Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Belle Walbridge
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1857
- Builder: G.W. Jones, Cleveland, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length: 138 ft (42.1 m); Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth: 10 ft (3.0 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 271 gross tons; 257 net tons
- Location: Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan
- Coordinates: Not publicly disclosed
- Official Number: 2234
- Original Owners: Not specified
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Belle Walbridge was a wooden-hulled schooner, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, primarily used for transporting bulk cargoes such as lumber, coal, and other goods.
Description
Built in 1857 by G.W. Jones in Cleveland, Ohio, the Belle Walbridge measured 138 feet (42.1 meters) in length, with a beam of 26 feet (7.9 meters) and a depth of 10 feet (3.0 meters). She had a gross tonnage of 271 and a net tonnage of 257. The vessel underwent major repairs in 1867, 1874, and 1880, indicating a long service life on the Great Lakes.
History
On November 22, 1886, the Belle Walbridge was carrying a cargo of telegraph poles when she encountered a southeast gale while approaching Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The vessel collided with a pier at the harbor entrance and sank. The crew managed to escape to the government pier, and no casualties were reported. The wreck was found ashore and reported as a total loss on December 4, 1886. By December 10, the vessel had been stripped of her outfit and cargo and was reported broken up.
Significant Incidents
- November 22, 1886: Collided with a pier during a southeast gale and sank at the harbor entrance.
- No casualties reported among the crew.
Final Disposition
The Belle Walbridge was declared a total loss following the incident. The wreck was stripped and broken up shortly after the sinking.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There is no publicly available information indicating that the wreck of the Belle Walbridge has been located or surveyed.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”belle-walbridge-us-2234″ title=”References & Links”]
Both the Belle Walbridge and the Belle Wilson met their ends due to severe weather conditions on the Great Lakes, a common hazard for vessels during the 19th century. The Belle Walbridge was lost after colliding with a pier during a gale in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, while the Belle Wilson foundered off Harrisville, Michigan, after springing a leak in a storm. In both cases, the crews survived, highlighting the resilience and quick action of mariners during that era.
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.
BELLE WALBRIDGE (1857–1886)
Identification & Site Information
- Name: Belle Walbridge
- Former Names: None
- Official Registration Number: 2234
- Date Built & Launched: 1857
- Builder: G.W. Jones, Cleveland, Ohio
- Construction: Wooden-hulled schooner
- Dimensions: Length: 138 ft (42.1 m); Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth: 10 ft (3.0 m)
- Tonnage: 271 gross tons; 257 net tons
- Date Lost: November 22, 1886
- Location of Loss: Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan
- Coordinates: Not publicly disclosed
- Cargo at Time of Loss: Telegraph poles
- Cause of Loss: Collided with a pier during a southeast gale and sank at the harbor entrance
- Crew: No casualties reported
- Final Disposition: Total loss; wreck was stripped and reported broken up by December 10, 1886
- Owner at Time of Loss: Not specified
- Sources: Great Lakes Shipwreck Files(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia)
Vessel Type
The Belle Walbridge was a wooden-hulled schooner, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, primarily used for transporting bulk cargoes such as lumber, coal, and other goods.
Description
Built in 1857 by G.W. Jones in Cleveland, Ohio, the Belle Walbridge measured 138 feet (42.1 meters) in length, with a beam of 26 feet (7.9 meters) and a depth of 10 feet (3.0 meters). She had a gross tonnage of 271 and a net tonnage of 257. The vessel underwent major repairs in 1867, 1874, and 1880, indicating a long service life on the Great Lakes.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
History
On November 22, 1886, the Belle Walbridge was carrying a cargo of telegraph poles when she encountered a southeast gale while approaching Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The vessel collided with a pier at the harbor entrance and sank. The crew managed to escape to the government pier, and no casualties were reported. The wreck was found ashore and reported as a total loss on December 4, 1886. By December 10, the vessel had been stripped of her outfit and cargo and was reported broken up.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Disposition
The Belle Walbridge was declared a total loss following the incident. The wreck was stripped and broken up shortly after the sinking.
Located By & Date Found
There is no publicly available information indicating that the wreck of the Belle Walbridge has been located or surveyed.
NOTMARs & Advisories
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories related to the Belle Walbridge. Mariners operating in the vicinity of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, should consult the latest nautical charts and local notices for any updates.
Resources & Links
Both the Belle Walbridge and the Belle Wilson met their ends due to severe weather conditions on the Great Lakes, a common hazard for vessels during the 19th century. The Belle Walbridge was lost after colliding with a pier during a gale in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, while the Belle Wilson foundered off Harrisville, Michigan, after springing a leak in a storm. In both cases, the crews survived, highlighting the resilience and quick action of mariners during that era.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Suggested Keywords & Categories
Keywords: Belle Walbridge, Belle Wilson, schooner, steambarge, Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, shipwreck, 19th-century maritime history(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Shipwrecks of Lake Huron, Great Lakes Maritime History, 19th-Century Vessels, 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.
- Steambarge: A steam-powered barge used primarily for transporting bulk cargoes on inland waterways.
- Foundered: A term indicating that a vessel has filled with water and sunk.
- Total Loss: A term indicating that a vessel is damaged beyond repair or recovery.
If you require further information or have additional inquiries about Great Lakes shipwrecks, feel free to ask!
belle-walbridge-us-2234 1886-11-22 13:06:00