Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Jennibel
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1863
- Builder: A. C. Stokes, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: 94 ft × 24 ft × 8 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 132 gross tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 30 m / 100 ft
- Location: Off Chambers Island, Green Bay
- Official Number: 12975
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Two-masted wooden schooner, built in 1863, designed for cargo transport.
Description
The Jennibel was a wooden schooner measuring approximately 94 feet in length, 24 feet in beam, and 8 feet in depth. It was registered at 132 gross tons and was primarily used for transporting cargo.
History
Constructed by A. C. Stokes in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, the Jennibel served in the Great Lakes shipping industry. It was involved in transporting various goods, including cordwood and hemlock bark, intended for the tanning industry.
Significant Incidents
- Departure: The vessel departed from Egg Harbor, Door County Peninsula, with cargo bound for Plum Island.
- Capsize: A sudden southern squall capsized the vessel near Plum Island, leading to a rescue by the tug Gregory.
- Towing Attempt: The Gregory attempted to tow the Jennibel to safety, but it sank in approximately 100 ft of water south of Chambers Island.
Final Disposition
The Jennibel sank intact initially, but a 1960s salvage attempt caused the wreck to split into two sections. Both parts fell back to the lakebed, and the site remains well-preserved, with visible cargo and internal structure.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is located at a depth of approximately 100 ft (30 m) off Chambers Island. The hull initially sank intact, but the 1960s raising attempt partially separated the bow and stern. The site is well-preserved, allowing divers to observe the deck load, internal structure, and cargo.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”jennibel-us-12975″ title=”References & Links”]
The Jennibel represents a significant maritime loss in the Great Lakes, showcasing the hazards of sudden weather changes. Its largely intact wreck provides valuable insights into late 19th-century commercial vessel design and operations.
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
- Built: 1863 by A. C. Stokes, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
- Official Number: 12975
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner, approximately 94 ft × 24 ft × 8 ft, 132 gross tons
- Final Location: Resting on the bottom of Green Bay, off Chambers Island, in 100 ft (30 m) of water
- Date of Sinking: 7 September 1891
- Cargo at Loss: Cordwood (hold) and hemlock bark (deck)—intended for tanning industry (wisconsinshipwrecks.org, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, wisconsinshipwrecks.org, Door County Pulse)
Final Voyage & Loss
- Departure: Weighed anchor from Egg Harbor, Door County Peninsula, with cargo bound north toward Plum Island in Death’s Door Passage. (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Capsize: A sudden southern squall capsized the vessel near Plum Island. Captain Burnham aboard the tug Gregory saw the mishap and rescued the entire crew. (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Towing Attempt: The Gregory towed the Jennibel toward Sturgeon Bay to dewater and save the hull. However, south of Chambers Island, the schooner sank to the bottom in approximately 100 ft of water. The tow line was buoyed before the tug retreated. Attempts to raise her failed when the tow line parted during efforts to refloat her. (Door County Pulse)
Wreck Site & Condition
- Depth: ~100 ft (30 m), off Chambers Island in Green Bay (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Current Condition:
- The hull initially sank intact.
- A 1960s raising attempt partially pulled the bow and stern apart, splitting the wreck in two; both sections fell back to the lakebed.
- The site remains well-preserved for divers—deck load, internal structure, and cargo are still visible. (Door County Pulse)
Archaeological Significance
- The intact nature of her wreck allows direct observation of cargo stowage, deck and hold architecture, and commercial vessel design from the late 19th century.
- The partial breakup during salvage renders unique research opportunities in tension failure and wreck-raising impacts on wooden hulls.
Research & Dive Recommendations
- NARA Vessel Records: Confirm registry, ownership, and crew through Enrollment records.
- Primary News Accounts: Investigate newspapers like Door County Advocate or Sturgeon Bay Herald (September 1891) for cargo and crew statements.
- Salvage Documentation: Look for logs or correspondence related to the 1960s recovery attempt through Wisconsin Historical Society archives.
- Site Monitoring: Use side-scan sonar, magnetometer, or ROV to map structural remains and evaluate preservation – NOAA- or WHS-driven archaeological survey could assess current condition and prepare site reports.
Conclusion
The Jennibel exemplifies a working Door County cargo schooner lost to sudden weather and sinking during towing—a common hazard in Death’s Door Passage. Its largely intact wreck with visible cargo offers rich archival and archaeological value. Research and non-invasive documentation would bolster our understanding of Great Lakes wooden wreck morphology, maritime salvage procedures, and late-19th-century commercial fleet operations.
If desired, I can help source archival records, dive logs, or prepare a remote-sensing survey plan aligned with WHS or NOAA initiatives.