Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: L.R. Doty
- Type: Steamship
- Year Built: 1893
- Builder: F.W. Wheeler & Company
- Dimensions: 291 ft (88.8 m); Beam 41 ft; Depth of hold 20 ft
- Registered Tonnage: 2,056 tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 91 m / 300 ft
- Location: Approximately 20 miles off Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Coordinates: Approximate location based on historical data
- Official Number: 141272
- Original Owners: Cuyahoga Transit Company
- Number of Masts: Three masts
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The SS L.R. Doty was a wooden-hulled Great Lakes steamship designed for bulk cargo transport, notable for being one of the last large wooden freighters on the Great Lakes.
Description
Constructed in 1893, the L.R. Doty measured approximately 291 feet in length and was built with a wooden hull reinforced with steel. She was powered by a three-cylinder triple-expansion steam engine and had a gross tonnage of 2,056 tons.
History
The L.R. Doty served the Great Lakes grain and ore trade from 1893 until her sinking in 1898. She was known for her reliability and was often paired with the barge Olive Jeanette to maximize cargo capacity.
Significant Incidents
- October 25, 1898: The L.R. Doty sank during a severe storm in Lake Michigan, resulting in the loss of all 17 crew members.
Final Disposition
After her sinking, the L.R. Doty was lost for over a century until her wreck was discovered in June 2010, lying upright and largely intact at a depth of approximately 300 feet.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the L.R. Doty is in an exceptionally well-preserved state due to the cold freshwater environment of Lake Michigan, making it a significant archaeological site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”l-r-doty” title=”References & Links”]
The story of the L.R. Doty serves as a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes and highlights the transition from wooden to steel vessels in maritime history.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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