Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Euphemia
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1852
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: At the mouth of an unspecified harbor on Lake Michigan
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A standard mid-19th-century wooden schooner, rigged with two masts and flat hull suited to hauling bulk cargo (lumber) across the Great Lakes.
Frequently used within coastal trade routes and harbor deliveries.
Description
The Euphemia anchored near the mouth of a harbor while loaded with lumber.
On the night of May 26 into May 27, 1859, a sudden and violent gale struck. The vessel capsized and sank within minutes.
Of the seven crew, six perished; only one crew member survived by luck or circumstance.
History
The Euphemia was built in 1852 and served primarily in the lumber trade across the Great Lakes. Its construction and design were typical of the era, allowing for efficient transport of goods.
Significant Incidents
- Capsized during a gale on Lake Michigan, resulting in the loss of six crew members.
- Only one survivor from the crew.
Final Disposition
The wreck likely lies where she capsized, with structural timbers and scattered lumber cargo in shallow, debris-filled waters. The stern, hull, rigging, and deck cargo may remain fragmented.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No formal survey exists. The wreck is presumed to be in shallow water subject to breaker action, with no records of Notices to Mariners or hazard markers identified for the site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”euphemia-1852″ title=”References & Links”]
The wreck of Euphemia provides a rare snapshot of mid-19th-century harbor-trade schooners and the dangers they faced from sudden seasonal gales. A documented site survey could enhance understanding of small-vessel construction and crew survival mechanisms during that historical period.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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