Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: La Salle
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1835
- Builder: Parsons shipyard, Huron, Ohio
- Dimensions: Approx. 83 ft × 24 ft × 10 ft; 167 tons
- Registered Tonnage: 167 tons
- Location: Approximately 12 miles offshore from Racine, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 15803
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The La Salle was a wooden two-masted schooner primarily used for grain transport across the Great Lakes, particularly engaged in Lake Michigan grain runs.
Description
Built in 1835 by Parsons shipyard in Huron, Ohio, the La Salle measured approximately 83 feet in length, 24 feet in beam, and had a hold depth of 10 feet. She was registered at 167 tons.
History
The La Salle was primarily involved in transporting grain, operating mainly between Chicago and Milwaukee. Her final voyage began when she departed Chicago carrying a grain cargo bound for her home port of Milwaukee.
Significant Incidents
- Final Incident: On September 22, 1849, the La Salle was struck by a sudden squall approximately 12 miles offshore from Racine, Lake Michigan.
- Casualties: Out of nine crew members aboard, eight were lost, with only one known survivor.
Final Disposition
The La Salle was declared a total constructive loss after capsizing and sinking rapidly in deep water. The wreck remains submerged and unrecoverable.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the La Salle is located in deep water and is not accessible for recovery or exploration.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”la-salle-1849″ title=”References & Links”]
Further investigation into archival sources, including crew records, weather logs, and period newspapers, could provide additional insights into the tragic loss of the La Salle and her crew.
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