Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lem Ellsworth
- Type: wooden, three-masted canal schooner
- Year Built: 1874
- Builder: Wolf & Davidson
- Dimensions: 138 × 26 × 11 ft (42.06 × 7.92 × 3.35 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 340 gt (323 nt)
- Location: Midlake Lake Michigan, approximately 30–40 miles NNE of Chicago
- Official Number: 140062
- Number of Masts: 3
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A wooden, three-masted canal schooner with auxiliary steam assistance (screw), commonly used for heavy bulk cargo like stone. Measuring approximately 138 × 26 × 11 ft with 340 gt (323 nt).
Description
The Lem Ellsworth was designed for transporting bulk materials, particularly stone. It was built to navigate the Great Lakes and was equipped to handle the challenges of shipping in these waters.
History
- 1874: Enrolled in November, launched in Milwaukee.
- Service Career: Primarily transported bulk materials; in 1894 she had recently carried stone from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Chicago.
- 18 May 1894: Caught in a powerful spring storm. Witness reports describe her taking on water and sinking, with only spars visible above the surface. Two figures were seen before the vessel suddenly keeled and sank.
- Search & Recovery: A U.S. Life Saving Crew was notified, but all seven crew members were lost. Wreckage washed ashore near Kenosha about a week later.
Significant Incidents
- Foundered during a severe gale on 18 May 1894.
- All seven crew members perished in the incident.
- Wreckage debris was discovered near Kenosha, indicating the final location.
Final Disposition
Foundered midlake, sinking swiftly under gale conditions approximately 30–40 miles northeast of Chicago. The entire crew of seven perished, and no survivors.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No intact wreck has been discovered. Wreckage debris discovered near Kenosha suggests the final location. No precise site survey has been conducted.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lems-ellsworth-us-140062″ title=”References & Links”]
The Lem Ellsworth exemplifies the vulnerability of heavily loaded wooden schooners to sudden weather changes on Lake Michigan. Despite being a capable vessel built for coarse cargo, she did not survive the furious spring gale of May 1894. The loss of all crew members and the absence of a modern wreck site underscore the tragedy’s impact on maritime history—a stark reminder of the dangers faced by 19th-century mariners.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lem Ellsworth
- Official Number: 140062
- Year Built: 1874 in Milwaukee, WI by Wolf & Davidson (shipbuildinghistory.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Final Location: Midlake Lake Michigan, approximately 30–40 miles NNE of Chicago (OnMilwaukee)
- Date Lost: 18 May 1894
- How Lost: Foundered during a severe gale
- Final Cargo: Stone blocks (likely cut limestone or similar bulk cargo)
Vessel Type & Construction
A wooden, three-masted canal schooner with auxiliary steam assistance (screw), commonly used for heavy bulk cargo like stone. Measuring approximately 138 × 26 × 11 ft with 340 gt (323 nt) (baillod.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
History & Final Voyage
- 1874: Enrolled in November, launched in Milwaukee.
- Service Career: Primarily transported bulk materials; in 1894 she had recently carried stone from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to Chicago .
- 18 May 1894: Caught in a powerful spring storm. Witness reports (from near Chicago and Evanston) describe her taking on water and sinking, with only spars visible above the surface. Two figures were seen before the vessel suddenly keeled and sank (OnMilwaukee).
- Search & Recovery: A U.S. Life Saving Crew was notified, but all seven crew members were lost. Wreckage washed ashore near Kenosha about a week later (OnMilwaukee).
Final Disposition
Foundered midlake, sinking swiftly under gale conditions approximately 30–40 miles northeast of Chicago. The entire crew of seven perished, and no survivors.
Located By & Date Found
No intact wreck has been discovered. Wreckage debris discovered near Kenosha suggests final location. No precise site survey has been conducted.
Notmars & Advisories
No historic Notices to Mariners issued.
Resources & Links
- OnMilwaukee – Wisconsin Marine Historical Society: “On this day…” article detailing loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, OnMilwaukee)
- Wisconsin Marine Historical Society database: Ship specifics, loss coordinates estimation
- Wolf & Davidson shipyard records citing 1874 build (shipbuildinghistory.com)
- Wisconsin Historical Society PDF confirming foundering and crew loss (OnMilwaukee)
Conclusion
The Lem Ellsworth exemplifies the vulnerability of heavily loaded wooden schooners to sudden weather changes on Lake Michigan. Despite being a capable vessel built for coarse cargo, she did not survive the furious spring gale of May 1894. The loss of all crew members and the absence of a modern wreck site underscore the tragedy’s impact on maritime history—a stark reminder of the dangers faced by 19th-century mariners.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
Keywords: Lem Ellsworth, Milwaukee-built schooner, Lake Michigan storm, foundering, stone cargo, 1894 shipwreck
Categories: Great Lakes shipwrecks, wooden schooners, storm sinkings, 19th-century maritime disasters
Glossary:
- Foundered: Filled with water and sank suddenly due to structural or weather-related failure
- Canal schooner: A sailing vessel designed for bulk freight, sometimes equipped for shallow draft and inland waterway navigation
- Midlake: Refers to sinking in open water rather than near shore