Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Louis Meeker
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1872
- Builder: Hanson & Scove
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 311 tons
- Location: South of Pentwater, near Big Sable Point
- Coordinates: Not available
- Official Number: 15873
- Original Owners: Registered under Chicago ownership
- Number of Masts: Not specified
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A substantial wooden schooner, newly built in 1872, designed for bulk grain transport across Lake Michigan. At 311 tons, she was notably large for her time and type.
Description
Completed in 1872 at Manitowoc and registered under Chicago ownership, the Louis Meeker loaded a substantial wheat cargo for eastern Lake Michigan delivery. On the stormy night of 28 August 1872, south of Pentwater (or near Big Sable Point), she capsized in heavy seas and sank rapidly. Of her nine crew, Captain West and four other sailors drowned.
History
The schooner foundered and sank in deep water, taking much of her cargo and five sailors to the lake bottom. The wreck was not salvaged, and no evidence suggests recovery efforts succeeded.
Significant Incidents
- On 28 August 1872, the Louis Meeker capsized and sank during a storm, resulting in the loss of five crew members, including Captain West.
Final Disposition
The schooner remains a lost wreck with an undocumented resting place, presumed to be off Pentwater / Big Sable Point.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No modern surveys, GPS records, or dive investigations have identified the wreck site. The sinking location remains unnamed but is presumed off Pentwater / Big Sable Point.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”louis-meeker-us-15873″ title=”References & Links”]
The Louis Meeker—a 311-ton schooner launched in 1872—met a tragic end just weeks after her arrival in service. On 28 August 1872, she capsized with a massive wheat payload offshore Lake Michigan, south of Pentwater. The disaster took the lives of five out of her nine crew, including Captain West. The vessel remains a lost wreck with an undocumented resting place.
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: Louis Meeker (alternate labels include Louise or Lewis Meeker)
- Official Number: 15873 (linkstothepast.com, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Built: 1872 at Manitowoc, Wisconsin by Hanson & Scove (prezi.com)
- Vessel Type: Wooden schooner
- Tonnage: 311 tons (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Final Loss: 28 August 1872, capsized and foundered south of Pentwater /near Big Sable Point, Lake Michigan (2manitowoc.com)
- Cargo: Approximately 22,000 bushels of wheat (~600 metric tons) (2manitowoc.com)
- Crew: 5 of 9 aboard lost; Captain West drowned (2manitowoc.com)
Vessel Type
A substantial wooden schooner, newly built in 1872, designed for bulk grain transport across Lake Michigan. At 311 tons, she was notably large for her time and type.
History & Final Voyage
Completed in 1872 at Manitowoc and registered under Chicago ownership, the Louis Meeker loaded a substantial wheat cargo for eastern Lake Michigan delivery. On the stormy night of 28 August 1872, south of Pentwater (or near Big Sable Point), she capsized in heavy seas and sank rapidly. Of her nine crew, Captain West and four other sailors drowned. (prezi.com)
Final Disposition
The schooner foundered and sank in deep water, taking much of her cargo and five sailors to the lake bottom. The wreck was not salvaged, and no evidence suggests recovery efforts succeeded.
Located By & Date Found
Nil return. No modern surveys, GPS records, or dive investigations have identified the wreck site. The sinking location remains unnamed but is presumed off Pentwater / Big Sable Point.
Notations & Advisories
No official navigational hazards are charted that reference her sinking. However, the area is known for late-summer storm risk, and small craft are advised to proceed cautiously in similar weather.
Resources & Links
- Manitowoc County shipwreck listing noting capsizing off Point Sauble/Pentwater (2manitowoc.com)
- History of the Great Lakes report specifying cargo, loss of crew, and sinking details (linkstothepast.com)
Conclusion
The Louis Meeker—a 311-ton schooner launched in 1872—met a tragic end just weeks after her arrival in service. On 28 August 1872, she capsized with a massive wheat payload offshore Lake Michigan, south of Pentwater. The disaster took the lives of five out of her nine crew, including Captain West. The vessel remains a lost wreck with an undocumented resting place.
louis-meeker-us-15873 1872-08-28 10:51:00