Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: L. B. Shepard
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1855
- Builder: Buffalo, NY
- Dimensions: 115 ft × 26 ft × 11 ft; 215 gross, 204 net tons
- Registered Tonnage: 215 gross, 204 net tons
- Location: Approximately ½ mile off Two Rivers, Wisconsin
- Official Number: 14676
- Original Owners: Capt. Charles Anderson of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; owned with his brother
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner, a common vessel type in the mid-19th century, designed for cargo transport.
Description
Description
The L. B. Shepard was a wooden schooner measuring 115 feet in length, 26 feet in beam, and 11 feet in depth. It was built in 1855 in Buffalo, NY, and had a registered tonnage of 215 gross and 204 net tons.
History
History
Owned by Capt. Charles Anderson and his brother, the L. B. Shepard was engaged in transporting lumber from Menominee, Michigan, to Chicago. The vessel was operational until its loss in 1898.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- On October 13, 1898, the L. B. Shepard encountered a northeast gale, leading to large waves and fog that contributed to its distress.
- The vessel lost its stern section, capsized, and sank after several hours of struggling offshore, with the crew abandoning the ship safely.
- The bow portion later came ashore near Two Rivers, Wisconsin, where it broke up on the beach.
- No fatalities were reported among the crew.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The wreck was located approximately ½ mile off Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Local salvagers, aided by a tug (likely Winslow from Detroit), attempted to recover wreckage amidst inclement weather. The main loss involved cargo and hull, with partial structural remains stranded ashore and later dismantled by beachcombers and salvagers.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck no longer holds underwater remains, but community salvage operations may have preserved records or artifacts. Local archives may provide further insights into the wreck’s history.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”l-b-shepard-us-14676″ title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion
The L. B. Shepard capsized and sank during a storm on October 13, 1898, with the stern shearing off and part of the hull beaching near Two Rivers, WI. All crewmembers survived. Exploration of local archives may yield valuable information regarding the wreck and its aftermath.
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.
Identification & Technical Details
- Name: L. B. Shepard (alternate spelling: L. B. Shephard)
- Official No.: 14676
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Built: 1855, Buffalo, NY
- Dimensions: 115 ft × 26 ft × 11 ft; 215 gross, 204 net tons
- Owner & Master: Capt. Charles Anderson of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin; owned with his brother
- Voyage: Bound from Menominee, Michigan, for Chicago carrying lumber
Final Voyage & Disaster (October 13, 1898)
- Encountered a northeast gale while en route; large waves and fog contributed to distress.
- Shepard lost stern section, then capsized and sank after several hours of struggling offshore; crew abandoned ship safely.
- Later, the bow portion came ashore near Two Rivers, Wisconsin and broke up on the beach
- No fatalities were reported among the crew.
Rescue & Aftermath
- The wreck was located approximately ½ mile off Two Rivers, WI.
- Local salvagers, aided by a tug (likely Winslow from Detroit), battled inclement weather while attempting to recover wreckage.
- The main loss involved cargo and hull, though partial structural remains were stranded ashore, later dismantled by beachcombers and salvagers.
Archival Sources
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“S” list): Entry includes build details, narrative of stern failure, capsizing, crew survival, and wrecking tug involvement.
- Manitowoc County shipwreck note: Reports Shepard waterlogged and rolled over during the October gale of 1898 near Two Rivers.
Research Gaps & Suggested Investigation
| Area | Recommended Focus |
|---|---|
| Crew and testimonies | Seek out Two Rivers Chronicle or Sturgeon Bay Advocate (Oct–Nov 1898) for survivor accounts and local rescue records. |
| Cargo & salvage value | Examine marine insurance claims filed in Chicago or Buffalo for lumber cargo loss. |
| Wreck site documentation | Check whether local historical societies or the Wisconsin Historical Society hold photos or drawings of the wrecked bow on the beach. |
| Technical logs | Investigate tug Winslow‘s logs for details on their involvement and salvage attempts. |
Historical Significance
The L. B. Shepard was an example of mid-19th-century wooden schooners still operating into the late 1800s. Her loss underscores persistent risks of fall gales and the vulnerability of stern integrity under stress. The split-hull failure and subsequent capsizing provide vivid insight into vessel structural limitations of that era—valuable for marine archaeology and maritime engineering study.
Conclusion
L. B. Shepard capsized and sank during a storm on October 13, 1898, with the stern shearing off and part of the hull beaching near Two Rivers, WI. All crewmembers survived. While the wreck no longer holds underwater remains, community salvage operations may have preserved records or artifacts—worth exploring in local archives.
- Draft a newspaper-research plan targeting survivor interviews?
- Reach out to Wisconsin Historical Society for photos or logs?
- Outline a site visit guide to Two Rivers shoreline for field documentation?