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.
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.
(Two‑Masted Schooner, Built 1842 – Final Recorded Incident 23 May 1854)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Vessel Name: Equator
- Year Built: 1842, at Black River, Ohio, by Winfield S. Lyons
- Owner(s): John Bull (Bill of Sale: Devin Dorwin → John Bull, 29 Nov 1853; for $1,800)
- Home Port: Likely Buffalo or Lake Michigan ports of trade
- Last Known Incident: May 23, 1854 – Grounding event south of Sheboygan, WI
- Location of Incident: Approximately 7 miles south of Sheboygan, Lake Michigan
- Coordinates: ~44° 26′N, 87° 46′W (approximate spotting as “seven miles south of Sheboygan”) (Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Vessel Type & Construction
- Type: Two‑masted schooner
- Rig: Standard fore-and-aft schooner rig
- Length: 84.88 ft (25.88 m)
- Beam: 20.21 ft (6.16 m)
- Depth of Hold: 8.50 ft (2.59 m)
- Gross Tonnage: Not recorded, but likely ~130–150 GRT based on dimensions
- Hull Material: Wood
- Propulsion: Sail
Operational History
- Early Incidents:
- 1 Oct 1847: Aground at South Manitou Island while carrying merchandise; believed to be recoverable via deck-lumber unloading (Wikipedia, Wikipedia, Maritime Washington)
- 17 Mar 1848: Again grounded on Manitou Island, per Buffalo Courier (location and aftermath unclear) (baillod.com)
- 1853 Incident:
- Oct 1853: Struck Racine south pier at night, stove in hull; sank quickly inside harbor; later refloated (baillod.com, Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Final Recorded Event (Grounding & Damage)
- Date: 23 May 1854
- Voyage: Bound for Chicago, carrying lumber
- Incident: Gale forced Equator ashore 7 miles south of Sheboygan, WI; vessel sustained ~$1,500 in damage, and gear & rigging were auctioned off locally (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- Casualties: None recorded; crew survived
- Disposition: No clear evidence that hull was ever refloated or repaired; possibly abandoned, though no surrender of documents is recorded
Final Known Location & Condition
- Grounding occurred approximately 7 miles south of Sheboygan in surf/beach zone (likely shallower than 15 feet).
- Status: Vessel severely damaged; gear sold on site; hull possibly left and deteriorated in place or later washed away
- Archaeological Potential: Low — no known remains documented; site heavily impacted by storms and sediment movement over 170 years
Archival Sources & Citations
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks Database – summary of Equator final grounding and damage event (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- Baillod’s “Vessels Wrecked at Sheboygan” project – confirmed location and outcome (baillod.com)
- Wisconsin Underwater Heritage (WUAA), newsletter summary of 1854 Sheboygan storm wrecks (wuaa.org)
Historical Interpretation & Research Notes
- Equator represents a 19th-century trading schooner common among Great Lakes coastal freighters, gradually worn out across multiple incidents.
- Survived two earlier groundings before final 1854 event where it appears to have been terminally damaged.
- Lack of later registry record or salvage action suggests abandonment; ship likely deteriorated without formal documentation.
Summary Table
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel | Equator |
| Build Year | 1842 (Black River, OH) |
| Final Incident | Grounded in gale, 23 May 1854, 7 mi S of Sheboygan |
| Damage | ~$1,500; gear auctioned; hull probably lost |
| Lives Lost | 0 |
| Wreck Depth | Surf zone / ~<15 ft |
| Archaeological | None documented; site destroyed or buried |