Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Kossuth
- Type: Wooden paddle-wheel tug
- Year Built: 1850
- Builder: Townsend or Tonawanda, New York
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Approximately 118 tons
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Coordinates: N/A
- Official Number: N/A
- Original Owners: N/A
- Number of Masts: N/A
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Wooden paddle-wheel tug
Description
The Kossuth was a wooden paddle tug built in 1850, primarily used for tug operations on Lake Michigan. It was approximately 118 tons in size.
History
The Kossuth was constructed in either Townsend or Tonawanda, New York, and served in tug operations on Lake Michigan. It was lost on May 2, 1858, during a northwest gale.
Significant Incidents
- Final Voyage: Departed Chicago, bound for White Lake, Michigan.
- Weather: Encountered a northwest gale, typical for spring on Lake Michigan.
- Event: Attempted to seek refuge at Muskegon but struck a submerged bar, becoming firmly grounded.
- Outcome: The vessel was abandoned and left to the elements; wreckage was pounded to pieces over subsequent days.
- Casualties: None—no crew losses were reported.
Final Disposition
The Kossuth was abandoned after grounding on a bar during a storm. The hull was subsequently destroyed by wave action.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, and it may have been destroyed by wave action over time.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”kossuth-1850″ title=”References & Links”]
The Kossuth serves as a reminder of the treacherous conditions on Lake Michigan, particularly during spring storms. Its loss highlights the dangers faced by vessels navigating this region.
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.
(Wooden Paddle Tug, built 1850; lost May 2, 1858)
Vessel Identity & Registry
- Type: Wooden paddle-wheel tug
- Built: 1850, Townsend or Tonawanda, New York
- Tonnage: Approximately 118 tons
- Function: Tug operations on Lake Michigan
Final Voyage & Storm Incident (May 2, 1858)
- Route: Departed Chicago, bound for White Lake, Michigan
- Weather: Encountered a northwest gale, typical for spring on Lake Michigan
- Event: Attempted to seek refuge at Muskegon, but struck a submerged bar, where she became firmly grounded
- Outcome: The vessel was abandoned, left to the elements; wreckage was pounded to pieces over subsequent days
- Casualties: None—no crew losses were reported
(WZZM 13, WTTW News, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | 1850, New York-based shipyard |
| Type & Tonnage | Wooden paddle tug; ~118 tons |
| Route at Time of Loss | Chicago → White Lake, MI (via Muskegon) |
| Date | May 2, 1858 |
| Cause of Damage | Grounded on bar during northwest gale |
| Final Outcome | Abandoned; hull destroyed by wave action |
| Crew Casualties | None |
Historical & Meteorological Context
- Spring storms, especially northwest gales, were common and treacherous on Lake Michigan.
- The Muskegon harbor entrance featured shifting bars and shoals that regularly caused damage. The Kossuth was the first of several similar wrecks in that location.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Suggested Next Research Steps
- Weather Archives Access NOAA or Canadian climate records to verify gale conditions on May 1–3, 1858.
- Contemporary Newspaper Reports
- Review Chicago and Muskegon periodicals (e.g., Chicago Tribune, Muskegon Chronicle) for eyewitness details, crew statements, or salvage efforts.
- Harbor Records & Surveys Examine U.S. Lake Survey or Army Corps reports for maps of the Muskegon bar during the late 1850s.
- Archaeological Evidence Investigate whether Michigan Shipwreck Research Association or NOAA has logged a wreck site matching Kossuth’s description near Muskegon harbor entrance.