Coquette US 5057

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Coquette
• Type: Two-masted schooner (converted to sloop rig, 1860)
• Year Built: 1858
• Builder: A. & D. Bailey, Perry, Ohio
• Dimensions: Length 87.8 ft (26.8 m); Beam 20.0 ft (6.1 m); Depth of hold 9.0 ft (2.7 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 95.91
• Location: Lake Michigan, off Kenosha County, Wisconsin
• Coordinates: N 42° 35.409′ / W 087° 12.993′
• Official Number: 5057
• Original Owners: Mr. Nat Sanders of Menominee (last known owner)
• Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

• Type: Two-masted schooner (converted to sloop rig, 1860)
• Propulsion: Sail
• Hull Material: Wood

Description

• Length: 87.8 ft / 26.8 m
• Beam: 20.0 ft / 6.1 m
• Depth of Hold: 9.0 ft / 2.7 m
• Gross Tonnage: 95.91
• Cargo at Loss: 8 tons of pig iron (ballast)
• Home Port: Milwaukee, WI
• Builders: A. & D. Bailey, Perry, Ohio

History

• 1858: Launched as a schooner; later struck shoals and briefly sank—recovered.
• 1859: Acquired by U.S. Government for Lake Survey service.
• 1860: Rigging changed to sloop.
• 1864: Wrecked at Rock Island, Green Bay.
• December 1865: Rebuilt and returned to commercial service.
• May 1866: Sold by U.S. Government to private owners (Mr. Nat Sanders of Menominee).
• June 2, 1866: Final Enrollment surrendered at Milwaukee.

Significant Incidents

• Date: July 17, 1866
• Cause: Capsized in sudden northeast squall off Waukegan
• Incident Summary:
  • The schooner was lightly ballasted, carrying only pig iron, and had no sail set when struck broadside by a squall.
  • The vessel rolled over and capsized almost instantly.
  • Capt. Patrick Lee, mate Robert Scott, and two others drowned.
  • Nat Sanders (owner) and one crew member were rescued by the schooner Falcon at dawn after being found clinging to debris in critical condition.
  • The Coquette was a former government survey ship and had recently returned to private cargo service.
• Reported By: Door County Advocate, July 26, 1866, page 1

Final Disposition

• No confirmed archaeological site reported as of current research.
• Coordinates provided suggest potential shallow-depth wreckage in Kenosha County waters, suitable for targeted survey.

Current Condition & Accessibility

• None noted. This wreck predates modern hazard-to-navigation registries.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”coquette-us-5057″ title=”References & Links”]

The Coquette was a lightly built mid-sized schooner with mixed public and private service. Her capsizing in 1866 highlights the dangers of light loading and sudden Lake Michigan weather shifts. As a former U.S. Government survey vessel, she also holds significance for the study of federal inland navigation efforts. A prime target for archaeological verification, her potential remains could help better understand smaller commercial transitions after Civil War-era fleet transfers.