Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: E.M. Portch
- Type: Three-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: De Pere (or Green Bay), Wisconsin—by Sorenson or Jacob Johnson
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: ~306 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 3.66 m / 12 ft
- Location: ~15 miles NE of Sheboygan, WI
- Official Number: 8300
- Original Owners: Jacob Johnson
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Three-masted wooden schooner
Description
The E.M. Portch was a three-masted wooden schooner built in 1867, primarily used for transporting cargo such as cedar logs.
History
The vessel was constructed in De Pere (or Green Bay), Wisconsin, by either Sorenson or Jacob Johnson. It was registered under the official number 8300 and was homeported in Chicago.
Significant Incidents
- Final Voyage (March 27, 1882): The E.M. Portch was en route from Chicago to Rowley Bay, WI, carrying cedar logs when it encountered heavy gale and foggy conditions about 15 miles northeast of Sheboygan, Lake Michigan. The steam barge Leland struck her amidships, creating a significant breach in her bow. Despite rescue efforts, she sank in about 12 ft of water close to the piers, and a subsequent gale drove the wreck onto the harbor structure, resulting in total loss. All 8 aboard survived.
- Prior Incident (1871): The E.M. Portch previously grounded off Beaver Island, Lake Michigan, in a storm during winter 1871. She was refloated later that fall but sank again and was salvaged in 1872.
Final Disposition
The vessel was declared a loss in August 1883 after failed salvage attempts by the Milwaukee Tug Company. The wreck remained in shallow harbor waters, gradually dismantled or decayed against the piers.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is not well-documented, but it is known to have been broken against the piers and gradually dismantled over time.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”e-m-portch-us-8300″ title=”References & Links”]
The E.M. Portch serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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