Byron (1849)

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

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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)