Shotline Diving

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Lottie Cooper US 140185

Explore the remains of the Lottie Cooper, a historic schooner wrecked in 1894, now displayed at DeLand Park in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Lottie Cooper
  • Type: Schooner (three-masted)
  • Year Built: 1876
  • Builder: Rand & Burger shipyard, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
  • Dimensions: Length: 131 ft (39.9 m); Beam: 27 ft (8.2 m); Depth of hold: 9 ft (2.7 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: Approximately 250 gross tons
  • Location: DeLand Park, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
  • Official Number: 140185
  • Original Owners: Truman-Cooper Lumber and Flour Mill, later registered in Milwaukee, WI
  • Number of Masts: 3

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Lottie Cooper is classified as a three-masted schooner, a type of sailing vessel commonly used in the late 19th century for transporting goods, particularly lumber on the Great Lakes.

Description

Constructed in 1876, the Lottie Cooper was built of wood and designed for sail propulsion only. It measured 131 feet in length, 27 feet in beam, and had a hold depth of 9 feet. The vessel was originally owned by the Truman-Cooper Lumber and Flour Mill of Manitowoc, Wisconsin.

History

The Lottie Cooper had a notable service history, including incidents such as stranding at Sherman’s Bay in November 1880 and running aground at Port Sanilac, Michigan in August 1884 while carrying lumber. Its final voyage occurred on the night of April 8-9, 1894, when it capsized in a northwest gale while en route from Pine Lake, Michigan to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, resulting in the loss of one crew member.

Significant Incidents

  • Stranded at Sherman’s Bay in November 1880.
  • Ashore at Port Sanilac, MI in August 1884 while carrying lumber.

Final Disposition

The Lottie Cooper sank just off Sheboygan Harbor and remained buried in sediment until its rediscovery in 1992 during marina construction. Salvaged remnants were raised, partially reconstructed, and are now exhibited at DeLand Park, Sheboygan Waterfront.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck site is at high risk due to minimal preservation and exposure to the elements. The remains are accessible year-round, with interpretive signage and illustrations available for visitors.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”lottie-cooper-us-140185″ title=”References & Links”]

The Lottie Cooper serves as a significant reminder of the maritime history of the Great Lakes and the importance of ongoing conservation efforts to protect such cultural artifacts for future generations.

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.

Identification & Vessel Specifications

Construction & Ownership History

  • Built for the Truman‑Cooper Lumber and Flour Mill of Manitowoc, with original ownership linked to Thomas Jones and associates. Later registered in Milwaukee, WI. (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
  • Notable incidents:
    • Stranded at Sherman’s Bay in November 1880 (released after four days)
    • Ashore at Port Sanilac, MI in August 1884 while carrying lumber (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)

Final Voyage & Sinking (1894)

  • Date: Night of April 8–9, 1894
  • Cargo: Elm lumber, en route from Pine Lake, MI to Sheboygan WI
  • Incident Summary: Caught in a northwest gale, the schooner capsized offshore Sheboygan Harbour. Cargo shifted, flooding ensued, and structural failure followed. One crew member drowned after attempting to reach shore on a makeshift raft; five were rescued by Life Savers and a tugboat. (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
  • Damages & Losses: Estimated vessel value $7,000; cargo valued at $3,500. The deck load of lumber was largely lost or washed ashore (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)

Wreck Site Details & Recovery

  • Location: Originally sank just off Sheboygan Harbor (Lake Michigan), remains buried in sediment until rediscovery in 1992 during marina construction (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
  • Recovery & Display: Salvaged remnants were raised, partially reconstructed, and exhibited at DeLand Park, Sheboygan Waterfront—the only known Great Lakes shipwreck display of its kind (TravelWisconsin)
  • Conservation Status: Site is at high risk due to minimal preservation; exposure to the elements threatens its integrity (3DShipwrecks.org)
  • Public Access: The remains are accessible year-round, with interpretive signage and illustrations illustrating the schooner’s structure and history (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)

3D Documentation

  • A 3D photogrammetry model of the Lottie Cooper was produced by 3DShipwrecks. Captured in August 2020 (1,385 images) and modeled by Ken Merryman, the model is available under a Creative Commons Attribution license. It offers a digital preservation tool and educational asset. (3DShipwrecks.org)

Significance & Interpretation

  • Lottie Cooper exemplifies late-19th century Great Lakes schooner transportation, particularly in the lumber trade.
  • The display uniquely connects visitors to maritime history through tangible remnants of a working schooner, offering a rare ground-level archaeological exhibit. Its history illuminates regional shipping routes, design, and perils.
  • The 3D model enables researchers and educators to virtually explore the hull’s structure, complementing the fragile physical remains.

Site Advisory

  • Diving: Not applicable (wreck now on land).
  • Visitation: Open public access at DeLand Park, Sheboygan via Harbor Marina. No moorings or underwater navigation needed. (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
  • Conservation Recommendation: Urgent need for preservation planning—covering, climate protection, and interpretative displays should be evaluated to mitigate deterioration.

Key References & Further Reading

  • Wisconsin Shipwrecks Database – Lottie Cooper (1876) (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
  • Wisconsin Historical Society / VisitSheboygan – Visitor Attraction (TravelWisconsin)
  • Travel Wisconsin – Wreck of the Lottie Cooper (TravelWisconsin)
  • 3DShipwrecks.org – Lottie Cooper Model (3DShipwrecks.org)
  • Baillod.com Great Lakes Vessels Details (baillod.com)
  • Historical Marker Database (HMDB) entry on the Lottie Cooper sinking (HMDB)

3D Model

Lottie Cooper by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab

Keywords:

Lottie Cooper, Schooner, Lake Michigan, Manitowoc, Sheboygan Marina, Shipwreck Display, Historical Preservation, Rand & Burger.

The Sheboygan Marina exhibit serves as a poignant reminder of the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes and the ongoing need for conservation efforts to protect these cultural artifacts for future generations.

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