Farrand H. Williams – Lake Michigan Schooner Shipwreck (1900)

Explore the wreck of the Farrand H. Williams, a scow-schooner lost in a storm in 1900, with remains scattered in the surf zone of Horseshoe Bay.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Farrand H. Williams
  • Type: Wooden scow-schooner
  • Year Built: 1882
  • Builder: F.H. Williams, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
  • Dimensions: 89 ft × 23 ft × 7 ft
  • Registered Tonnage: 95 GT / 90 NT
  • Location: Horseshoe Bay, northwest Door Peninsula, Lake Michigan
  • Official Number: 120474

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Farrand H. Williams was a wooden scow-schooner designed primarily for transporting cordwood and similar bulk loads on Lake Michigan.

Description

Built in 1882, the Farrand H. Williams measured 89 feet in length, 23 feet in beam, and had a depth of 7 feet. It was registered at 95 gross tons and 90 net tons.

History

The Farrand H. Williams was utilized for transporting cordwood across Lake Michigan. On September 11, 1900, while on a route across Horseshoe Bay, the vessel encountered a sudden squall, which drove it ashore. The ship grounded on boulder-strewn, shallow waters and was irreparably damaged.

Significant Incidents

  • September 11, 1900: Driven ashore during a sudden squall; grounded on boulder-strewn, shallow waters and pounded irreparably.
  • Initial salvage attempts failed, leading to the vessel being declared a total loss.

Final Disposition

After the wreck, the Farrand H. Williams was abandoned. Its remains are believed to lie in the surf zone, with broken planks, ribs, and cargo wood scattered and buried beneath shifting sands.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck site is expected to contain remains in the surf zone, with no successful salvage operations recorded. No hazard markers have been documented for the site.

Resources & Links

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The Farrand H. Williams serves as a significant maritime archaeological site, with potential for further research and documentation of local heritage.

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Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.

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