Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Kate Kelly
• Type: Wooden-hulled, two-masted schooner (canaller)
• Year Built: 1867
• Builder: John Martel, Tonawanda, New York
• Dimensions: Length 126.30 ft (38.5 m); Beam 25.80 ft (7.87 m); Depth of hold 10.40 ft (3.17 m)
• Registered Tonnage: ~257.32 gross tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 17 m / 55 ft
• Location: Approximately 2 miles offshore (east of Wind Point, Wisconsin)
• Coordinates: ~ 42°46.684′ N, 87°43.509′ W
• Official Number: 14031
• Original Owners: Built for Lewis Ryerse, Buffalo; final owner & master: Capt. Hartley J. Hatch (Chicago)
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Kate Kelly was designed as a canaller schooner, built to navigate the narrow locks of the Welland Canal while maximizing cargo capacity.

Description

The Kate Kelly featured robust mid-19th century wooden construction with carvel planking, multiple double floor timbers, and an internal centreboard arrangement typical for Great Lakes schooners of her era. She was rigged fore-and-aft on two masts, allowing flexibility in handling and efficient operation in variable wind conditions. Over her operational life, she underwent several major repairs and rebuilds, notably in 1870 and 1875–1876.

History

After her launch in 1867 at Tonawanda, NY, the Kate Kelly entered Great Lakes trade under Buffalo owners. Her homeport shifted to Oswego, New York, and her trade routes included grain, coal, lumber, and wood products between Lake Michigan and Lake Ontario ports. She was documented in a number of mishaps, including collisions and groundings. In October 1893, she ran ashore at Spider Island, requiring repairs. By the mid-1890s, she remained economically viable for wood cargoes. In May 1895, she loaded hemlock railroad ties at Alpena, Michigan, before proceeding toward Chicago.

Significant Incidents

• 1871: Collided with the brig Rosius near Chicago.
• 1874: Struck a dock at Oswego.
• September 1875: Grounded outside Oswego harbor, sustaining damage.
• October 1893: Ran ashore at Spider Island, requiring repairs.

Final Disposition

The Kate Kelly likely capsized during a severe storm on May 13, 1895, due to overwhelming seas or wind pressure. Her hull fragmented as she settled, with structural remains scattered across the lakebed. No human remains were ever recovered.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck site is located under navigable waters and may pose entanglement hazards for divers. A seasonal mooring buoy marks the site to reduce risk from anchoring damage. Access is by boat, with no viable shore entry. Visibility is variable, often between 10–30 ft, with minimal currents and possible thermocline layers in summer.

Resources & Links

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Closing Summary

The Kate Kelly serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes. The wreck is a site of historical significance and is protected under the National Register of Historic Places.