Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Churchill
- Type: Wood-hulled, three-masted schooner-barge (propeller assisted)
- Year Built: 1890
- Builder: Craig Shipbuilding Co.
- Dimensions: 202.4 ft (61.7 m) × 38.3 ft (11.7 m) × 16.3 ft (5.0 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1,010 GT / 959 NT
- Location: Off Waukegan, Illinois
- Official Number: 126629
- Original Owners: A.W. Comstock, Warde Transportation Company
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Designed as a large schooner-barge used primarily in ore-carrying operations, utilizing both sail and tug assistance. Represented the late-era auxiliary sail craft built to maximize cargo with minimal crew.
Description
Single-deck wooden hull with forecastle and three masts (likely fore-and-aft rigged to conserve crew). Equipped with minimal sail to aid towing operations.
History
- 17 May 1890: Launched at a cost of approximately US $45,000; enrolled at Port Huron; owned by A.W. Comstock of Alpena, MI; regularly towed by steamer Niko.
- 12 April 1892: Ownership transferred to Warde Transportation Company, Chicago.
- 13 October 1898: Laden with iron ore and under tow by steamer Majestic during a fierce gale off Waukegan. The Majestic struggled with rising seas, but Churchill foundered and sank. Two lives were lost: the captain and one crewman.
- 21 October 1898: Enrollment officially surrendered.
Significant Incidents
- Foundered during gale while under tow, resulting in the loss of two lives.
Final Disposition
The vessel was a total loss, having sunk during gale-strength waves while under tow. The Majestic survived, but Churchill’s sinking cost two lives and ended her service.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No modern dive survey or rediscovery has been recorded. The site lies off Waukegan in deep water, making it inaccessible for recreational exploration.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”churchill-us-126629″ title=”References & Links”]
The Churchill reflects a transitional design: large, auxiliary sail schooner-barges serving low-cost bulk transport—especially iron ore. Her loss highlights the perils of late-season ore-hauling voyages under tow. Though large and modern for its type, she could not withstand mid-lake gale conditions. No visible remnants remain, and the site is of archival rather than dive interest.
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: Churchill
- Official number: 126629
- Year built: 1890, Toledo, Ohio (Craig Shipbuilding)
- Builder: Craig Shipbuilding Co.
- Type: Wood-hulled, three-masted schooner-barge (propeller assisted)
- Dimensions: 61.7 m (202.4 ft) × 11.7 m (38.3 ft) × 5.0 m (16.3 ft)
- Tonnage: 1,010 GT / 959 NT
- Cargo capacity: Approximately 1,600 tons
- Final loss location: Off Waukegan, Illinois, Lake Michigan
- Loss date: 13 October 1898
- Loss method: Foundered during gale while under tow
Vessel Type
Designed as a large schooner-barge used primarily in ore-carrying operations, utilizing both sail and tug assistance. Represented the late-era auxiliary sail craft built to maximize cargo with minimal crew.
Description
Single-deck wooden hull with forecastle and three masts (likely fore-and-aft rigged to conserve crew). Equipped with minimal sail to aid towing operations.
History & Chronology
- 17 May 1890: Launched at a cost of approximately US $45,000; enrolled at Port Huron; owned by A.W. Comstock of Alpena, MI; regularly towed by steamer Niko.
- 12 April 1892: Ownership transferred to Warde Transportation Company, Chicago.
- 13 October 1898: Laden with iron ore and under tow by steamer Majestic during a fierce gale off Waukegan. The Majestic struggled with rising seas, but Churchill foundered and sank. Two lives were lost: the captain and one crewman. (Squarespace, greatlakesvesselhistory.com, diverdonscuba.com, greatlakesdrive.com)
- 21 October 1898: Enrollment officially surrendered. (greatlakesvesselhistory.com)
Final Disposition
The vessel was a total loss, having sunk during gale-strength waves while under tow. The Majestic survived, but Churchill’s sinking cost two lives and ended her service.
Located By & Date Found
No modern dive survey or rediscovery has been recorded. The site lies off Waukegan in deep water, making it inaccessible for recreational exploration.
Notmars & Advisories
No known modern navigational warnings or marine notices regarding the wreck site. The loss was noted historically but not mapped as a lasting hazard due to the depth and location.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Vessel History – Churchill: confirmed foundering Oct 1898 while in tow, loss of two lives (greatlakesvesselhistory.com)
- Marine History records: describe foundering during gale off Waukegan
- Enrollment and ownership chronology from Board of Underwriters and local newspaper clippings (C. Patrick Labadie collection)
Shore Dive Information
Not applicable — site lies in deep, open-water conditions unsuitable and unsafe for diving. No known commercial dive operations or surveys.
Conclusion
The Churchill reflects a transitional design: large, auxiliary sail schooner-barges serving low-cost bulk transport—especially iron ore. Her loss highlights the perils of late-season ore-hauling voyages under tow. Though large and modern for its type, she could not withstand mid-lake gale conditions. No visible remnants remain, and the site is of archival rather than dive interest.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
- Schooner-barge (auxiliary sail)
- Ore transport vessel
- Lake Michigan foundering
- Tow failure
- Waukegan maritime disaster