Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Fish Hawk
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1858
- Builder: T. Cunningham
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: ~30 tons
- Location: Just north of Sheboygan, along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin coast
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
The Fish Hawk was a wooden two-masted schooner, typical of mid-19th-century vessels used for transporting goods across the Great Lakes.
Description
Description
Built in 1858 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, the Fish Hawk was a modest-sized vessel with a registered tonnage of approximately 30 tons. It was primarily used for general freight, carrying everyday goods such as flour and leather hides.
History
History
The Fish Hawk served in the Lake Michigan trade, transporting goods between Michigan and Wisconsin. Its construction reflects the design and functionality of schooners of that era, which were essential for commerce on the Great Lakes.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- Stranded on November 4, 1865, during a gale or sudden squall.
- The hull broke apart, with some cargo salvaged by local salvors.
- No casualties were recorded; it is presumed that all crew members survived.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The Fish Hawk was lost to the elements, with its wooden hull disintegrating in the storm. Parts of its cargo were salvaged, providing some historical context to the wreck.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, and further research is needed to determine the extent of the remains and accessibility for divers.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”fish-hawk-1858″ title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion
The Fish Hawk grounded near Sheboygan on November 4, 1865, while carrying hides and flour. Her wooden hull broke apart in a late-season gale, but the crew survived and partial cargo was salvaged. This event exemplifies the everyday maritime hazards faced by small freighters on Lake Michigan during that era.
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.
Identification & Construction
- Name: Fish Hawk
- Built: 1858, Sheboygan, Wisconsin by T. Cunningham
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Registered Size: ~30 tons; valued at $900; B1 class for general freight
- Hull Material: Wood
Final Voyage & Wreck
- Date of Loss: November 4, 1865
- Location: Just north of Sheboygan, along Lake Michigan’s Wisconsin coast
- Cargo: Flour and leather hides (stored in the hold) — consistent with “leather” notes
- Incident: Stranded either in a gale or sudden squall; the hull broke up (“went to pieces”), with some cargo later salvaged by local salvors
- Casualties: None recorded; presumed all crew survived
Archival Sources
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks: Offers ship details, final incident, cargo specifics, and wreck location
- Historic Lake Michigan research PDF: Confirms strand-and-breakup event with cargo details (“leather and flour”)
- Wisconsin Underwater Heritage newsletter: Notes gale-stranding and subsequent disintegration
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“F” series): Confirms loss date, area, and cargo type
Context & Significance
The Fish Hawk was a modest-sized schooner typical of mid-19th-century Lake Michigan commerce, ferrying everyday goods like flour and hides between Michigan and Wisconsin. Her wreck offers insight into the vulnerabilities of such craft to late-season storms. Though the hull was lost, parts of her cargo were retrieved, providing tangible traces of the incident.
Gaps & Follow-Up Options
| Research Focus | Suggested Strategy |
|---|---|
| Crew survival details | Search Sheboygan Press (Nov 1865) for crew rescue or salvage accounts |
| Storm specifics | Investigate U.S. Weather Bureau logs for early November 1865 gale events |
| Wreck remains or artifacts | Perform side-scan sonar near documented wreck site north of Sheboygan |
| Cargo salvage documentation | Examine local harbor or newspaper records for hide/flour salvage operations |
Conclusion
The Fish Hawk grounded near Sheboygan on November 4, 1865, while carrying hides and flour. Her wooden hull broke apart in a late-season gale, but the crew survived and partial cargo was salvaged. This event exemplifies the everyday maritime hazards faced by small freighters on Lake Michigan during that era.
fish-hawk-1858 1865-11-04 10:04:00