Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

D.G. Wright US 35185

Explore the tragic story of the D.G. Wright, a scow-schooner lost in a storm on Lake Michigan in 1875, with a focus on its historical significance and potential for discovery.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: D.G. Wright
  • Type: Scow-Schooner (Wooden Sailing Vessel)
  • Year Built: 1868
  • Builder: L. Ingraham, South Haven, Michigan
  • Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: 125 tons (old measurement)
  • Location: 9 miles north of South Haven, Michigan
  • Official Number: 35185
  • Original Owners: Unknown (likely operated out of South Haven or Chicago)
  • Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The D.G. Wright was a scow-schooner, a flat-bottomed sailing vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes for carrying bulk cargoes like lumber, stone, and grain.

  • Scow-schooners were particularly well-suited for shallow harbors and rivers, making them essential for Michigan’s lumber trade.
  • They were typically cheaper to build and operate than deep-draft schooners but were more vulnerable to storms due to their boxy shape and low freeboard.
  • The D.G. Wright was built in South Haven, Michigan, a center for lumber shipping on Lake Michigan.

Description

The D.G. Wright was a wooden scow-schooner designed for the transportation of lumber. With a tonnage of 125 tons, it was built to navigate the shallow waters of the Great Lakes, particularly suited for the lumber trade that was vital to the region’s economy.

History

The D.G. Wright departed Saugatuck, Michigan, on the evening of May 11, 1875, loaded with lumber bound for Chicago, Illinois. Shortly after departure, a violent storm arose over Lake Michigan, which was particularly dangerous for scow-schooners due to their flat bottoms and heavy cargo loads.

The vessel capsized during the night, unable to withstand the storm’s heavy winds and waves. By the next morning, her overturned hull washed ashore 9 miles north of South Haven, resulting in the loss of all six crew members.

Significant Incidents

  • May 11-12, 1875: The D.G. Wright capsized during a storm on Lake Michigan, leading to the loss of six crew members.

Final Disposition

There are no reports of significant salvage efforts, suggesting the vessel was too badly damaged to be recovered. Given that her hulk washed ashore, it is likely some of her lumber cargo was retrieved.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wooden hull likely broke apart over time, either washed away by waves or buried beneath sand. Iron fastenings, anchors, or ship fittings may still be present underwater. No known modern wreck discoveries have been linked to the D.G. Wright, but local divers and historians may be aware of remnants.

Resources & Links

The D.G. Wright was a hardworking scow-schooner that met a tragic end on May 11-12, 1875, when a violent storm capsized her on her way to Chicago. Her wreckage washed ashore 9 miles north of South Haven, but all six crew members perished. Today, her remains likely lie buried in the sands of South Haven’s shoreline, waiting to be rediscovered.