Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J.E. Gilmore
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: Likely built in Oswego, New York
- Dimensions: Length ~130-160 ft (40-49 m); Beam ~26-30 ft (8-9 m); Depth of hold not specified
- Registered Tonnage: Not specified
- Depth at Wreck Site: 10.7 m / 35 ft
- Location: Off Pilot Island, Death’s Door Passage, Wisconsin
- Coordinates: 45.308392, -86.933103
- Official Number: Not documented
- Original Owners: Possibly Oswego or Chicago
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The J.E. Gilmore was a three-masted wooden schooner, a dominant vessel type on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, used primarily for bulk cargo such as lumber, coal, grain, and iron ore. Schooners were wind-powered and designed for lake navigation with deep hulls and extensive cargo holds.
Description
Constructed in 1867, the J.E. Gilmore likely measured between 130 to 160 feet in length (~40-49 m), with a typical beam of 26-30 feet (~8-9 m) for that era. As a schooner, she was built for stability and moderate speed under sail, optimized for cargo handling and passage through narrow, shallow channels like those in the Straits of Mackinac and Death’s Door.
History
The J.E. Gilmore operated throughout the Upper Great Lakes, primarily carrying bulk cargo. By 1892, she was nearing the end of her commercial viability, likely operating under charter or resale conditions. On October 17, 1892, the vessel left Chicago bound for Elk Rapids, Michigan, without cargo.
During a severe nighttime storm near Door County’s notorious Death’s Door passage, the J.E. Gilmore attempted to take shelter but ran aground on Pilot Island’s northwest reef. With only a split foresail, staysail, and jib raised, she was unmanageable in the gale-force winds. Her crew was fortunate to reach the nearby Pilot Island lighthouse, joining the survivors of another wreck, the A.P. Nichols, which grounded days later.
Significant Incidents
- Grounded during a storm on October 17, 1892.
- Crew safely reached Pilot Island lighthouse.
Final Disposition
The schooner broke up where she grounded. Her hull remains lie submerged in approximately 35 feet (10.7 meters) of water off the northwest tip of Pilot Island. Over the years, wreckage has been scattered, but key features remain intact enough to allow for meaningful diving and archaeological assessment.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck has been well known to local mariners and divers for decades. The site is officially documented as the “Pilot Island Northwest Site,” registered on the National Register of Historic Places.
Divers should observe all Wisconsin DNR guidelines as this site is part of a protected underwater heritage preserve. It is advisable to leave only bubbles and take only memories, ensuring the site remains undisturbed for future generations.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-e-gilmore-1867″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The J.E. Gilmore is a classic example of late 19th-century schooner loss along the hazardous Death’s Door corridor. Her wreck today stands as a valuable underwater heritage site and offers insight into the navigation perils and ship design of the sail-driven cargo era. The proximity of the A.P. Nichols wreck adds significant archaeological context, making this an essential destination for dive historians and maritime researchers.
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: J.E. Gilmore
- Former Names: None
- Official Number: Not documented
- Date Built: 1867
- Builder: Likely built in Oswego, New York
- Dimensions: Not precisely recorded (typical 3-masted schooner length ~130–160 ft / ~40–49 m)
- Tonnage: Not specified
- Date Lost: October 17, 1892 (some reports incorrectly cite October 19 or November 2)
- Place of Loss: Off Pilot Island, Death’s Door Passage, Wisconsin
- Lake: Lake Michigan
- Type of Loss: Grounded during storm
- Cargo: None (in ballast)
- Loss of Life: None
- Home Port: Possibly Oswego or Chicago
Vessel Type
The J.E. Gilmore was a three-masted wooden schooner, a dominant vessel type on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, used primarily for bulk cargo such as lumber, coal, grain, and iron ore. Schooners were wind-powered and designed for lake navigation with deep hulls and extensive cargo holds.
Description
Constructed in 1867, the J.E. Gilmore likely measured between 130 to 160 feet in length (~40–49 m), with a typical beam of 26–30 feet (~8–9 m) for that era. As a schooner, she was built for stability and moderate speed under sail, optimized for cargo handling and passage through narrow, shallow channels like those in the Straits of Mackinac and Death’s Door.
History
The J.E. Gilmore operated throughout the Upper Great Lakes, primarily carrying bulk cargo. By 1892, she was nearing the end of her commercial viability, likely operating under charter or resale conditions. On October 17, 1892, the vessel left Chicago bound for Elk Rapids, Michigan, without cargo.
During a severe nighttime storm near Door County’s notorious Death’s Door passage, the J.E. Gilmore attempted to take shelter but ran aground on Pilot Island’s northwest reef. With only a split foresail, staysail, and jib raised, she was unmanageable in the gale-force winds. Her crew was fortunate to reach the nearby Pilot Island lighthouse, joining the survivors of another wreck, the A.P. Nichols, which grounded days later.
Final Disposition
The schooner broke up where she grounded. Her hull remains lie submerged in approximately 35 feet (10.7 meters) of water off the northwest tip of Pilot Island. Over the years, wreckage has been scattered, but key features remain intact enough to allow for meaningful diving and archaeological assessment.
Located By & Date Found
The wreck has been well known to local mariners and divers for decades. The site is officially documented as the “Pilot Island Northwest Site,” registered on the National Register of Historic Places.
Notmars & Advisories
- Obstruction warning issued historically for the Pilot Island reef area.
- Mariners are advised to maintain a safe distance from the reef and consult NOAA charts when navigating Death’s Door.
- Divers should observe all Wisconsin DNR guidelines as this site is part of a protected underwater heritage preserve.
Resources & Links
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks: J.E. Gilmore
- Door County Shipwrecks Map
- National Register of Historic Places – Shipwreck Listings
- J.E. Gilmore Overview – Wisconsin Historical Society
Conclusion
The J.E. Gilmore is a classic example of late 19th-century schooner loss along the hazardous Death’s Door corridor. Her wreck today stands as a valuable underwater heritage site and offers insight into the navigation perils and ship design of the sail-driven cargo era. The proximity of the A.P. Nichols wreck adds significant archaeological context, making this an essential destination for dive historians and maritime researchers.
Suggested Keywords, Categories & Glossary Terms
Keywords: J.E. Gilmore, schooner wreck, Pilot Island, Death’s Door, Wisconsin shipwrecks, Great Lakes schooner, Lake Michigan wrecks, underwater archaeology
Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Wisconsin Maritime History, Sail-powered Cargo Vessels, 19th Century Wrecks
Glossary Terms:
- Schooner: A sailing ship with two or more masts
- Ballast: Heavy material carried to improve stability
- Death’s Door: Dangerous strait between Lake Michigan and Green Bay known for shipwrecks