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.

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Beloit
• Former Names: None reported
• Official Registration Number: Not available
• Date Built & Launched: 1862
• Builder: Not specified
• Construction: Wooden-hulled schooner
• Dimensions: Not specified
• Tonnage: Originally 431 tons as a brig; converted to a 3-masted schooner in 1869–70; possibly converted to a barge in 1876
• Date Lost: November 19, 1881
• Location of Loss: Michigan City, Indiana, Lake Michigan
• Coordinates: Not publicly disclosed
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Not specified
• Cause of Loss: Collided with a pier during a gale and sank
• Crew: No casualties reported
• Final Disposition: Total loss
• Owner at Time of Loss: Not specified
• Sources: Great Lakes Shipwreck Files

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.

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.

Located By & Date Found

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

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories related to the Beloit. Mariners operating in the vicinity of Michigan City, Indiana, should consult the latest nautical charts and local notices for any updates.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – Beloit

Conclusion

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.

Suggested Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Beloit, schooner, Lake Michigan shipwreck, 1881 gale, maritime history

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Great Lakes Maritime History, 19th-Century Schooners, Maritime Disasters

Glossary Terms:

• Brig: A sailing vessel with two square-rigged masts.
• Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically with the foremast shorter than the mainmast.
• Gale: A strong wind, typically used to describe wind speeds between 34 and 40 knots (39–46 mph or 63–74 km/h).
• Total Loss: A term indicating that a vessel is damaged beyond repair or recovery.

Shore Dive Information

Given that the Beloit‘s wreck has not been located and is presumed to have deteriorated over time, there is no shore dive information available for this site.

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