Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

General Winfield Scott (Winfield Scott)

Explore the remains of the General Winfield Scott, a mid-19th century lumber schooner that capsized in 1871, now a significant archaeological site near Hog Island.

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

[shotline_reference_links slug=”general-winfield-scott-winfield-scott” title=”References & Links”]

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.

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.

Built 1852 · Sank August 7, 1871

Identification & Historical Context

  • Built in 1852 by William Jones at Black River, Ohio; the steel‑clad lumber schooner was named to honor the famed American general (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
  • Registered in Chicago; commonly engaged in lumber transport between Menominee, Chicago, and other Great Lakes ports (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).

Final Voyage & Tragic Capsize (August 7, 1871)

  • Departed Menominee, Michigan, bound for Chicago, laden with a cargo of lumber (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
  • In a violent northeast gale while passing through Death’s Door, she took on water, capsized suddenly, and was reduced to a floating hull (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
  • The crew clung to the overturned wreckage for approximately twelve hours before being rescued by the schooner Ethan Allen, then returned ashore at Menominee (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).

Wreck Disposition & Discovery

  • The capsized hull drifted and grounded on a shoal off Hog Island, east of Washington Island, Wisconsin, where it was battered and broken apart (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
  • Submerged remains, including bilges, keelson assembly, centerboard trunk, and other structural elements, were located in 1998, lying upright in about 7 feet of water on a sand-and-bedrock bottom (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).

Archaeological & Historic Significance

  • A representative example of mid-19th century lumber schooners, her remains illustrate construction methods and mid-sized schooner operations.
  • The survival of the Winfield Scott’s crew after a 12-hour capsizing ordeal highlights extraordinary seamanship amidst early steam/diesel transition days.
  • The wreck forms a valuable shallow-water archaeological site, preserved in less than 2 m of water—readily accessible for survey and documentation.

Sources & Citations

  • Wisconsin Shipwrecks: Winfield Scott details including build, final voyage, capsizing and wreck location (wisconsinshipwrecks.org, Wikipedia).
  • National Park Service and related resources confirm grounding near Hog Island and preservation status (Wikipedia).

Research Gaps & Suggestions

  1. Crew Details: Identify crew list via shipping registers or Menominee newspaper archives from August 1871.
  2. Contemporary Accounts: Search Menominee Advocate or Green Bay Press for firsthand testimonies.
  3. Site Documentation: Commission detailed archaeological mapping and 3D photogrammetry of the wreck remains.
  4. Comparative Analysis: Compare with similar Death’s Door wrecks to contextualize seasonal navigation risks and vessel survivability.

Conclusion

The General Winfield Scott capsized in a fierce gale on August 7, 1871, while carrying lumber from Menominee to Chicago. Despite her sudden overturn, her crew survived a harrowing rescue, and parts of her hull remain visible today in shallow water near Hog Island. The wreck provides a compelling historical and archaeological window into mid-19th century lumber schooner operations—capturing a moment when industrial growth and lake navigation collided head-on.

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