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.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Vessel Name(s): Elizabeth Jones
• Former Name(s): None recorded
• Registry Number: 8193
• Year Built: 1867
• Place Built: Buffalo, New York (Mason & Bidwell)
• Dimensions:
  • Length: 184 ft (56.1 m)
  • Beam: 23 ft (7.0 m)
  • Depth of Hold: 13 ft (4.0 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 636.47
• Rig: 3-masted schooner (originally bark-rigged)
• Hull Material: Wood
• Home Port: Buffalo, New York
• Owner(s): Abell of Buffalo
• Date of Loss: November 12–26, 1883
• Waterbody: Lake Michigan
• County: Racine, Wisconsin
• Nearest City: Racine
• Coordinates (Approx.): 42°43.349′ N, 87°44.774′ W
• Depth of Wreck: ~25 ft (7.6 m)

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

Construction & 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.

Operational 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.”

Final Disposition

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

• 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.

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)

Located By & Wreck Condition Today

• 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.

Notmars & Advisories

• Historic Hazard: None current; wreckage now largely buried or broken.
• Wreck Location Advisory: Local divers report fragments south of Racine Reef.

Resources & References

• Great Lakes Vessels Database – HCGL
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck Database
• Wisconsin Shipwrecks – WHS
• Milwaukee Sentinel Archive

Diver Information

• Depth: 25 ft (7.6 m)
• Access: Via boat; south of Racine Reef Light
• Hazards: Shallow reef, shifting sand, low visibility
• Permits: Standard Wisconsin shipwreck dive rules apply
• Nearest Port: Racine, WI

Conclusion

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.

elizabeth-jones-us-8193 1883-10-12 09:35:00