Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Daisy Day
- Type: Steam Barge
- Year Built: 1880
- Builder: Jasper Hanson (Hanson & Scove)
- Dimensions: 103.4 ft × 20.7 ft; Beam; 7.6 ft depth
- Registered Tonnage: 146.86 GRT / 124.67 NRT
- Depth at Wreck Site: 3 m / 10 ft
- Location: Off Lee's Pier, near Little Point Sable, MI
- Original Owners: Jacobs & Guyles, Manitowoc
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden steambarge designed as a “lumber hooker”—anchored via hook in small ports without docks.
Description
Description
The Daisy Day is a wooden steambarge that was built in 1880. It was primarily used for transporting lumber and was designed to operate in shallow waters where traditional docking facilities were unavailable.
History
History
The Daisy Day had a tumultuous operational history, marked by several incidents including grounding and collisions. Notable events include:
- 1881: Lost rudder; collided and grounded in Two Rivers, WI.
- 1882: Grounded near Sturgeon Bay; lost cargo; broke shaft in Chicago, requiring Lifesaving Service aid.
- 1885–1889: Multiple strandings near Little Sable Point, narrowly escaping loss due to a sawmill fire.
Despite these challenges, the vessel continued to operate until its final voyage in 1891.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- 1881: Lost rudder; collided and grounded in Two Rivers, WI.
- 1882: Grounded near Sturgeon Bay; lost cargo; broke shaft in Chicago, requiring Lifesaving Service aid.
- 1885–1889: Multiple strandings near Little Sable Point; narrowly escaped loss due to sawmill fire.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
On October 11, 1891, while laden with lumber, the Daisy Day was caught in a gale off Lee’s Pier. A stiff offshore wind formed a sandbar, and mismanagement of the anchor line caused the vessel to drift aground and be battered into the pier by gale-force surf. The wreck broke apart and sank in shallow surf within 24 hours, with machinery salvaged shortly thereafter.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Daisy Day is partially exposed on a shifting sandbar off Clay Banks Township Park. It was first recorded by David Miesch in August 2003. The site features visible keel stringers, a boiler, partial frames, and a 5-ft diameter propeller blade lying 5–10 ft underwater, making it accessible for snorkeling or shallow SCUBA diving. The site is protected and valued for educational shore-diving visits.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”daisy-day-1880″ title=”References & Links”]
Closing Summary
The Daisy Day serves as a significant historical artifact, embodying the late-19th-century lumber transport and steambarge design. It offers educational value and is protected under Michigan wreck laws, making it an important site for public maritime history and archaeological study.
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.
(Steam Barge “Lumber Hooker”, 1880–1891)
Identification & Construction
- Built: 1880 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin by Jasper Hanson (Hanson & Scove)
- Type: Wooden steambarge designed as a “lumber hooker”—anchored via hook in small ports without docks
- Original Owners: Jacobs & Guyles, Manitowoc
- Dimensions: 103.4 ft × 20.7 ft beam × 7.6 ft depth
- Tonnage: 146.86 GRT / 124.67 NRT
- Propulsion: Single screw with later-engined upgrades reported (~130 hp after 1888) (OCLC, Michigan Shipwreck Research Association, Michigan Shipwreck Research Association)
Operational History & Mishaps
The DAY, DAISY endured a checkered career typical of lumber hookers navigating challenging nearshore waters:
- 1881: Lost rudder; collided and grounded in Two Rivers, WI
- 1882: Grounded near Sturgeon Bay; lost cargo; broke shaft in Chicago, requiring Lifesaving Service aid
- 1885–1889: Multiple strandings near Little Sable Point, Mears, Montague; narrowly escaped loss due to sawmill fire (Michigan Shipwreck Research Association)
Despite repeated damage and rescue interventions, she continued service until her final voyage.
Final Voyage & Wreck (October 11, 1891)
- Voyage: Laden with lumber, secured by hook, off Lee’s Pier near Little Point Sable, MI
- Incident: A stiff offshore wind formed a sandbar; reported mismanaged anchor line pulled the bow; vessel drifted aground then battered into the pier by gale-force surf (Michigan Shipwreck Research Association)
- Wreck Condition: Broken, riddled, and sank in shallow surf within 24 hours; machinery salvaged later (circa 1891–1892)
Archaeological Discovery
- Rediscovery: Partially exposed on a shifting sandbar off Clay Banks Township Park—first recorded by David Miesch in August 2003 (Michigan Shipwreck Research Association)
- Site Remains: Visible keel stringers, boiler, partial frames, and a 5-ft diameter propeller blade lying 5–10 ft underwater (, ; diveable by snorkel or shallow SCUBA) (Michigan Shipwreck Research Association)
- Protection: Site is protected, publicly accessible, and valued for educational shore-diving visits
Summary Table
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built / Role | 1880, Manitowoc — lumber hooker (steam barge) |
| Tonnage / Power | 147 GRT; ~130 hp after engine upgrades |
| Notable Incidents | Groundings, lost rudder, broken shaft, mills fires (1881–1889) |
| Wreck Date | October 11, 1891 off Lee’s Pier during gale |
| Site Discovery | Rediscovered 2003; remains in shallow surf (5–10 ft / 1.5–3 m) |
| Modern Status | Shore-accessible dive site; remains periodically buried & exposed |
Importance & Research Potential
- Historic Significance: Embodies late-19th-century lumber transport and steambarge design tailored to frontier ports
- Educational Value: Serves as a visible, accessible site for public maritime history and shallow-water archaeological study
- Conservation: Remains protected under Michigan wreck laws; site periodically rescues historian interest
Next Steps
- Explore Oceana County local papers (Oct 1891) for eyewitness reports, recovery/removal details
- Review enrollment documentation at NARA Region 5 or Milwaukee to detail masters, engine rebuild, insurance
- Liaise with Michigan Shipwreck Research Association for dive logs, measurements, and condition assessments