Shotline Diving

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Ira Chaffee US 12131

Explore the remains of the Ira Chaffee, a 19th-century steamer that transitioned from passenger service to a steambarge before its final scuttling in 1894.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Ira Chaffee
  • Type: Wooden, single-masted propeller steamer
  • Year Built: 1867
  • Builder: Auretias McMillan
  • Dimensions: 127.6 ft (38.9 m); Beam 25.6 ft; Depth of hold 8.15 ft
  • Registered Tonnage: ~369.14 tons
  • Location: Dunlap Reef, Sturgeon Bay, WI
  • Official Number: US 12131
  • Original Owners: Ira Chaffee & associates, William H. Bush, Jason McGregor et al.
  • Number of Masts: 1

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden, single-masted propeller steamer with two decks, originally built for passenger service.

Description

The Ira Chaffee was constructed in 1867 and featured a twin-cylinder screw engine. It measured 127.6 feet in length, 25.6 feet in beam, and had a depth of 8.15 feet.

History

Initially enrolled to run tri-weekly service between Allegan and Chicago, the ownership of the Ira Chaffee changed hands several times throughout its operational life. It was repurposed as a steambarge after being driven ashore during a gale in 1876. The vessel played a role in the construction of Stannard Rock Lighthouse and was involved in various trades, including lumber and coal hauling.

Significant Incidents

  • 1876: Driven ashore near Chocolay during a gale; broke in two.
  • 1891: Burned at dock in Sault Ste. Marie during coal unloading.

Final Disposition

In August 1894, the stripped hull was towed to Dunlap Reef and scuttled. The engine was removed earlier in 1894, and the boiler was repurposed for stone crushing in 1902.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck site at Dunlap Reef contains eroded remains, including chimneys and sections of the hull. The site is known locally as part of the Sturgeon Bay “Boneyard of the Great Lakes.”

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”ira-chaffee-us-12131-2″ title=”References & Links”]

The Ira Chaffee’s history reflects the lifecycle of a late 19th-century vessel, showcasing its transition from a passenger ship to a steambarge and its eventual abandonment. Its remains serve as a significant archaeological and historical resource.

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: 1867 at Allegan, Michigan by shipwright Auretias McMillan
  • Type: Wooden, single-masted propeller steamer with two decks
  • Propulsion: Twin-cylinder screw engine (two cylinders, 24″ × 24″)
  • Dimensions: 127.6 ft length × 25.6 ft beam × 8.15 ft depth
  • Tonnage (Old Measure): ~369.14 tons

Ownership & Operational History

  • 1867 (May 28): Enrolled at Grand Haven to run tri-weekly Allegan–Chicago under Ira Chaffee & associates
  • 1868–1874: Ownership shifted from William H. Bush (Chicago) to Chaffee group (Kalamazoo), and Jason McGregor et al. (Marquette)
  • 1876 (Dec 8): Driven ashore near Chocolay during a gale; broke in two, salvaged spring 1877
  • 1877: Rebuilt in Detroit as a steambarge (vessel repurposed); new measurements: 127.6 × 25.6 × 8.1 ft, 193.62 GT / 116.12 NT
  • 1875: Assisted in Stannard Rock Lighthouse construction (Lake Superior)
  • 1879–1890: Multiple owners and roles—barges, lumber trade, hauling salt and coal
  • 1891 (Jul 11): Burned at dock in Sault Ste. Marie during coal unloading; major structural damage
  • 1892 (Sep 13): U.S. enrollment surrendered

Final Disposition

Wreck Site & Condition

  • Location: Dunlap Reef, Sturgeon Bay
  • Remains: Chimneys and sections of the hull eroded by weather; boiler repurposed for stone crushing at a nearby quarry in 1902 (Door County Pulse)
  • Known locally as part of the Sturgeon Bay “Boneyard of the Great Lakes” (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)

Archaeological & Historical Significance

  • Demonstrates lifecycle of a late‑19th-century propeller steamer: passenger vessel → steambarge → salvageable hull
  • Association with Stannard Rock Lighthouse adds navigational aid relevance
  • Survived multiple significant incidents: grounding, fire, conversion, final scuttling
  • Represents Milwaukee/Sturgeon Bay’s ship recycling practices—logging hulls at reefs

Gaps & Future Research Directions

  • Sonar / ROV surveys: Needed to map remaining hull fragments at Dunlap Reef
  • Archive requests: Insurance records (post-1891 fire), enrollment documentation, dismantling orders—likely held at National Archives and BGSU HCGL
  • Quarry/boiler history: Records detailing repurposing of its boiler (e.g., quarry logs, The Advocate, Nov 22 1902) (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
  • Local archives: Door County Historical Society photos, harbor logs, quarry equipment inventories

Summary

The IRA CHAFFEE, built in 1867, had multiple incarnations—from passenger service to steambarge—before succumbing to fire in 1891. Its hull was stripped and deliberately abandoned at Dunlap Reef in 1894. With its remains now part of the historical “boneyard,” remnants like the boiler and hull fragments offer tangible links to Great Lakes maritime commerce, salvage cycles, and industrial reuse at the turn of the 20th century.

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