Fair Play (1855)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Fair Play
• Type: Schooner
• Year Built: 1855
• Builder: Aurelius McMillian
• Dimensions: Length 47.80 ft (14.57 m); Beam 13.80 ft (4.21 m); Depth of hold 4.50 ft (1.37 m)
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: North of Kirkland’s Pier, off Sheboygan
• Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Class: Lake Michigan schooner

Rig: Two-masted schooner

Hull Material: Wood

Propulsion: Sail only

Intended Use: Coastal trade / small cargo transport

Description

The Fair Play was a small two-masted schooner built for nearshore cargo runs on Lake Michigan. It was designed to transport light goods such as cordwood, grain, and manufactured items between ports in Wisconsin and Michigan.

History

Constructed in 1855 by Aurelius McMillian in St. Joseph, Michigan, the Fair Play served primarily in the coastal trade. Its home port is not definitively recorded, but it likely operated along the Sheboygan trade route.

Significant Incidents

• 3 November 1855: The Fair Play capsized during a storm north of Kirkland’s Pier, with witnesses reporting it floating on its side and no crew visible.
• Casualties: Unknown; while sources indicate no confirmed lives lost, the disappearance of the crew raises the possibility of unrecorded drownings.

Final Disposition

No confirmed recovery or survey of the wreck has been conducted. There is no primary hydrographic record in NOAA or the Wisconsin Shipwreck database.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The current condition of the wreck remains unknown due to the lack of confirmed surveys or recovery efforts.

Resources & Links

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The Fair Play serves as a representative example of early pocket schooners on Lake Michigan, highlighting the challenges faced by small vessels in adverse weather conditions and the complexities of historical vessel documentation.