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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →