Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Equator
- Type: Two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1842
- Builder: Winfield S. Lyons
- Dimensions: 84.88 ft (25.88 m); Beam: 20.21 ft (6.16 m); Depth of hold: 8.50 ft (2.59 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Not recorded, but likely ~130-150 GRT based on dimensions
- Location: Approximately 7 miles south of Sheboygan, WI
- Coordinates: ~44° 26′N, 87° 46′W
- Original Owners: John Bull (Bill of Sale: Devin Dorwin → John Bull, 29 Nov 1853; for $1,800)
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Two-masted schooner
Rig: Standard fore-and-aft schooner rig
Hull Material: Wood
Propulsion: Sail
Description
The Equator was a two-masted schooner built in 1842 at Black River, Ohio. It was primarily used for trade and transportation across the Great Lakes, particularly in the Lake Michigan region.
History
The Equator had a series of incidents throughout its operational history, including groundings at South Manitou Island in 1847 and again in 1848. In October 1853, it struck the Racine south pier, sustaining significant damage but was later refloated.
Significant Incidents
- 1 Oct 1847: Aground at South Manitou Island while carrying merchandise; believed to be recoverable via deck-lumber unloading.
- 17 Mar 1848: Again grounded on Manitou Island; location and aftermath unclear.
- Oct 1853: Struck Racine south pier at night, stove in hull; sank quickly inside harbor; later refloated.
Final Disposition
The final recorded incident occurred on May 23, 1854, when the Equator grounded in a gale approximately 7 miles south of Sheboygan, WI. The vessel sustained around $1,500 in damage, and its gear and rigging were auctioned off locally. There is no clear evidence that the hull was ever refloated or repaired, suggesting it may have been abandoned.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The grounding occurred in the surf/beach zone, likely in water shallower than 15 feet. The vessel is reported to be severely damaged, with its gear sold on site. The hull may have deteriorated in place or been washed away, and the archaeological potential is considered low due to heavy impacts from storms and sediment movement over the years.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”equator-1842″ title=”References & Links”]
The Equator represents a typical 19th-century trading schooner that faced multiple incidents throughout its service. Its final grounding appears to have been terminal, with no subsequent records of salvage or repair.
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