Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Elizabeth A. Nicholson
- Type: Wooden three-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1872
- Builder: E. Fitzgerald, Port Huron, Michigan
- Dimensions: ~188 × 33 × 14 ft; 722 GRT / 686 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 722 GRT / 686 NRT
- Location: 7 miles north of Evanston, IL
- Official Number: 8853
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden three-masted schooner, designed for bulk freight.
Description
The Elizabeth A. Nicholson was a wooden three-masted schooner built in 1872, primarily used for transporting coal, lumber, and general merchandise across the Great Lakes.
History
Built by E. Fitzgerald in Port Huron, Michigan, the Elizabeth A. Nicholson was part of the late 19th-century maritime economy, illustrating the tug-and-barge operations prevalent in the coal trade.
Significant Incidents
- November 25, 1895: Caught in a late-fall gale while being towed by the steam tug J. Emory Owen, the vessel was dropped from tow and driven onto rocks, resulting in grounding approximately 7 miles north of Evanston, IL.
- Outcome: The crew and cargo were saved, but the vessel was declared a total loss.
- Cargo: The ship was carrying coal at the time of its loss.
- Casualties: None reported.
Final Disposition
Despite being declared a total loss, the hull of the Elizabeth A. Nicholson was reportedly salvaged and refloated, although it was not re-registered, leaving its fate uncertain in official records.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, but it is noted that the hull was found ‘high on the beach’ after the grounding.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”elizabeth-a-nicholson-us-8853″ title=”References & Links”]
The Elizabeth A. Nicholson serves as a significant example of the maritime history of the Great Lakes, demonstrating the challenges faced by wooden vessels in severe weather and the evolving economic practices of the time.
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.
Identity & Specifications
- Official No.: 8853
- Rig: Wooden three-masted schooner, designed for bulk freight
- Built: 1872 by E. Fitzgerald, Port Huron, Michigan
- Dimensions: ~188 × 33 × 14 ft; 722 GRT / 686 NRT (Manitou Islands Archives, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia)
- Operating Area: Great Lakes freighters — carrying coal, lumber, and general merchandise
Final Voyage & Loss – November 25, 1895
- Route: Towed northward by the steam tug J. Emory Owen, headed toward Evanston, IL
- Incident: Caught in a late-fall gale; dropped from tow and driven onto rocks about 7 miles north of Evanston.
- Outcome: Grounded and declared a total loss as crew and cargo were saved; the hull was later noted as “high on the beach” (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Manitou Islands Archives)
- Cargo: Coal
- Casualties: None reported
Historical & Technical Significance
- Illustrates coordinated tug-and-barge operations common in the coal trade of the late 19th century
- Creative insurance and repair efforts: though considered a wreck, the hull was “cleverly and very expensively salvaged and refloated,” though not recorded in subsequent registries (Wikipedia, npshistory.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) — suggesting either re-purposing under a new name or return to service under the radar
- Example of shoreline wrecking during powerful storms, with no crew loss and partial salvage—illuminating both resilience of wooden hulls and evolving maritime economy in the Chicago/Evanston region
Research & Investigation Opportunities
| Focus Area | Action Plans |
|---|---|
| Archival Newspapers | Examine Chicago Tribune, Evanston News–Index, and Great Lakes marine bulletins (Nov–Dec 1895) for incident reports, insurance information, and salvage details |
| Tug & Pilot Logs | Access records from the J. Emory Owen (owner/operator logs), possibly retained in Detroit maritime archives |
| Coordinates & Survey | Based on location “7 mi N of Evanston,” conduct side-scan sonar and magnetometer survey to locate hull remains or debris fields |
| Registry and Title Searches | Track enrollment cancellation or transfer records via Official No. 8853 to uncover what became of the vessel post-salvage |
Summary
- Name: Elizabeth A. Nicholson (O‑No. 8853)
- Built: 1872, Port Huron, MI – three-mast wooden schooner
- Lost: Nov 25, 1895 – grounded in gale north of Evanston, IL; total loss hullside; crew survived
- Cargo: Coal
- Status: Not re-registered; rumored salvage—but fate remains uncertain in official records
- Significance: Demonstrates tug-assisted trade, storm-grounding survival, and salvage economics on the late 19th‑century Great Lakes