Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lilly May
- Type: Wooden three-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1869
- Builder: J. Hanson, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: ~192 GRT / ~182 NRT
- Location: Presumably Lake Michigan or Lake Superior
- Official Number: 15872
- Original Owners: Likely private or commercial freight; specific owners at loss unknown
- Number of Masts: 3
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Wooden three-masted schooner
Description
Lilly May was a wooden three-masted schooner built in 1869 by J. Hanson in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. The vessel was primarily used as a bulk cargo carrier, likely transporting lumber, coal, or grain.
History
The Lilly May was constructed with a single deck and three masts, designed for freight transport. The vessel’s ownership at the time of loss is not well-documented, but it was likely involved in private or commercial freight operations.
Significant Incidents
- On May 16, 1905, the Lilly May was carrying a heavy cargo when its hull failed, leading to a rapid sinking.
- The crew successfully abandoned the vessel without injury.
- The wreck was deemed a navigational hazard and was dynamited in the spring of 1905 to clear the wreckage.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Lilly May was completely removed from the waterway, and no known remains exist for survey or exploration.
Current Condition & Accessibility
As of now, the site of the Lilly May is presumed to be in Lake Michigan or Lake Superior, but specific site data is unavailable due to the quick sinking and subsequent explosive clearance.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lilly-may-lillie-e-lilly-e-us-15872″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Lilly May highlights the vulnerabilities of aging wooden vessels under heavy loads, a significant concern in Great Lakes shipping during the early 20th century. Although no physical remains are present, the incident serves as a reminder of the maritime safety challenges faced by cargo vessels of that era.
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.
Lilly May (built 1869 – lost May 16, 1905)
Identification & Construction
- Name: Lilly May (also recorded as Lillie E. or Lilly E.)
- Official Number: 15872
- Type: Wooden three-masted schooner
- Built: 1869 by J. Hanson, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Hull Material: Wood
- Decks: 1, with three masts
- Ownership: Likely private or commercial freight; specific owners at loss unknown
Dimensions & Capacity
- Tonnage: ~192 GRT / ~182 NRT
- Role: Bulk cargo carrier (likely lumber, coal, or grain)
Final Voyage & Loss – May 16, 1905
- Carried a heavy cargo (unspecified); the hull failed, unable to cope with the weight, resulting in a rapid sinking.
- Crew abandoned the vessel safely.
- The sunken hulk was deemed a navigational hazard and was dynamited in spring 1905 to clear the wreckage. (2manitowoc.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, alcheminc.com, Wikipedia)
Wreck Site & Current Status
- Location: Presumably Lake Michigan or Lake Superior—further site data is unavailable due to quick sinking and explosive clearance
- Condition: Completely removed from the waterway; no known remains exist to survey
Sources & Verification
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – M notes the hull failure, abandonment, and dynamiting due to navigational hazard, confirming the event timeline and clearance by explosion. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Manitowoc County shipwreck logs confirm vessel identity, build details, tonnage, and loss circumstances. (2manitowoc.com)
Research Gaps & Next Steps
| Focus Area | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Cargo details | Search 1905 freight manifests and insurance records to identify cargo type and weight contributing to hull failure. |
| Crew records | Examine newspaper archives (Milwaukee Journal, Manitowoc Herald) for crew interviews, salvage notes, or hull insurance claims. |
| Precise location | Review Coast Guard or harbor authority logs for sinking coordinates or hazard removal details. |
| Builders’ plans | Locate 1869 builder’s plans at Manitowoc archives to assess hull design and load capacity, to contextualize structural failure. |
Historical & Archaeological Context
Lilly May’s loss by hull failure under heavy freight emphasizes the vulnerability of aging wooden schooners to overloaded cargo—a persistent threat in Great Lakes shipping by the early 20th century. Her rapid sinking and subsequent dynamiting illustrate how authorities responded to critical hazards in active navigational lanes. Though no physical remains survive, archival records provide insight into maritime safety practices and the economic pressures on cargo vessels of that era.
lilly-may-lillie-e-lilly-e-us-15872 1905-05-16 14:15:00