Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Big Z
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1844
- Builder: Not specified in available records
- Dimensions: Length 112.2 ft (34.2 m); Beam 20 ft (6.1 m); Depth of hold 8.6 ft (2.6 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 168.67 gross tons
- Location: Approximately five miles south of Sheboygan, Wisconsin
- Official Number: Not located in available records
- Original Owners: Not specified in available records
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden two-masted schooner
Description
The Big Z was a wooden two-masted schooner constructed in 1844. She underwent a significant rebuild in 1848 in New York, which extended her length from 88 feet (26.8 metres) to 112.2 feet (34.2 metres) and increased her gross tonnage from 128.28 to 168.67. Designed for cargo transport across the Great Lakes, she was a typical example of mid-19th-century schooners, characterized by their shallow drafts and broad beams, enabling navigation in the region’s shallow harbors and rivers.
History
On February 9, 1859, the Big Z was anchored five miles south of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, en route from Racine to Amsterdam, Wisconsin, carrying a cargo of staves. During a storm, she sprang a leak, filled with water, and drifted ashore, where she broke apart. Contemporary reports described her as “an old rotten craft,” and it was considered fortunate that no lives were lost in the incident.
Significant Incidents
- February 9, 1859: The Big Z sank during a storm, breaking apart near Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
Final Disposition
The Big Z was declared a total loss after breaking apart near Sheboygan, Wisconsin, due to the storm.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of current records, the wreck site of the Big Z has not been located or documented.
Resources & Links
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The Big Z serves as a testament to the challenges faced by schooners navigating the Great Lakes in the mid-19th century. Her loss near Sheboygan, Wisconsin, underscores the perils of maritime transport during that era, particularly in the face of sudden and severe storms. While the exact location of her wreck remains unknown, the story of her final voyage contributes to the rich maritime history of Lake Michigan.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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