Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Bridgewater
- Type: Wooden-hulled propeller steamer
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder: Not specified in available records
- Dimensions: Not specified in available records
- Registered Tonnage: Not specified in available records
- Location: Lake Michigan, near Waugoschance Point
- Official Number: Not specified in available records
- Original Owners: Not specified in available records
- Number of Masts: Not specified in available records
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden-hulled propeller steamer
Description
The Bridgewater was a wooden-hulled propeller steamer constructed in 1866. Specific details regarding her dimensions and tonnage are not readily available in current records.
History
On December 1, 1875, the Bridgewater ran aground near Waugoschance Point in Lake Michigan. The vessel was released from the grounding relatively quickly and was subsequently towed to Buffalo, New York, for repairs. However, during the repair process, the vessel caught fire and was destroyed.
Significant Incidents
- Grounded near Waugoschance Point on December 1, 1875.
- Destroyed by fire during repairs in Buffalo, New York.
Final Disposition
The Bridgewater was destroyed by fire while undergoing repairs in Buffalo, New York, following a grounding incident near Waugoschance Point.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of current records, the wreck site of the Bridgewater has not been located or documented.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”bridgewater-1866″ title=”References & Links”]
The Bridgewater serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by maritime vessels in the 19th century, particularly the risks associated with grounding and the subsequent repair processes. The vessel’s destruction by fire during repairs underscores the vulnerabilities of wooden-hulled steamers of that era.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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