Beloit (1862)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Beloit
• Type: Schooner
• Year Built: 1862
• Builder: Not specified
• Dimensions: Not specified
• Registered Tonnage: Originally 431 tons as a brig; converted to a 3-masted schooner in 1869–70; possibly converted to a barge in 1876
• Location: Michigan City, Indiana, Lake Michigan
• Coordinates: Not publicly disclosed
• Official Number: Not available
• Original Owners: Not specified
• Number of Masts: Three masts

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Beloit was a wooden-hulled schooner, initially constructed as a brig in 1862. She underwent significant modifications during her service life, including a conversion to a three-masted schooner in 1869–70 and possibly to a barge in 1876. Such conversions were common as vessels aged or as their intended use changed.

Description

Specific details regarding the Beloit‘s dimensions are not readily available. However, she was originally a 431-ton brig, indicating a vessel of moderate size for the Great Lakes during that period. Her construction as a wooden-hulled vessel was typical for the era, and her subsequent conversions suggest adaptability to the evolving demands of maritime commerce.

History

The Beloit had a service life marked by several significant events:

• 1868: She went ashore near White Lake, Lake Michigan, during a storm. The crew was rescued after spending the night lashed to the rigging, highlighting the perilous nature of Great Lakes navigation during that era.
• November 19, 1881: While attempting to enter the harbor at Michigan City, Indiana, during a gale, the Beloit collided with a pier and sank. The crew escaped without loss of life.

These incidents underscore the challenges faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, where sudden storms and navigational hazards were constant threats.

Significant Incidents

• 1868: Went ashore near White Lake during a storm; crew rescued.
• November 19, 1881: Sank after colliding with a pier during a gale.

Final Disposition

Following her sinking in 1881, the Beloit was declared a total loss. There is no available information regarding salvage operations or the current state of the wreck.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As of current records, there is no publicly available information indicating that the wreck of the Beloit has been located or surveyed.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”beloit-1862″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]

The Beloit‘s history reflects the adaptability and challenges of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Her multiple conversions and eventual loss during a gale exemplify the risks inherent in lake navigation during that period.