Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Dart US 6658

Explore the remains of the Dart, a two-masted wooden schooner that grounded in Lake Michigan during a gale in 1883, with a rich history of service and life-saving operations.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Dart
  • Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
  • Year Built: 1867
  • Builder: H. L. Turner
  • Dimensions: 57 ft (17.37 m); 16 ft; 6 ft
  • Registered Tonnage: 26.35 GRT
  • Location: ½ mile north of Two Rivers Harbor
  • Coordinates: approx. 44° 9.427′ N / 87° 32.530′ W
  • Official Number: 6658
  • Original Owners: A.B. Melendy; later Packard & Larson, Manitowoc, WI
  • Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Type & Rig: Two-masted wooden schooner, fore-and-aft rig

Description

The Dart was a two-masted wooden schooner built in 1867, primarily used for transporting fruit, particularly apples. It measured 57 feet in length, 16 feet in beam, and had a depth of hold of 6 feet, with a registered tonnage of approximately 26.35 gross tons.

History

The Dart had a varied operational history, including grounding incidents and ownership changes. It was purchased by Packard & Larson in 1877 and underwent a structural rebuild in 1880. Notably, it was reported possibly wrecked near Two Rivers in December 1882 but returned to service shortly thereafter.

Significant Incidents

  • 1869, April 1: Aground on Stoney Island Reef; refloated with minor damage.
  • 1870, June 23: Rammed a fishing boat, continued voyage without delay.
  • 1882, December: Reported possibly wrecked near Two Rivers; later returned to service.

Final Disposition

On October 28, 1883, during a gale, the Dart dropped anchor but the anchor line parted, causing the vessel to drift ashore and ground in the surf zone. The Two Rivers Life-Saving Station responded quickly, ensuring the crew was safe and salvaging the cargo. Salvage efforts continued until November 2, when they were abandoned, and the wreck gradually broke apart in the surf.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The grounding occurred in shallow surf conditions, and over the decades, wave action, ice, and shifting sands likely destroyed or buried the remains. Archaeological potential is minimal, with no known submerged structural remains identified.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”dart-us-6658″ title=”References & Links”]

The Dart’s loss underscores the risks faced by small coastal schooners in the late Lake Michigan season and highlights the effective response of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, showcasing the resilience of life-saving crews before modern Coast Guard services.

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: Dart
  • Registry Number: 6658
  • Built: 1867 in Green Bay, WI by H. L. Turner
  • Owners: A.B. Melendy; later Packard & Larson, Manitowoc, WI
  • Home Port: Manitowoc, Wisconsin
  • Date of Loss: 28 October 1883; formally listed as “Total Loss” in Milwaukee documents surrendered on 2 November 1888 (Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
  • Lives Lost: 0; crew safely ashore
  • Location of Loss: Grounded and beached about ½ mile north of Two Rivers Harbor in Lake Michigan
  • Coordinates: approx. 44° 9.427′ N / 87° 32.530′ W
  • Depth: Historic surf-zone grounding; present-day remains likely buried or dispersed

Vessel Description

  • Type & Rig: Two‑masted wooden schooner, fore-and-aft rig
  • Dimensions: 57 ft length × 16 ft beam × 6 ft depth of hold (~26.35 GRT)
  • Cargo on Final Voyage: Fruit (apples)
  • Crew: Small; exact number unreported

Operational & Service History

  • 1869, April 1: Aground on Stoney Island Reef; refloated with minor damage
  • 1870, June 23: Rammed a fishing boat, continued voyage without delay
  • 1877, June 28: Purchased by Packard & Larson for $1,500
  • 1880: Underwent structural rebuild
  • December 1882: Reported possibly wrecked near Two Rivers; later returned to service (2 Manitowoc, Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Final Voyage & Life‑Saving Operations

  • On October 28, 1883, the Dart dropped anchor about 0.5 miles north of Two Rivers harbor during a gale. At 3:00 a.m., the anchor line parted. Despite attempts to set sail, the vessel drifted ashore and grounded in the surf zone (Wisconsin Shipwrecks).
  • The Two Rivers Life‑Saving Station responded within five minutes. Both crew members were ashore safely. Over 50 surfboat trips were made to unload the cargo of fruit. Masts were removed for eventual salvage (2 Manitowoc).
  • October 29: Salvage efforts began with the steamer J.E. Rumble, followed by the U.S. Revenue Cutter Johnson. Attempts to free the Dart continued until November 2, when salvage was abandoned. The wreck broke apart gradually in the surf; final paperwork surrendered in 1888 (2 Manitowoc).

Archaeological & Environmental Status

  • The grounding occurred in shallow surf conditions. Over decades, wave action, ice, and shifting sands likely destroyed or buried the remains.
  • Archaeological potential is minimal; no known submerged structural remains have been identified.

Historical & Life‑Saving Significance

  • This case highlights the proactive work of the U.S. Life-Saving Service, particularly its station in Two Rivers (established 1880), which rapidly responded and conducted cargo salvage efficiently.
  • Dart’s loss exemplifies the risks faced by small coastal schooners carrying perishable cargo (like apples) late in the Lake Michigan season—and the resilience of life-saving crews before modern Coast Guard services.

Resources & References

  • Wisconsin Shipwrecks Database – Dart vessel details and final voyage summary (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
  • Ships and Shipwrecks of Manitowoc County – summary of the Dart’s wreckage event and rescue operations (2 Manitowoc)
  • Historical context on U.S. Life-Saving Service operations at Two Rivers station (General source) (UW-Madison Libraries)

Keywords & Categories

  • Region: Lake Michigan, Manitowoc County (Two Rivers)
  • Vessel Type: Two-masted wooden schooner (fruit trade)
  • Cargo: Apples / fruit
  • Cause of Loss: Gale-driven anchor failure and beach grounding
  • Material: Wooden hull
  • Service Period: 1867–1883
  • Archaeological Potential: Very low (site destroyed/dispersed by natural action)
dart-us-6658 1883-10-28 18:00:00