Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Byron
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: Circa 1849
- Builder: Not specified
- Dimensions: Length: 36 ft (11.0 m); Beam: 12 ft (3.7 m); Depth of hold:
- Registered Tonnage: Not specified
- Depth at Wreck Site: 41.1 m / 135 ft
- Location: Approximately 12 miles southeast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin
- Official Number: Not documented
- Original Owners: Not specified
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Byron was a small, two-masted wooden schooner, representative of the lakeshoring vessels common on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. These vessels were integral to regional commerce, facilitating trade between emerging coastal communities. (Wikipedia, Wisconsin Historical Society)
Description
Measuring 36 feet in length with a beam of 12 feet, the Byron was a modestly sized schooner designed for coastal trade. Her construction details are not extensively documented, but she would have featured the typical characteristics of lakeshoring schooners of the era, including a shallow draft suitable for navigating the varied depths of the Great Lakes. (Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Facebook)
History
On the evening of May 8, 1867, the Byron was en route from Milwaukee to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, carrying a cargo of salt and general freight. Approximately four miles off Amsterdam, Wisconsin, she collided with the upbound schooner Canton. The Canton, a larger vessel, unexpectedly changed course and struck the Byron, causing her to capsize. Captain William Burmeister, his son Byron, and passenger W.G. Luvell managed to climb aboard the Canton before the Byron sank. Despite Captain Burmeister’s request, the Canton‘s crew refused to assist in righting the Byron, and the vessel sank approximately 15 minutes after the collision. The survivors were set ashore near the accident site and walked over ten miles to Sheboygan before continuing their journey to Manitowoc. (npgallery.nps.gov, Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Significant Incidents
- Collision with the schooner Canton on May 8, 1867.
Final Disposition
The Byron was declared a total loss following the collision. At the time of her loss, the vessel was valued at approximately $1,000, with her cargo valued at an additional $400. Captain Burmeister did not have insurance coverage for either the vessel or the cargo. (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Byron was discovered in May 1977 by a commercial fisherman who snagged one of the vessel’s anchors in his net. Recreational divers subsequently located the wreck site, situated in 135 feet (41.1 meters) of water approximately 12 miles southeast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Over the years, much of the vessel’s cargo and equipment were recovered by divers. (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”byron-1849″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Byron‘s sinking highlights the perils of 19th-century maritime navigation on the Great Lakes, particularly for smaller vessels engaged in regional trade. Her story contributes to our understanding of the economic and cultural importance of lakeshoring schooners in Wisconsin’s development. The wreck site offers valuable insights into the construction and operation of these vessels, serving as a tangible link to the maritime heritage of the Great Lakes. (Wisconsin Historical Society)
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Byron
- Official Number: Not documented
- Date Built and Launched: Circa 1849
- Builder: Not specified
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Dimensions: Length: 36 ft (11.0 m); Beam: 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Tonnage: Not specified
- Date Lost: May 8, 1867
- Location of Loss: Approximately 12 miles southeast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan
- Cause of Loss: Collision with the schooner Canton
- Cargo: Salt and general freight
- Loss of Life: None reported(Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Wikipedia, npgallery.nps.gov, Wikipedia, U.S. Senate)
Vessel Type
The Byron was a small, two-masted wooden schooner, representative of the lakeshoring vessels common on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. These vessels were integral to regional commerce, facilitating trade between emerging coastal communities.(Wikipedia, Wisconsin Historical Society)
Description
Measuring 36 feet in length with a beam of 12 feet, the Byron was a modestly sized schooner designed for coastal trade. Her construction details are not extensively documented, but she would have featured the typical characteristics of lakeshoring schooners of the era, including a shallow draft suitable for navigating the varied depths of the Great Lakes.(Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Facebook)
History
On the evening of May 8, 1867, the Byron was en route from Milwaukee to Manitowoc, Wisconsin, carrying a cargo of salt and general freight. Approximately four miles off Amsterdam, Wisconsin, she collided with the upbound schooner Canton. The Canton, a larger vessel, unexpectedly changed course and struck the Byron, causing her to capsize. Captain William Burmeister, his son Byron, and passenger W.G. Luvell managed to climb aboard the Canton before the Byronsank. Despite Captain Burmeister’s request, the Canton‘s crew refused to assist in righting the Byron, and the vessel sank approximately 15 minutes after the collision. The survivors were set ashore near the accident site and walked over ten miles to Sheboygan before continuing their journey to Manitowoc. (npgallery.nps.gov, Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Final Disposition
The Byron was declared a total loss following the collision. At the time of her loss, the vessel was valued at approximately $1,000, with her cargo valued at an additional $400. Captain Burmeister did not have insurance coverage for either the vessel or the cargo. (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Located By & Date Found
The wreck of the Byron was discovered in May 1977 by a commercial fisherman who snagged one of the vessel’s anchors in his net. Recreational divers subsequently located the wreck site, situated in 135 feet (41.1 meters) of water approximately 12 miles southeast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Over the years, much of the vessel’s cargo and equipment were recovered by divers. (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Notmars & Advisories
There are no current navigational warnings or advisories related to the Byron‘s wreck site. Given the depth and location of the wreck, it does not pose a known hazard to navigation.
Resources & Links
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks: Byron (1849)
- National Register of Historic Places: Byron Shipwreck
- National Park Service: Byron Shipwreck Continuation Sheet
Conclusion
The Byron‘s sinking highlights the perils of 19th-century maritime navigation on the Great Lakes, particularly for smaller vessels engaged in regional trade. Her story contributes to our understanding of the economic and cultural importance of lakeshoring schooners in Wisconsin’s development. The wreck site offers valuable insights into the construction and operation of these vessels, serving as a tangible link to the maritime heritage of the Great Lakes.(Wisconsin Historical Society)
Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms
- Keywords: Byron, schooner, Lake Michigan, shipwreck, 1867, Sheboygan, Wisconsin, lakeshoring vessel
- Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, 19th Century Shipwrecks
- Glossary Terms:
- Schooner: A type of sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically with the foremast shorter than the mainmast, used extensively on the Great Lakes for cargo transport.
- Lakeshoring Vessel: A small, shallow-draft vessel designed for trade along the shores of the Great Lakes, facilitating commerce between coastal communities.
- Capsize: To overturn in the water.
- Constructive Total Loss: A situation where the cost of repairing a damaged vessel exceeds its value, leading to it being declared a total loss for insurance purposes.(Wisconsin Historical Society)