Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Belle Laurie
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1876
- Builder: Laurie, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Length: 60 ft (18.3 m); Beam: 16 ft (4.9 m); Depth: 6 ft (1.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 36 gross tons; 34 net tons
- Location: Garrett Bay, northern tip of Door County, Lake Michigan
- Coordinates: Not publicly disclosed
- Official Number: 3042
- Original Owners: W.G. Manney, Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
- Number of Masts: Two-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Belle Laurie was a wooden-hulled, two-masted schooner, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Schooners were favored for their cargo capacity and maneuverability, making them ideal for transporting bulk goods such as lumber, grain, and other commodities across the lakes.
Description
Built in 1876 by Laurie in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, the Belle Laurie measured 60 feet (18.3 meters) in length, with a beam of 16 feet (4.9 meters) and a depth of 6 feet (1.8 meters). She had a gross tonnage of 36 and a net tonnage of 34. Designed for the lumber trade, she was a modestly sized vessel capable of navigating the challenging conditions of the Great Lakes.
History
On August 10, 1894, the Belle Laurie was en route to Milwaukee with a cargo of cedar posts. While navigating the waters of Lake Michigan near the northern tip of Door County, she encountered a severe storm. The vessel lost her deck load of posts, sprang a leak, and foundered in Garret Bay. Despite settling in the mud at the bottom, the owner, W.G. Manney of Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, stated that she was not totally wrecked but decided against salvaging her. Subsequently, on August 24, 1894, the Belle Laurie was taken to Green Bay, where she was dismantled and abandoned.
Significant Incidents
- August 10, 1894: Foundered during a storm in Garrett Bay, Lake Michigan.
- August 24, 1894: Dismantled and abandoned in Green Bay.
Final Disposition
After the incident, the Belle Laurie was declared a total loss. She was dismantled and abandoned in Green Bay on August 24, 1894.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of current records, there is no publicly available information indicating that the wreck of the Belle Laurie has been located or surveyed.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”belle-laurie-us-3042″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Belle Laurie serves as a testament to the challenges faced by maritime operations on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Her loss in a sudden storm underscores the unpredictable and often treacherous conditions that could arise on Lake Michigan. The decision to dismantle and abandon the vessel reflects the economic considerations of the time, where salvaging a damaged ship was not always deemed worthwhile.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
- Name: Belle Laurie
- Former Names: None reported
- Official Registration Number: 3042
- Date Built & Launched: 1876
- Builder: Laurie, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
- Construction: Wooden-hulled, two-masted schooner
- Dimensions: Length: 60 ft (18.3 m); Beam: 16 ft (4.9 m); Depth: 6 ft (1.8 m)
- Tonnage: 36 gross tons; 34 net tons
- Date Lost: August 10, 1894
- Location of Loss: Garrett Bay, northern tip of Door County, Lake Michigan
- Coordinates: Not publicly disclosed
- Cargo at Time of Loss: Cedar posts
- Cause of Loss: Sprang a leak during a storm and foundered
- Crew: No casualties reported
- Final Disposition: Dismantled and abandoned in Green Bay on August 24, 1894
- Owner at Time of Loss: W.G. Manney, Egg Harbor, Wisconsin
- Sources: Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files(Ballad Index, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Wikipedia)
Vessel Type
The Belle Laurie was a wooden-hulled, two-masted schooner, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Schooners were favored for their cargo capacity and maneuverability, making them ideal for transporting bulk goods such as lumber, grain, and other commodities across the lakes.
Description(WZZM 13)
Built in 1876 by Laurie in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, the Belle Laurie measured 60 feet (18.3 meters) in length, with a beam of 16 feet (4.9 meters) and a depth of 6 feet (1.8 meters). She had a gross tonnage of 36 and a net tonnage of 34. Designed for the lumber trade, she was a modestly sized vessel capable of navigating the challenging conditions of the Great Lakes.
History
On August 10, 1894, the Belle Laurie was en route to Milwaukee with a cargo of cedar posts. While navigating the waters of Lake Michigan near the northern tip of Door County, she encountered a severe storm. The vessel lost her deck load of posts, sprang a leak, and foundered in Garret Bay. Despite settling in the mud at the bottom, the owner, W.G. Manney of Egg Harbor, Wisconsin, stated that she was not totally wrecked but decided against salvaging her. Subsequently, on August 24, 1894, the Belle Laurie was taken to Green Bay, where she was dismantled and abandoned. (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Final Disposition
After the incident, the Belle Laurie was declared a total loss. She was dismantled and abandoned in Green Bay on August 24, 1894. (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Located By & Date Found
As of current records, there is no publicly available information indicating that the wreck of the Belle Laurie has been located or surveyed.
NOTMARs & Advisories
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories related to the Belle Laurie. Mariners operating in the vicinity of Garret Bay should consult the latest nautical charts and local notices for any updates.
Resources & Links
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks – Belle Laurie
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – Belle Laurie(Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Conclusion
The Belle Laurie serves as a testament to the challenges faced by maritime operations on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Her loss in a sudden storm underscores the unpredictable and often treacherous conditions that could arise on Lake Michigan. The decision to dismantle and abandon the vessel reflects the economic considerations of the time, where salvaging a damaged ship was not always deemed worthwhile.
Suggested Keywords & Categories(ABC7 New York)
Keywords: Belle Laurie, schooner, Lake Michigan shipwreck, 1894 storm, cedar posts
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Great Lakes Maritime History, 19th-Century Schooners, Maritime Disasters
Glossary Terms:
- Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically with the foremast shorter than the mainmast, used extensively on the Great Lakes for cargo transport.
- Foundered: A term indicating that a vessel has filled with water and sunk.
- Dismantled: The process of taking apart a ship, often for salvage or disposal purposes.
- Abandoned: A term indicating that a vessel has been deserted or left without intention of recovery.
Shore Dive Information
Given that the Belle Laurie was dismantled and abandoned in Green Bay, and there is no publicly available information indicating that the wreck has been located or surveyed, there is no shore dive information available for this site.
belle-laurie-us-3042 1894-08-10 12:56:00