Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Helvta US 95213

Explore the well-preserved wreck of the Helvetia, a historic three-masted schooner-barge scuttled in 1921, located in the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Helvta US 95213
  • Type: Wood-hulled three-masted schooner, later converted into a schooner-barge
  • Year Built: 1873
  • Builder: F. N. Jones
  • Dimensions: 204.5 ft (62.3 m); Beam 35.6 ft; Depth of hold 13.8 ft
  • Registered Tonnage: 793.15 gross, 753.5 net
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 50 m / 165 ft
  • Location: ~10 miles northeast of Sheboygan, WI
  • Official Number: US 95213
  • Original Owners: N.C. Winslow & Sons; Hines Lumber Company
  • Number of Masts: Three

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type

Wood-hulled three-masted schooner, later converted into a schooner-barge.

Description

Description

The Helvetia was built in 1873 and initially served as a coal transport vessel. It was later converted into a tow barge, frequently lashed to various tugs. The vessel was decommissioned and intentionally scuttled in 1921.

History

History

Enrolled at Buffalo on June 9, 1873, the Helvetia initially ran coal between Buffalo and Chicago. It was owned by N.C. Winslow & Sons and later by Hines Lumber Company. The vessel was converted to a bare barge by 1921.

Significant Incidents

Significant Incidents

  • September 10, 1921: Intentionally set ablaze and scuttled to dispose of the hull about 10 miles northeast of Sheboygan, WI.

Final Disposition

Final Disposition

The Helvetia was scuttled after being set ablaze, marking the end of its service. The wreck lies within the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary, where it is monitored and preserved.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Current Condition & Accessibility

The lower hull remains intact, as shown by underwater and NOAA Side-Scan imagery from June 2022. The wreck is accessible for diving within the protected waters of the sanctuary.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”helvta-us-95213″ title=”References & Links”]

Summary

The Helvetia, a 793-GRT three-masted schooner built in 1873, was decommissioned and burned before being scuttled in 1921 northeast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Lying upright in ~165 ft, she remains well-preserved in the protected waters of the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast. Her legacy continues through archaeological surveys, and she offers valuable insight into schooner-barge design and early twentieth-century Great Lakes shipping.

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 & Construction

  • Built: 1873 by F. N. Jones at Tonawanda, New York (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
  • Type: Wood-hulled three-masted schooner, later converted into a schooner-barge
  • Dimensions: 204.5′ length × 35.6′ beam × 13.8′ depth; gross tonnage 793.15, net 753.5 (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)

Ownership & Operation History

  • 1873 (Jun 9): Enrolled at Buffalo; initially ran coal between Buffalo and Chicago (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
  • Owned by N.C. Winslow & Sons, later by Hines Lumber Company based in Chicago/Sandusky (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
  • Worked as tow barge, frequently lashed to various tugs such as Cumberland, V. Swain, H.J. Johnson, and George Presley (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
  • Converted to a bare barge by 1921

Final Incident & Fate

  • Date: September 10, 1921
  • Event: Intentionally set ablaze and scuttled about 10 miles northeast of Sheboygan, WI, to dispose of the hull (nmssanctuaries.blob.core.windows.net)
  • Reason: Disposal of obsolete barge via burning and sinking

Wreck Site & Discovery

  • Location: ~10 miles northeast of Sheboygan, Lake Michigan
  • Depth: ~165 ft (50 m) (Wikipedia, Regulations.gov)
  • Condition: Lower hull remains intact, as shown by underwater and NOAA Side-Scan imagery (June 2022)
  • The wreck lies within the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary, where it is monitored and preserved (Wikipedia)

Significance & Archaeological Insights

  • Último example of large, wood-constructed schooner barges used in early 20th-century lumber and freight towing
  • The intact remains offer exceptional underwater preservation and serve as a resource for structural study of schooner barges
  • Its status within a national marine sanctuary underscores its historical and cultural value

Research & Site Opportunities

AreaPotential Actions
Detailed Sonar MappingUse NOAA slant-range sonar data (2022) for 3D site modeling
Archival CorroborationExamine ship logs, UNSCOAST scuttling permits, and Hines Lumber Co. documents
Digital PhotogrammetryDeploy ROV surveys to document hull integrity and fauna colonization
Public EngagementDevelop interpretive dive guides or remote-viewing apps in collaboration with WHS

Summary

The Helvetia, a 793-GRT three‑masted schooner built in 1873, was decommissioned and burned before being scuttled in 1921 northeast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Lying upright in ~165 ft, she remains well-preserved in the protected waters of the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast. Her legacy continues through archaeological surveys, and she offers valuable insight into schooner-barge design and early twentieth-century Great Lakes shipping.

helvta-us-95213 1921-09-10 16:29:00