 1911, transitioning from sail power to serve as a barge. Later, she was outfitted as a lighter, equipped with specialized lightering gear, including two derricks, for the purpose of offloading cargo from larger vessels unable to dock at shallow ports. This adaptation extended her service life well into the early 20th century.
History
The ADVANCE enjoyed a 50-year career on the Great Lakes, transitioning from sail to barge operations, a common path for aging schooners as steam and motor vessels became dominant. Owned by the Leathem D. Smith Company of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, the vessel was actively employed in lightering operations—transferring cargo, particularly coal, from large freighters to shore facilities or smaller ships.
On October 19, 1921, the ADVANCE was assisting in the lightering of the stranded steamer FRANK BILLINGS near Sand Bay, Wisconsin. While engaged in this operation, a storm swept through the area, catching the barge and making conditions untenable. The tug responsible for towing the ADVANCE abandoned her to the worsening weather, leaving the barge adrift. The U.S. Coast Guard intervened, rescuing the crew just before the vessel struck the shoreline.
The ADVANCE was heavily damaged when her hull smashed against the rocks at Sand Bay. After evaluating the damage, it was determined that repairs were not feasible, and the vessel was officially abandoned in 1922. This marked the end of a long and varied service life, typical of many wooden schooners repurposed during the transition from sail to steam.
Significant Incidents
- October 19, 1921: The ADVANCE was abandoned during a storm while assisting the stranded steamer FRANK BILLINGS.
- Heavily damaged after grounding at Sand Bay, Wisconsin; officially abandoned in 1922.
Final Disposition
Heavily damaged after grounding at Sand Bay, Wisconsin; officially abandoned in 1922.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Nil (No records available confirming the precise discovery or documentation of the wreck site).
Resources & Links
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The ADVANCE exemplifies the adaptability and longevity of 19th-century Great Lakes schooners, which were often repurposed to meet the evolving demands of maritime commerce. Her final chapter, assisting the FRANK BILLINGS before succumbing to a violent storm, highlights the perils of lightering work and the harsh conditions faced by mariners on Lake Michigan.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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