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.
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
- Name: Euphemia
- Type: Two‑masted wooden schooner
- Built: 1852 (yard unspecified)
- Lost: Capsized during a gale on Lake Michigan at the mouth of a harbor—date spanned overnight May 26–27, 1859
- Cargo: Lumber
- People Onboard: 7 crew; 6 fatalities; only 1 survivor (digitalcommons.hope.edu, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia, Wikipedia)
Vessel Type & Construction
- 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.
Final Voyage & Loss
- 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 (digitalcommons.hope.edu).
Wreck Site & Physical Condition
- Location: At the mouth of an unspecified harbor on Lake Michigan—likely in shallow water subject to breaker action.
- Condition: No formal survey exists. 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.
Notices & Hazards
- No records of Notices to Mariners or hazard markers for the site have been identified.
Sources & References
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – E: Entry on Euphemia notes capsizing in a gale while laden with lumber and crew loss (Wikipedia, digitalcommons.hope.edu, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Joint Archives Quarterly (2009): Details on one survivor and six fatalities when the vessel went down May 26–27, 1859 (digitalcommons.hope.edu)
Research Gaps & Recommended Next Steps
| Area | Suggested Research |
|---|---|
| Exact harbor/location | Compare contemporary harbor records (1859 charting); narrow probable sites via harbor mouth coordinates |
| Crew & Survivor | Search 1859 newspapers (e.g., Milwaukee Sentinel, Chicago Tribune) for survivor interview or crew manifest |
| Shipyard/build details | Consult Great Lakes vessel registers and custom house enrollment books (1852) for construction data |
| Wreck discovery & survey | Deploy side-scan sonar in shallow harbor entrance zones to locate the capsized hull and lumber debris |
| Archival logs | Investigate marine insurance ledgers and marine board inquiries for official investigation outcomes |
Archaeological & Historical Significance
The wreck of Euphemia provides a rare snapshot of mid-19th-century harbor-trade schooners and the dangers they faced from sudden seasonal gales. Its shallow coastal location and high mortality event suggest strong currents and vessel instability in downbursts. A documented site survey could add to broader understanding of small-vessel construction, crew survival mechanisms, and shoreline shipping logistics during that historical period.
euphemia-1852 1859-05-26 13:01:00