Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Hippogriff
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1863
- Builder: William Crosthwaite
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 402 tons (old system); 295.24 gross tons (recorded in 1868)
- Location: Approximately 20 miles off Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Official Number: 11143
- Original Owners: J. Kelderhouse, Buffalo, NY; Harrison & McGibbon, Buffalo; Gray et al., Cleveland, OH
- Number of Masts: Two or more
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner, single-deck, cargo vessel designed for grain and general freight transport on the Great Lakes.
Description
The Hippogriff represents the classic mid-19th-century Great Lakes cargo schooner, both in design and in peril. Her career was marked by frequent trans-lake commerce, a significant humanitarian rescue, and a dramatic end due to collision.
History
Enrolled at Buffalo, NY in 1863, the Hippogriff was owned by various parties throughout her service, including Harrison & McGibbon in 1866 and Gray et al. in 1876. She was involved in notable incidents, including a collision with the schooner Jennie & Annie in 1866 and a commendation for rescuing the crew of the Mary Ann Rankin in 1870. The vessel was rebuilt in 1875 to maintain structural integrity and meet increased tonnage demands.
Significant Incidents
- 1866 (Oct): Collided with schooner Jennie & Annie on Lake Erie.
- 1870 (Nov): Captain and crew awarded commendation for rescuing the crew of the schooner Mary Ann Rankin, wrecked off Sugar Loaf Point.
- 1875: Rebuilt to maintain structural integrity and meet increased tonnage demands.
Final Disposition
The Hippogriff sank on September 27, 1877, after colliding with the schooner Emma A. Coyne in Lake Michigan. The final cargo was oats, and fortunately, all crew members were rescued with no casualties reported. The vessel sank approximately 15 minutes after the collision.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Though not rediscovered, the final resting place of the Hippogriff is well documented, making her a viable candidate for underwater archaeological search operations.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”hippogriff-us-11143″ title=”References & Links”]
The legacy of the Hippogriff is marked by her involvement in significant maritime incidents and her tragic end. She remains an important part of Great Lakes maritime history.
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: Hippogriff
- Official Number: 11143
- Year Built: 1863
- Built at: Buffalo, New York
- Builder: William Crosthwaite
- Original Owner: J. Kelderhouse, Buffalo, NY
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner, single-deck, cargo vessel designed for grain and general freight transport on the Great Lakes.
Dimensions
- Tonnage: 402 tons (old system); 295.24 gross tons (recorded in 1868)
- Hull: Wood
- Decks: One
Ownership Chronology
- 1863: Enrolled at Buffalo, NY
- 1866: Owned by Harrison & McGibbon, Buffalo
- 1876: Owned by Gray et al., Cleveland, OH
Service History
- 1866 (Oct): Collided with schooner Jennie & Annie on Lake Erie
- 1870 (Nov): Captain and crew awarded commendation for rescuing the crew of the schooner Mary Ann Rankin, wrecked off Sugar Loaf Point
- 1875: Rebuilt to maintain structural integrity and meet increased tonnage demands
Final Voyage and Disposition
- Date of Loss: September 27, 1877
- Location: Lake Michigan, approximately 20 miles off Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Cause: Collision with schooner Emma A. Coyne
- Final Cargo: Oats
- Casualties: None; all crew rescued
- Time to Sink: Approximately 15 minutes post-collision
Legacy and Recognition
- The Hippogriff is noted not only for her final loss due to collision but also for her heroic involvement in the 1870 rescue of the Mary Ann Rankin crew, for which her captain and sailors received commendation
Conclusion
The Hippogriff represents the classic mid-19th-century Great Lakes cargo schooner, both in design and in peril. Her career was marked by frequent trans-lake commerce, a significant humanitarian rescue, and a dramatic end due to collision. Though not rediscovered, her final resting place is well documented, making her a viable candidate for underwater archaeological search operations.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
- Region: Lake Michigan, Lake Erie
- Vessel Type: Schooner
- Material: Wood
- Cause of Loss: Collision
- Rescue: Mary Ann Rankin (1870)
- Final Cargo: Oats
- Dive Difficulty: High (unlocated, offshore)
- Glossary:
- Schooner: Two- or more-masted sailing vessel, fore-and-aft rigged
- Rebuilt: Hull and/or rigging structurally updated to extend service life
- Tonnage (old style): Pre-1864 measurement standard