General Winfield Scott (Winfield Scott)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: General Winfield Scott
• Type: Lumber Schooner
• Year Built: 1852
• Builder: William Jones
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage:
• Depth at Wreck Site: 2 m / 7 ft
• Location: Off Hog Island, east of Washington Island, Wisconsin

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The General Winfield Scott was a steel-clad lumber schooner, built in 1852, designed for transporting lumber across the Great Lakes.

Description

The vessel was named in honor of the American general and was primarily engaged in lumber transport between Menominee, Chicago, and other Great Lakes ports.

History

Constructed in 1852 by William Jones at Black River, Ohio, the General Winfield Scott was registered in Chicago and played a significant role in the lumber trade of the Great Lakes region.

Significant Incidents

• On August 7, 1871, while departing Menominee, Michigan, for Chicago, the General Winfield Scott capsized during a violent northeast gale.
• The crew clung to the overturned hull for approximately twelve hours before being rescued by the schooner Ethan Allen.

Final Disposition

The capsized hull drifted and grounded on a shoal off Hog Island, where it was battered and broken apart. Submerged remains were located in 1998, lying upright in about 7 feet of water.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck is preserved in shallow water, making it accessible for survey and documentation. The remains include bilges, keelson assembly, centerboard trunk, and other structural elements.

Resources & Links

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The General Winfield Scott’s capsizing in 1871 provides a compelling historical narrative of mid-19th century maritime operations, illustrating the challenges faced by vessels during the transition to steam and diesel power.