Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Fountain City
- Type: Wooden propeller package freighter
- Year Built: 1857
- Builder: Peck & Masters
- Dimensions: 210 ft × 30.4 ft × 12 ft; 969 GRT / 805 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 969 GRT / 805 NRT
- Location: Sturgeon Bay coal dock, Wisconsin
- Official Number: 9680
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A mid-19th-century wooden propeller freighter built to carry general freight between regional ports, often loaded on deck and used for diverse cargoes.
Description
Constructed in 1857, Fountain City served as a cargo and package freighter. On 5 May 1896, while docked at Sturgeon Bay for repairs or preparation, the vessel caught fire at the coal dock. The blaze rapidly destroyed the freighter, igniting her wooden hull. She burned to the waterline and sank at her berth. Later hull remnants remained partially submerged.
History
Declared a total loss. In October 1900, her burned hull was refloated and towed to Chicago, where it reportedly served as a floating drydock—an unusual but documented reuse of an abandoned hull.
Significant Incidents
- 5 May 1896: Caught fire while docked at Sturgeon Bay during repairs, leading to total loss.
Final Disposition
The sinking occurred publicly at Sturgeon Bay. No GPS coordinates exist, and no modern archaeological surveys have been conducted. Her hull remnants were intentionally salvaged.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No navigational hazards or wreck markers remain. The site—now developed—bears no historical markers indicating this event.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”fountain-city” title=”References & Links”]
Fountain City, launched in 1857, was destroyed by dockside fire at Sturgeon Bay on 5 May 1896 during repairs. Her hull sank but was later refloated and repurposed in Chicago. No wreck remains are known today. The incident highlights late-19th-century waterfront fire risks and adaptive reuse practices.
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 & Site Information
Name: Fountain City
Built: 1857 in Cleveland, Ohio (Peck & Masters)
Vessel Type: Wooden propeller “package freighter”
Official Number: 9680
Dimensions: 210 ft × 30.4 ft × 12 ft; 969 GRT / 805 NRT
Final Loss: 5 May 1896
Location: Docked at Sturgeon Bay coal dock, Wisconsin (Lake Michigan)
Cause of Loss: Fire during repair/preparation
Cargo & Status: In repair, no cargo noted; intended for service
Crew & Casualties: None mentioned
Vessel Type
A mid‑19th-century wooden propeller freighter built to carry general freight between regional ports, often loaded on deck and used for diverse cargoes.
History & Final Incident
Constructed in 1857, Fountain City served as a cargo and package freighter. On 5 May 1896, while docked at Sturgeon Bay for repairs or preparation, the vessel caught fire at the coal dock. The blaze rapidly destroyed the freighter, igniting her wooden hull. She burned to the waterline and sank at her berth. Later hull remnants remained partially submerged. (wisconsinmaritime.pastperfectonline.com, facebook.com, stantontownship.com, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Final Disposition
Declared a total loss. In October 1900, her burned hull was refloated and towed to Chicago, where it reportedly served as a floating drydock—an unusual but documented reuse of an abandoned hull. (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Located By & Date Found
The sinking occurred publicly at Sturgeon Bay. No GPS coordinates exist, and no modern archaeological surveys have been conducted. Her hull remnants were intentionally salvaged.
Notmars & Advisories
No navigational hazards or wreck markers remain. The site—now developed—bears no historical markers indicating this event.
Resources & Links
- Historical photo source: Wisconsin Maritime Museum archive showing her burned, partially submerged at Sturgeon Bay (wisconsinmaritime.pastperfectonline.com)
- Portage Canal Life-Saving Service report documenting the event and technical details (stantontownship.com)
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files brief entry with loss details (wisconsinmaritime.pastperfectonline.com)
Conclusion
Fountain City, launched in 1857, was destroyed by dockside fire at Sturgeon Bay on 5 May 1896 during repairs. Her hull sank but was later refloated and repurposed in Chicago. No wreck remains are known today. The incident highlights late-19th-century waterfront fire risks and adaptive reuse practices.
Let me know if you’d like me to dig into fire-department reports, assemble contemporaneous press coverage, or explore marine-insurance files for a more complete account.
fountain-city 1900-05-05 09:57:00