Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Grace Patterson
- Type: Wooden-hulled steam screw tug/freighter later converted to steambarge
- Year Built: 1880
- Builder: J. Callister, Grand Haven, MI
- Dimensions: Approx. 111 GT
- Registered Tonnage: Approx. 111 GT
- Location: Near Two Rivers Point, WI (offshore beach)
- Official Number: 85634
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Steam Screw Tug & Lumber Steambarge
Description
The Grace Patterson was a wooden-hulled steam screw tug that was later converted into a steambarge. Built in 1880, it had a registered tonnage of approximately 111 gross tons.
History
The vessel was laden with lumber and lath, bound from Manistee to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, when it encountered severe weather. On March 15, 1882, it sprang a leak during a storm, sank into shallow water, and drifted ashore broadside to the beach north of Two Rivers, where it subsequently caught fire and was destroyed.
Significant Incidents
- The U.S. Life-Saving Station No. 17 crew rescued all five men from the rigging.
- The steam tug Leviathan, alongside other tugs, attempted to pull her off but failed before the blaze consumed the vessel.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Grace Patterson was evaluated and deemed ineligible for the National Register due to the limited hull structure remaining above sediment. The remains were significantly burned by fire and destroyed post-stranding.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The site holds limited physical remains and low archaeological potential, as confirmed by the Wisconsin Historical Society assessment.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”grace-patterson-us-85634″ title=”References & Links”]
The Grace Patterson wreck exemplifies maritime peril on Lake Michigan: leaking into a gale, abandoned by its crew, and ultimately destroyed by fire upon stranding north of Two Rivers. Rescuers saved all aboard, but the vessel itself was a total loss.
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.
Steam Screw Tug & Lumber Steambarge
Identification & Specifications
- Name: Grace Patterson
- Official No.: 85634
- Type: Wooden-hulled steam screw tug/freighter later converted to steambarge
- Built: 1880 by J. Callister, Grand Haven, MI
- Tonnage: Approx. 111 GT
Final Voyage & Wreck – March 15, 1882
- Route & Cargo: Laden with lumber and lath, bound from Manistee to Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Incident Location: 15 miles offshore near Two Rivers Point, Lake Michigan
- Damage Event: Sprang a leak during a severe storm; sank into shallow water (~3 ft above deck) and drifted ashore broadside to the beach north of Two Rivers; subsequently caught fire and was destroyed.
- The U.S. Life-Saving Station No. 17 crew rescued all five men from the rigging (wisconsinshipwrecks.org, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- The steam tug Leviathan, alongside other tugs, attempted to pull her off but failed before the blaze consumed the vessel (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Wreck Site & Condition
- Location: Near Two Rivers Point, WI (offshore beach)
- Condition: Remains burned by fire and destroyed post-stranding; significant structural remnants unlikely.
- Survey Status: Site was evaluated and deemed ineligible for National Register—little hull structure remains above sediment (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
Historical & Maritime Context
- Demonstrates risks of early steel-hulled and steam-powered conversion vessels operating in heavy weather on Lake Michigan.
- Lifesaving efforts reflect integrated maritime rescue operations of the late 19th century.
Research Opportunities
- Archival Newspapers: Examine Milwaukee and Two Rivers local newspapers (March–April 1882) for incident reports and crew narratives.
- Life-Saving Station Logs: Confirm rescue operation and possible follow-up salvage details in Station No. 17 records.
- Sonar & Shore Surveys: While unlikely to yield visible wreckage, nearshore sediment surveys may detect small debris still present.
Summary
The Grace Patterson wreck on March 15, 1882, exemplifies maritime peril on Lake Michigan: leaking into a gale, abandoned by its crew, and ultimately destroyed by fire upon stranding north of Two Rivers. Rescuers saved all aboard, but the vessel itself was a total loss. The site holds limited physical remains and low archaeological potential, as confirmed by the Wisconsin Historical Society assessment (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
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