Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

La Salle (1849)

The wooden schooner La Salle capsized during a squall on Lake Michigan, resulting in the loss of eight crew members. The wreck remains submerged and unrecoverable.

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.

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 two-masted schooner, built 1835)

Identification & Vessel Details

  • Name: La Salle
  • Built: 1835 by Parsons shipyard, Huron, Ohio
  • Official Number: 15803
  • Type: Wooden two-masted schooner used for grain transport
  • Dimensions: Approx. 83 ft × 24 ft × 10 ft; 167 tons
  • Trade Route: Primarily engaged in Lake Michigan grain runs

Final Incident – September 22, 1849

  • Voyage: Departed Chicago bound for Milwaukee (her home port), carrying a grain cargo
  • Location of Loss: Approximately 12 miles offshore from Racine, Lake Michigan
  • Weather Conditions: Struck by a sudden squall—likely a powerful autumn storm
  • Incident Description: The squall capsized the vessel, causing rapid loss of stability and structural integrity; La Salle sank quickly in deep water
  • Casualties: 8 out of 9 aboard were lost; only one known survivor from the crew (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)

Final Disposition

  • Declared: Total constructive loss. The wreck remains submerged and unrecoverable in deep water
  • Survivors & Rescue: At least one crew member survived the capsize—details may be preserved in period accounts

Archival Sources

  • Great Lakes Shipwreck Files entry confirms build data, loss date/location, cargo, casualty count, and wreck outcome (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)

Archival Gaps & Research Recommendations

  • Survivor Identity & Account: Milwaukee and Racine newspapers (Sept–Oct 1849) may feature interviews detailing the incident
  • Captain & Crew Records: Shipping logs and crew manifests from Chicago or Milwaukee ports might list names and roles
  • Cargo Valuation: Grain manifests or insurance records could reveal loss value and affected merchants
  • Maritime Conditions: U.S. Weather Bureau (predecessor) or lighthouse logs may contain data on the squall’s intensity
  • Ship Registry Detail: Original shipyard or registry documents may confirm construction quality and ownership

Summary

The schooner La Salle, built in 1835 and engaged in grain transport, capsized during a sudden squall on Lake Michigan off Racine on September 22, 1849. She sank rapidly, with only one survivor out of nine aboard. The vessel was lost to deep water and declared a total loss. Further investigation into crew records, weather logs, and period newspapers could provide a more human and technical perspective on this tragic early Great Lakes maritime disaster.

Would you like me to source historical newspaper stories, weather observations, or crew listings to enrich the account of the La Salle‘s final voyage?

la-salle-1849 1849-09-22 09:36:00