Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Henry Norton
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1834
- Builder: Lind in Richmond, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Not listed
- Location: Offshore of Pilot Island, Lake Michigan
- Coordinates: Not available
- Official Number: Not listed
- Original Owners: Not specified
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Henry Norton was a wooden two-masted schooner primarily used for transporting lumber, with occasional cargoes of grain. This vessel type was common in the Great Lakes region during the 19th century.
Description
Built in 1834 by Lind in Richmond, Ohio, the Henry Norton was designed for durability and utility in the lumber trade. It was rated C2 for insurance purposes, with an insured value of US $1,200 in 1863.
History
The Henry Norton primarily operated along the Milwaukee–Green Bay–Chicago trade route, mainly hauling lumber, turf, and grain. Throughout its service, the vessel experienced several groundings, including incidents in 1841, 1842, and 1843, which led to damage and a subsequent rebuilding in 1845.
Significant Incidents
- 1841: Driven ashore in a Milwaukee gale.
- 1842: Another stranding in Milwaukee.
- 1843: Sustained damage from a squall on Lake Michigan.
- 1845: Underwent rebuilding.
Final Disposition
The Henry Norton sank in October 1863 after being driven ashore on Pilot Island’s reef during a storm. The wreck is likely broken and dispersed on or near the submerged reef, with sediment and wave action having buried or scattered remnants. It is probably part of the Pilot Island NW archaeological site, which features multiple vessel losses, although the identification of Henry Norton among the known wrecks remains unconfirmed.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Henry Norton is likely in a deteriorated state, with its remains possibly buried or scattered due to natural forces. Further surveys and archaeological investigations are needed to assess its condition and confirm its identity.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”henry-norton-1834″ title=”References & Links”]
The Henry Norton represents an important piece of maritime history in the Great Lakes region, illustrating the early wooden schooner design and its role in the lumber trade. If confirmed at the Pilot Island NW site, the wreck could provide valuable insights into 19th-century shipbuilding techniques and the challenges faced by vessels of that era.
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
- Name: Henry Norton
- Built: 1834 by Lind in Richmond, Ohio
- Official Number: Not listed; insured value in 1863 was US $1,200, rated C2 for insurance purposes (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner—primarily used for lumber, occasionally grain.
Service & Operational History
- Chief Trade Route: Milwaukee–Green Bay–Chicago, mainly hauling lumber, turf, and grain (Wisconsin Shipwrecks).
- Previous Groundings:
- 1841: Driven ashore in Milwaukee gale
- 1842: Another stranding in Milwaukee
- 1843: Damage from a squall on Lake Michigan
- 1845: Vessel underwent rebuilding (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Final Voyage & Loss
- Date: October 1863, during a storm
- Location: Pilot Island, at the entrance to Green Bay, Lake Michigan (linkstothepast.com)
- Incident Summary: In heavy weather, Henry Norton was driven ashore on Pilot Island’s reef. She struck bottom, sustained severe hull damage, and ultimately sank, becoming a total loss.
- Casualties: No records of crew loss or rescue—presumed all survived.
Final Disposition & Aftermath
- Wreck Location: Offshore of Pilot Island, Lake Michigan
- Wreck Condition: Likely broken and dispersed on or near submerged reef; sediment and wave action have buried or scattered remnants.
- Survey Status: The wreck is probably part of the Pilot Island NW archaeological site, which features multiple vessel losses on the reef (Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Wikipedia, Wisconsin Shipwrecks). However, Henry Norton is not definitively identified among the known wrecks there.
- Insured Value: US $1,200 at time of loss (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Research Gaps & Next Steps
| Topic | Recommended Actions |
|---|---|
| Precise Loss Date | Access 1863 newspapers (Milwaukee Sentinel, Green Bay Advocate) for exact grounding date and crew outcomes. |
| Official Reports | Review Congressional Record (Marine Disasters, 1863) and U.S. Lifesaving Service archives near Pilot Island. |
| Archaeological Identification | Compare known hull scatter and artifacts in the Pilot Island NW site to find Henry Norton signatures. |
| Site Survey & Documentation | Conduct combined side-scan and magnetometer survey of the reef zone; identify anomalies consistent with mid‑19th‑century wooden schooners. |
| Historical & Crew Records | Research crew manifests, cargo logs, and ownership changes held in Milwaukee or Chicago port registries prior to 1863. |
Summary Profile
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Henry Norton |
| Built | 1834 (Lind, Richmond, OH) |
| Type | Two-masted wooden schooner |
| Trade | Lumber & grain (Milwaukee–Green Bay–Chicago) |
| Loss | October 1863—grounded and sank on Pilot Island reef |
| Insured Value | $1,200 in 1863 |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Site Status | Likely part of Pilot Island NW wreck zone; unconfirmed identification |
Significance
- Early Great Lakes schoonering: Built just five years after the opening of the Soo Locks (1829), Henry Norton typifies early wooden schooners integral to core Midwest trade.
- Active service life: Nearly 30 years of operation speaks to her durability and utility. 1863 loss marks end of an era for early schooners in the lumber trade.
- Heritage potential: If confirmed in the Pilot Island NW site, her remains would offer valuable insights into 1830s-era construction techniques and reef-stranding damage patterns.