Elizabeth Jones US 8193

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Elizabeth Jones
• Type: 3-masted schooner
• Year Built: 1867
• Builder: Mason & Bidwell, Buffalo, New York
• Dimensions: Length: 184 ft (56.1 m); Beam: 23 ft (7.0 m); Depth of hold: 13 ft (4.0 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 636.47
• Depth at Wreck Site: 7.6 m / 25 ft
• Location: Racine, Wisconsin
• Coordinates: 42°43.349′ N, 87°44.774′ W
• Official Number: 8193
• Original Owners: Abell of Buffalo
• Number of Masts: 3

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

• Class: Great Lakes 3-masted schooner
• Use: Bulk grain transport
• Propulsion: Sail only
• Cargo on Final Voyage: 40,000 bushels of corn bound for Buffalo, NY

Description

The Elizabeth Jones was a large wooden Great Lakes sailing vessel, originally rigged as a bark but later converted to a 3-masted schooner in 1875 to improve efficiency in the grain trade. She was built for long-haul bulk cargo transport, with a deep hold and large deck space.

History

• 1867: Launched at Buffalo, NY. Entered service on the Great Lakes grain trade.
• Oct 1868: Collided with the propeller Roanoke at Buffalo, NY.
• July 1871: Collision with schooner Sawyer.
• Nov 11, 1872: Collided with Willis off Point Pelee, Lake Erie; Willis declared a total loss.
• 1875: Re-rigged from bark to 3-masted schooner.
• 1882: Received major repairs at Mills Shipyard.
• June 30, 1884: Enrollment surrendered at Buffalo, listing “Vessel Wrecked.”

Significant Incidents

• Nov 12, 1883: Vessel stranded on Racine Reef. Heavy seas opened several large holes in the hull; she quickly flooded.
• Nov 13, 1883: Tug Knapp and lighter attempted salvage; 7.5 ft of water in the hold; hull in critical condition.
• Nov 15, 1883: Salvage efforts abandoned; cargo of 40,000 bushels of corn declared unsalvageable.
• Nov 26, 1883: Vessel completely destroyed; only scattered wreckage visible along the shore at North Point.

Final Disposition

The Elizabeth Jones stranded on Racine Reef during a severe November gale in 1883:

Newspaper Accounts:

• Milwaukee Sentinel, Nov 13, 1883 – Initial grounding and salvage attempts.
• Milwaukee Sentinel, Nov 15, 1883 – Salvage abandoned.
• Milwaukee Sentinel, Nov 26, 1883 – Wreckage scattered.

Valuation: ~$24,000 (hull and cargo)

Current Condition & Accessibility

• Modern Condition: Possibly located in ~25 ft (7.6 m) of water south of Racine Reef Light.
• Current Assessment: Scattered wreckage; likely fragmented due to surf exposure.
• No confirmed full archaeological survey reported; sidescan sonar and diver reports indicate a degraded structure.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”elizabeth-jones-us-8193″ title=”References & Links”]

The Elizabeth Jones represents a typical large Great Lakes grain schooner of the late 19th century. Her loss on Racine Reef reflects the hazards of shallow limestone shoals along the Wisconsin coast, particularly during November storms. The wreck holds archaeological value in studying the transition from bark to schooner rigging, and its remains serve as a shallow dive site for maritime history enthusiasts.