Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Calumet
- Type: U.S. propeller steamer
- Year Built: 1884
- Builder: Union Dry Dock Co., Buffalo, NY
- Dimensions: 256.66 × 37.16 × 19.66 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 1,526 GT; wooden hull (hull no. 38)
- Location: Off Fort Sheridan, Lake Michigan
- Coordinates: Approximately 1,000 yards off Fort Sheridan
- Official Number: 126237
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Calumet was a wooden propeller steamer, designed for cargo transport across the Great Lakes.
Description
Built in 1884 by Union Dry Dock Co. in Buffalo, NY, the Calumet measured 256.66 feet in length, 37.16 feet in beam, and had a depth of 19.66 feet. It had a gross tonnage of 1,526 GT and was constructed with a wooden hull.
History
The Calumet was primarily used for transporting coal and other cargo across the Great Lakes. On the evening of November 27, 1889, it departed from Buffalo, New York, bound for Milwaukee.
Significant Incidents
- November 27, 1889: The vessel ran aground during a severe blizzard approximately 1,000 yards off Fort Sheridan, Illinois, after suffering hull damage in the Detroit River.
Final Disposition
After the rescue of its crew, the Calumet broke apart and sank. By the following morning, only the stem and sternpost were visible above water. The wreck site remains uncharted and is considered a hazard.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is located off Fort Sheridan in Lake Michigan. Reports indicate that it poses no navigational hazard, and the site remains largely undisturbed and obscured underwater.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”calumet-us-126237″ title=”References & Links”]
The Calumet represents a significant maritime incident, with its dramatic rescue earning historic recognition. The submerged remnants offer potential for archaeological documentation and heritage interpretation.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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