Dan Hayes

Explore the wreck of the Dan Hayes, a scow schooner that sank in 1902 in Lake Michigan, showcasing 19th-century maritime construction.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Dan Hayes
  • Type: Scow Schooner
  • Year Built: 1868
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: Length 112 ft (34.1 m); Beam 24 ft (7.3 m); Depth of hold 7 ft (2.1 m)
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 2.4 m / 8 ft
  • Location: McCracken’s Cove, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
  • Official Number: 35041
  • Number of Masts: Not documented

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Dan Hayes was a scow schooner, a flat-bottomed sailing vessel designed for carrying bulk goods on the Great Lakes. The scow design allowed for easier navigation in shallow waters and made these vessels ideal for transporting heavy cargo such as lumber.

Description

Built in 1868, the Dan Hayes served for over three decades, primarily transporting lumber and other bulk materials. Scow schooners like the Dan Hayes were a common sight on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, valued for their practicality and simplicity.

In 1902, the vessel sank in McCracken’s Cove, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The exact circumstances of the sinking are unclear, but the vessel was nearing the end of its service life, and structural failure or adverse weather may have contributed to its loss.

Significant Incidents

  • The Dan Hayes sank in 1902 in McCracken’s Cove.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Dan Hayes lies in 8 ft (2.4 m) of water in Lake Michigan, within McCracken’s Cove near Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

  • The remains consist of the lower portion of the wooden hull.
  • Both the port and starboard sides are splayed out, lying flat on the sandy bottom.
  • The wreck provides an excellent example of 19th-century scow schooner construction, showcasing the design’s practicality and its role in Great Lakes commerce.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck has been identified and documented by organizations dedicated to preserving Wisconsin’s rich maritime history. Its location in shallow water makes it accessible for study and exploration.

The shallow depth of the wreck site makes it ideal for snorkelers and beginner divers. Visitors should take care not to disturb the fragile remains and adhere to local regulations for preserving historic shipwrecks.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”dan-hayes” title=”References & Links”]

Overall, the Dan Hayes serves as a significant reminder of the maritime history of the Great Lakes and the importance of scow schooners in the transportation of goods during the 19th century.

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.

Identification & Site Information:

  • Name(s): Dan Hayes
  • Registry: United States
  • Official Number: 35041
  • Vessel Type: Scow Schooner
  • Year Built: 1868
  • Year Sank: 1902
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Masts: Not documented
  • Engines: None
  • Dimensions:
    • Length: 112 ft (34.1 m)
    • Width: 24 ft (7.3 m)
    • Depth: 7 ft (2.1 m)

Vessel Type

The Dan Hayes was a scow schooner, a flat-bottomed sailing vessel designed for carrying bulk goods on the Great Lakes. The scow design allowed for easier navigation in shallow waters and made these vessels ideal for transporting heavy cargo such as lumber.

Description

Built in 1868, the Dan Hayes served for over three decades, primarily transporting lumber and other bulk materials. Scow schooners like the Dan Hayes were a common sight on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, valued for their practicality and simplicity.

In 1902, the vessel sank in McCracken’s Cove, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. The exact circumstances of the sinking are unclear, but the vessel was nearing the end of its service life, and structural failure or adverse weather may have contributed to its loss.

Final Dispositions

The wreck of the Dan Hayes lies in 8 ft (2.4 m) of water in Lake Michigan, within McCracken’s Cove near Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

• The remains consist of the lower portion of the wooden hull.

• Both the port and starboard sides are splayed out, lying flat on the sandy bottom.

• The wreck provides an excellent example of 19th-century scow schooner construction, showcasing the design’s practicality and its role in Great Lakes commerce.

Located By & Date Found

The wreck has been identified and documented by organizations dedicated to preserving Wisconsin’s rich maritime history. Its location in shallow water makes it accessible for study and exploration.

Notmars & Advisories

The shallow depth of the wreck site makes it ideal for snorkelers and beginner divers. Visitors should take care not to disturb the fragile remains and adhere to local regulations for preserving historic shipwrecks.

Resources & Links

3D Model – Dan Hayes

Keywords, Categories, Glossary

Keywords: Dan Hayes, Scow Schooner, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Shipwrecks

Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Scow Schooners

Glossary: Scow, Starboard, Port, Splayed Hull, Bulk Cargo

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