Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Laurina
- Type: Scow-Schooner
- Year Built: 1870
- Builder: Fredrickson, Chicago, Illinois
- Dimensions: 73 ft (22.3 m) × 18.5 ft (5.6 m) × 5.1 ft (1.55 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 55.40 gross tons
- Location: Alongside Knapp Street Breakwater, Milwaukee Bay
- Coordinates: N 43° 01.942′ | W 087° 53.618′
- Official Number: 15875
- Original Owners: Johnson & partners; Final Owner: Samuel Martin
- Number of Masts: 2-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Laurina is classified as a wooden scow-schooner, a type of vessel designed for shallow draft operations, particularly suited for transporting bulk cargo.
Description
Originally built in 1870, the Laurina was a 2-masted scow-schooner with dimensions of 73 ft (22.3 m) in length, 18.5 ft (5.6 m) in beam, and a hold depth of 5.1 ft (1.55 m). The vessel was primarily used in the lumber and sand trade on Lake Michigan, making it ideal for navigating small harbors.
History
The Laurina was originally owned by Johnson & partners and later by Samuel Martin. It underwent a significant rebuild in 1881 to enhance its cargo capacity. Throughout the 1890s, it operated in the Milwaukee–Racine trade, transporting hardwood lumber and sand.
Significant Incidents
- April 20-21, 1893: The Laurina sought shelter in Milwaukee Harbor during a storm but dragged anchor and struck the rocks at the breakwater. The crew escaped safely, and no lives were lost.
Final Disposition
After the incident, the Laurina was declared a total loss on August 1, 1893. Attempts to salvage the wreck were unsuccessful, and it was left abandoned, likely disintegrating or buried under harbor fill.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Laurina is believed to have been obliterated by harbor expansion and dredging activities in the late 19th to early 20th century. No verified remains have been located to date.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”laurina-us-15875″ title=”References & Links”]
The Laurina serves as a historical example of late 19th-century scow-schooners used in the Great Lakes lumber trade, reflecting the operational hazards faced by small vessels in exposed harbors.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →