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.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Vessel Name: Gertrude
• Built: 1856, Milwaukee area (likely)
• Type: Wooden merchant schooner, approximately 81 ft in length
• Cargo: Firewood

Vessel Type

A small wooden two-masted schooner, used in local trade, predominantly transporting firewood.

Description

Constructed mid‑19th century in traditional Great Lakes fashion: wooden hull, two masts, cargo hold sized appropriately for local bulk goods. Robustly built to carry dense cargo like firewood, but relatively small and lightly outfitted. No engine—pure sail propulsion.

History & Final Voyage

• Final Voyage: On October 23, 1880, while sheltering at anchor during a storm along the Lake Michigan shoreline in Michigan, the Gertrude‘s anchor chain parted. The vessel was driven ashore—wreaked upon the beach at Otter Creek, just north of Two Rivers (Manitowoc County) (2manitowoc.com, AP News).
• Outcome: The schooner was completely wrecked; no mention of casualties, suggesting the crew likely survived.

Final Disposition

Went ashore and broke up in situ. Given the description, there were no salvage attempts, and the vessel was abandoned as a total loss.

Located By & Wreck Condition

• Location: Beached at Otter Creek, approximately 12 miles north of Two Rivers, Wisconsin – within Michigan territorial waters along Lake Michigan shoreline (2manitowoc.com).
• Condition: As a beach wreck, only timbers and framing likely remain, periodically exposed in low water or shifting sands. No diver survey has been documented.

Significance

• Represents small-scale mid‑19th c. merchant schooners that supported local industries like firewood and lumber.
• Anchoring chain failure highlights vulnerability of small vessels in storms, particularly in shallow or exposed anchorages.
• Provides tangible evidence of regional coastal shipping routes prior to mechanical propulsion.

Research Gaps & Next Steps

Area	Recommended Action
Archival Records	Search Manitowoc County newspapers (Oct 1880) for storm accounts, crew interviews, or insurance records.
Official Reports	Investigate U.S. Lifesaving Service records for local station logs and incident reports near Two Rivers.
Archaeological Survey	Conduct periodic beach inspections during low lake levels; document any surviving hull timbers and hardware.
Local Knowledge	Consult Michigan & Wisconsin shoreline dive clubs or historical societies for anecdotal sightings or photographs.

Summary Profile

Field	Details
Name	Gertrude
Built	1856
Type	81 ft wooden merchant schooner
Cargo	Firewood
Loss Date	Oct 23, 1880
Location	Beached at Otter Creek, Lake Michigan
Casualties	Unknown, likely none

Resources & Links

• 2Manitowoc: Gertrude driven ashore during storm; 12 miles north of Two Rivers (2manitowoc.com, Wikipedia, Arkeonews, greatlakesnow.org, 2manitowoc.com, Wikipedia)
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Files: incident listing

Conclusion

While not dramatic, the wreck of the Gertrude typifies the fate of small coastal schooners in late‑19th century Great Lakes trade. The vessel’s stranding due to anchor failure underscores the operational risks of storm anchorage. Her remains—likely scattered timbers on the beach—offer limited archaeological potential, but valuable archival sources (e.g., newspapers, service reports) could reveal crew experiences and enhance documentation. Targeted archival research, shoreline surveys, or local oral history would enrich the site profile and support heritage education. Let me know if you’d like assistance locating archives, drafting queries, or coordinating a field visit.

gertrude-1856 1880-10-23 16:35:00