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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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