John Eggers – Lake Michigan Schooner Shipwreck (1906)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: John Eggers
• Type: Wooden scow-schooner (gravel excavation vessel)
• Year Built: 1887
• Builder: John Eggers Sr.
• Dimensions: 58.7 × 14.0 × 3.4 ft
• Registered Tonnage: ~25 GRT
• Location: Off Wind Point near Racine, Wisconsin
• Original Owners: John Eggers Sr.
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

(two-masted gravel scow)

Description

The John Eggers was designed as a gravel scow, primarily used for extracting and transporting gravel for construction and maritime infrastructure along the coast. Its flat-bottomed, shallow hull allowed for operations in harbors and nearshore zones, but also made it vulnerable to sudden storm surges.

History

Built in 1887 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, by John Eggers Sr., the John Eggers was likely operated under direct ownership by her builder. The vessel played a significant role in gravel excavation operations typical of the era, reflecting the technical and logistical vulnerabilities faced by small workboats during lake storms.

Significant Incidents

• On May 26, 1906, during loading operations at dawn, a sudden late-spring storm erupted, driving the John Eggers ashore, where it remained aground one mile north of Wind Point Lighthouse.
• The crew escaped safely; lifesaving services responded but were unable to assist due to gale-force conditions.
• The vessel was declared a total loss and allowed to break up over the winter. Divers later located the remains, though identification wasn’t confirmed.

Final Disposition

The John Eggers sank after being driven ashore by a storm at Wind Point. Despite the successful evacuation of the crew, the vessel was destroyed and remains unrecovered, illustrating the perils faced by small workboats during Great Lakes squalls.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The current condition of the wreck is unknown, as it was allowed to break up over the winter following its loss. Divers have located the remains, but identification has not been confirmed.

Resources & Links

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The story of the John Eggers serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by maritime operations in the Great Lakes, particularly for smaller vessels vulnerable to sudden weather changes.