Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lester R. Rockwell
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1845
- Builder: C. Shepardson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Approximately 84 ft length × 20 ft beam × 8 ft depth; 116 tons gross tonnage
- Registered Tonnage: 116 tons
- Location: Near Muskegon, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: Not recorded
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Lester R. Rockwell was a small wooden schooner typical of mid-19th century Great Lakes coastal and freight service. Built in Milwaukee by C. Shepardson in 1845, she was relatively modest at ~116 gross tons. Likely used for regional trade, she would have carried grain, lumber, or general cargo between Lake Michigan ports.
Description
The vessel’s operational service spanned roughly a decade. She was listed in contemporary maritime registers and enrollment logs but occupies only a brief mention in historical sources. The only recorded incident is her loss in December 1855 during a gale on Lake Michigan near Muskegon. No further history — such as cargo manifest or crew names — is documented.
History
During a winter storm in December 1855, Lester R. Rockwell was overwhelmed in a gale off Muskegon and lost. The wreck occurred near shore, but there is no detailed record about whether she broke up immediately or was grounded. The absence of life-loss reports suggests the crew survived, but no confirmation exists.
Significant Incidents
- Lost in December 1855 during a gale on Lake Michigan near Muskegon.
Final Disposition
No modern archaeological or diving survey records are known. The wreck has not been located or documented in underwater archives. No sonar or diving expeditions are attributed to this wreck.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No Notices to Mariners or official hazard bulletins appear to exist concerning this wreck. Given the era, standardized hazard notices did not yet exist.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lester-r-rockwell-c-1845″ title=”References & Links”]
Though scant in detail, the Lester R. Rockwell exemplifies the many small schooners lost in winter storms on Lake Michigan during the mid-19th century. With minimal documentation beyond a brief listing, the wreck remains largely undocumented archaeologically. For deeper analysis, primary sources like period newspapers or enrollment registers (e.g. Wisconsin vessel enrollments, local Muskegon news) would be needed. If desired, I can assist in locating those archives to supplement this profile.
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, Driven Aground and Lost — Lake Michigan
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Vessel Name: Lester R. Rockwell
- Official Number: Not recorded
- Type at Loss: Wooden two‑masted schooner
- Year Built: 1845
- Builder: C. Shepardson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Approximately 84 ft length × 20 ft beam × 8 ft depth; 116 tons gross tonnage (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, NPS History)
- Date of Loss: December 1855
- Location: Near Muskegon, Lake Michigan (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Cause of Loss: Overwhelmed by a storm; driven aground or foundered in December gale — minimal details survive (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Cargo: Likely general or bulk cargo; none recorded
- Loss of Life: Undocumented; probably survived or no fatalities noted
Vessel Type Description
The Lester R. Rockwell was a small wooden schooner typical of mid‑19th century Great Lakes coastal and freight service. Built in Milwaukee by C. Shepardson in 1845, she was relatively modest at ~116 gross tons. Likely used for regional trade, she would have carried grain, lumber, or general cargo between Lake Michigan ports.
History & Chronology
The vessel’s operational service spanned roughly a decade. She was listed in contemporary maritime registers and enrollment logs but occupies only a brief mention in historical sources. The only recorded incident is her loss in December 1855 during a gale on Lake Michigan near Muskegon. No further history — such as cargo manifest or crew names — is documented.
Final Disposition
During a winter storm in December 1855, Lester R. Rockwell was overwhelmed in a gale off Muskegon and lost. The wreck occurred near shore, but there is no detailed record about whether she broke up immediately or was grounded. The absence of life‑loss reports suggests the crew survived, but no confirmation exists.
Located By & Date Found
No modern archaeological or diving survey records are known. The wreck has not been located or documented in underwater archives. No sonar or diving expeditions are attributed to this wreck.
Notmars & Advisories
No Notices to Mariners or official hazard bulletins appear to exist concerning this wreck. Given the era, standardized hazard notices did not yet exist.
Resources & Links
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (Lester R. Rockwell listing) | Basic vessel data, build year, dimensions, ownership, date and place of loss, storm cause, lack of detail — derived from compiled lists including “hgl”, “is”, “wl”, “bb” sources (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) |
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
Lake Michigan, schooner, 1840s–1850s vessels, storm loss, small coasting schooner, mid‑19th century Great Lakes wreck
Summary
Though scant in detail, the Lester R. Rockwell exemplifies the many small schooners lost in winter storms on Lake Michigan during the mid‑19th century. With minimal documentation beyond a brief listing, the wreck remains largely undocumented archaeologically. For deeper analysis, primary sources like period newspapers or enrollment registers (e.g. Wisconsin vessel enrollments, local Muskegon news) would be needed. If desired, I can assist in locating those archives to supplement this profile.
lester-r-rockwell-c-1845 1855-12-25 10:24:00