Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Ingeborg M. Forrest
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1871
- Builder: Anderson & Poulson
- Dimensions: Approx. 122 × 24 × 10 ft; 174 gross / 165 net tons
- Registered Tonnage: 174 gross / 165 net tons
- Location: Near the harbor entrance at Pentwater, Michigan
- Official Number: 100107
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Ingeborg M. Forrest was a wooden two-masted schooner, a common vessel type used for cargo transport on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century.
Description
Constructed in 1871 by Anderson & Poulson at Fort Howard, Wisconsin, the Ingeborg M. Forrest measured approximately 122 feet in length, 24 feet in beam, and had a depth of hold of 10 feet. She had a registered tonnage of 174 gross tons and 165 net tons.
History
The Ingeborg M. Forrest had a brief operational history, primarily serving in the Great Lakes region. Her loss on April 16, 1897, near Pentwater, Michigan, highlights the challenges faced by vessels during spring storms.
Significant Incidents
- April 16, 1897: The vessel broke loose from the tug E.G. Maxwell during a spring gale while attempting to enter Pentwater harbor, leading to her stranding.
- Rescue personnel from the Lifesaving Service successfully rescued the crew, with no casualties reported.
Final Disposition
The Ingeborg M. Forrest was driven ashore and wrecked. A photograph of the stranded vessel exists in the Wisconsin Maritime Museum archives, confirming her final position.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is located at the harbor entrance of Pentwater, Michigan. The condition of the wreck is confirmed as beached and wrecked, with photographic evidence available.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”ingeborg-m-forrest-us-100107″ title=”References & Links”]
The story of the Ingeborg M. Forrest serves as a reminder of the perils faced by mariners in the Great Lakes, particularly during adverse weather conditions. The vessel’s wreck is a significant historical site, offering insights into maritime operations of the time.
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.
(built 1871; lost April 16, 1897)
Identification & Vessel Specifications
- Name: Ingeborg M. Forrest (also known as I. M. Forrest)
- Official Number: 100107
- Build Year & Yard: 1871, constructed by Anderson & Poulson at Fort Howard, Wisconsin
- Vessel Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Dimensions / Tonnage: Approx. 122 × 24 × 10 ft; 174 gross / 165 net tons (prezi.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia)
Final Voyage & Loss
- Loss Date: April 16, 1897
- Location: Near the harbor entrance at Pentwater, Michigan, Lake Michigan (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Circumstances: While under tow by the tug E.G. Maxwell, she broke loose during a spring gale as the tug attempted entry into Pentwater harbor. The schooner drifted ashore and was stranded.
- Rescue Action: Lifesaving Service personnel promptly rescued her crew; no casualties reported (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Wreck Condition & Site
- The vessel was driven ashore and wrecked.
- A photograph of Ingeborg M. Forrest stranded on the beach at Pentwater exists in the Wisconsin Maritime Museum archives, confirming her final position. (wisconsinmaritime.pastperfectonline.com)
Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Ingeborg M. Forrest |
| Official Number | 100107 |
| Built | 1871, Anderson & Poulson, Fort Howard, WI |
| Type | Wooden schooner |
| Dimensions | ~122 × 24 × 10 ft; 174 gt / 165 nt |
| Loss Date | April 16, 1897 |
| Loss Location | Pentwater harbor entrance, MI (Lake Michigan) |
| Cause | Broke towline in gale; beached |
| Tow Vessel | Tug E.G. Maxwell |
| Crew & Casualties | Crew rescued, no fatalities |
| Final Status | Beached and wrecked |
| Photograph Evidence | Archived image of stranded schooner |
Research Notes & Sources
- Loss entry and vessel data come from the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files WordPress archive, which captures incident summaries and technical data. (prezi.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Visual documentation of the wreck (stranded hull on shore) is preserved in the Wisconsin Maritime Museum collection, confirming the location and condition of the wreck. (wisconsinmaritime.pastperfectonline.com, prezi.com)
Research & Analysis Summary
The Ingeborg M. Forrest had a brief but impactful operational history:
- Crew survival and formal rescue minimized the human toll.
- The site at Pentwater harbor, combined with photographic documentation, makes this one of few late-19th-century wrecks with known beaching evidence.
- Her loss exemplifies the risks of spring storms in harbor approaches and the difficulties in tow operations under gale conditions.
Suggested Further Investigation
- Contact the Wisconsin Maritime Museum for high-resolution images or logs related to the stranded wreck photo.
- Review local Pentwater newspapers (e.g., Pentwater Beacon) from April 1897 for detailed reporting on the incident and crew rescue.
- Consult official Lifesaving Service records or US Lighthouse Service logs for documentation of the rescue.
- Explore registry or maritime insurance files from 1897 to confirm cargo, ownership, and claims history.