Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Eliphalet Cramer
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1847
- Builder: Gilsen (Gelson), Milwaukee
- Dimensions: 105 ft (32 m); Beam 20 ft; Depth of hold 9 ft
- Registered Tonnage: approximately 161 gross tons
- Location: Mouth of the Manistee River, Lake Michigan
- Original Owners: Chicago-registered at time of loss
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Two-masted wooden schooner
Description
The Eliphalet Cramer was a wooden schooner built in 1847, measuring 105 feet in length, with a beam of 20 feet and a depth of 9 feet. At the time of her loss, she was carrying lumber.
History
Constructed in Milwaukee, the Eliphalet Cramer was registered in Chicago at the time of her loss. She was surrendered in Chicago in 1859 after being declared a total loss.
Significant Incidents
- Date & Location: Early May 1858, mouth of the Manistee River, Lake Michigan.
- Event: Caught in a storm, the vessel was driven ashore and wrecked beyond salvage.
- Outcome: Declared a total loss, with the registry surrendered in Chicago the following year.
- Casualties: None mentioned—no crew loss was reported.
Final Disposition
The Eliphalet Cramer was declared a total loss after being wrecked in a storm. Her registry was formally surrendered in Chicago by 1859.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is not documented, and accessibility details are unknown.
Resources & Links
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The wreck of the Eliphalet Cramer serves as a reminder of the maritime challenges faced by vessels in the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Further research may uncover more about her final moments and the conditions that led to her loss.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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