Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Kate Lyons
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: W. Jones, Black River, Ohio
- Dimensions: 122 ft (37 m) length × 26 ft (7.9 m) beam × 8 ft (2.4 m) depth
- Registered Tonnage: 201 grt / 191 nrt
- Location: Near Holland, Michigan coast
- Official Number: 14063
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden two-masted lumber schooner.
Description
The Kate Lyons was a typical late-19th century schooner, primarily used for lumber transport. Built in 1867, it measured approximately 122 feet in length, 26 feet in beam, and 8 feet in depth, with a registered tonnage of 201 gross and 191 net tons.
History
The vessel was constructed by W. Jones in Black River, Ohio, and was still in service in 1905 after undergoing partial rebuilds. It represents the tail-end era of sail-powered wooden commercial schooners on Lake Michigan.
Significant Incidents
- On October 20, 1905, during a storm, the Kate Lyons attempted to enter the harbor at dusk but missed the breakwater and grounded on a sandbar. The vessel was quickly overtaken by waves and subsequently broke apart. All four crew members survived.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Kate Lyons is believed to be located near a shallow sandbar at the entrance to Holland harbor. The site is likely characterized by scattered timbers and framing due to wave action, with no known detailed survey or dive reports available.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is likely undone by wave action, with debris scattered in shallow water. There are no detailed surveys or dive reports recorded in archival records.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”kate-lyons-us-14063″ title=”References & Links”]
The Kate Lyons is a recorded but under-documented wreck with no crew loss, making it ideal for heritage dives or archaeological surveys. It offers tangible insights into the construction, navigation, and demise of typical mid-19th-century lumber schooners. Recommended actions include archival searches, hydrographic surveys, diver documentation, and partnerships with Michigan maritime heritage resources to develop a comprehensive site profile and safe dive plan.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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