Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Belle
- Type: Steam Screw Propeller
- Year Built: 1860
- Builder: D. M. Hagadon
- Dimensions: 90.50 ft (27.6 m); Beam: 19.60 ft (6.0 m); Depth of hold: 7.50 ft (2.3 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 235 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 110 m / 360 ft
- Location: Approximately 3 miles off Port Washington, Ozaukee County, Lake Michigan
- Coordinates: N 43° 23.170′, W 87° 48.599′
- Official Number: 2159
- Original Owners: George Wall, Redcliffe, William Lurkkins; Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Number of Masts: Zero masts
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Wooden-hulled steam screw (propeller)
Description
The Belle was a wooden-hulled steam screw vessel, registered under No. 2159. She was launched on July 9, 1860, and was primarily used for transporting cargo across Lake Michigan.
History
Initially launched for the Cleveland–Black River–Kelly Island route, the Belle was later redeployed for service between Milwaukee and Manitowoc. In 1868, she was purchased by her last owners for approximately $15,000, with an insurance value of around $10,000.
Significant Incidents
- On November 20, 1869, while leaving Milwaukee bound for Manitowoc, the Belle caught fire in the cabin woodwork around the smokestack.
- The fire spread rapidly, leading to the crew abandoning the ship. The captain drowned after becoming entangled in lines, and another crew member drowned when the yawl capsized during rescue efforts.
Final Disposition
The Belle was entirely destroyed by fire approximately three miles off Port Washington. The bark C. J. Hutchinson rescued survivors and recovered the captain’s body. The wreck remains unlocated and undocumented.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No confirmed archaeological location or underwater survey records exist for the Belle. The wreck is estimated to lie at a depth of approximately 360 ft (110 m), but no diver logs or navigational publications indicate its discovery.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”belle-1860″ title=”References & Links”]
The Belle serves as a case study in mid-19th century small-scale steamboat operation on Lake Michigan. Her loss highlights the dangers associated with wood-fired engines and the challenges of fire prevention aboard early steamers. The wreck remains a potential site for future exploration.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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