Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Lady Elgin (1851)

Explore the tragic wreck of the Lady Elgin, a wooden side-wheel steamer that sank in 1860, claiming hundreds of lives in one of Lake Michigan’s worst maritime disasters.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Lady Elgin
  • Type: Wooden side-wheel steamer
  • Year Built: 1851
  • Builder: Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo, NY
  • Dimensions: Approx. 252 ft (77 m) length; Beam approx. 33.7 ft (10.3 m); Depth ~14.3 ft (4.4 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: ~1,037 gross tons
  • Depth at Wreck Site: 15 m / 50 ft
  • Location: Off Winnetka / Highland Park, Lake Michigan, Illinois
  • Coordinates: 42.1833° N, 87.6500° W
  • Official Number: Unknown
  • Original Owners: Originally Aaron D. Patchin & G.D. Appleby (Buffalo); final owner Gurdon Saltonstall Hubbard
  • Number of Masts: None

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Lady Elgin was a wooden side-wheel steamer, constructed of white oak with iron-reinforced frames. She featured dual 32-ft diameter paddlewheels and was known for her luxurious accommodations and speed, earning her the nickname ‘Queen of the Great Lakes.’

Description

Constructed by Bidwell & Banta in Buffalo, the Lady Elgin was a two-decked vessel capable of carrying approximately 200 cabin and 100 deck passengers, along with 800 tons of freight. She was noted for her speed and luxurious accommodations.

History

First enrolled on November 5, 1851, in Buffalo, the Lady Elgin served various routes including Buffalo to Wisconsin ports and Chicago to Lake Superior ports. Throughout her operational life, she experienced several incidents, including collisions, grounding, fire damage, and machinery faults, but was repeatedly repaired and returned to service. On September 6, 1860, she departed Chicago for Milwaukee carrying many members of Milwaukee’s Union Guards militia and other excursionists. In the early hours of September 8, she collided with the unlit schooner Augusta, leading to her rapid sinking.

Significant Incidents

  • 1852: Collision off Florence
  • 1854: Grounding at Manitowoc
  • 1857: Fire damage
  • 1858: Reef impact at Copper Harbor
  • 1859: Machinery faults

Final Disposition

The collision caused catastrophic hull damage, leading to the rapid sinking of the Lady Elgin. Only a few lifeboats were launched, and many survivors clung to debris or the hurricane deck. The schooner Augusta sustained minimal damage and continued to Chicago. Legal inquiries followed, with blame placed on Augusta’s second mate for negligence, resulting in new regulations for running lights on sailing vessels.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck was located in May 1989 by salvor Harry Zych. It lies in multiple debris fields at depths of approximately 50-60 ft. Zych recovered over 130 artifacts, and legal ownership was awarded to him in 1999. Current hazards include unauthorized artifact removal, and diving requires permission from the Lady Elgin Foundation.

Resources & Links

The Lady Elgin disaster remains one of Lake Michigan’s most tragic maritime events, with a significant loss of life and a lasting impact on maritime regulations. Memorials exist for the victims, and the wreck continues to be a site of interest for divers and historians alike.