Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Lumberman
- Type: Three-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1862
- Builder: Allyne Litchfield
- Dimensions: Length ~126.5 ft (38.6 m); Beam ~23.2 ft (7.07 m); Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 20 m / 70 ft
- Location: ~17 mi southeast of Milwaukee, Lake Michigan
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Lumberman is classified as a three-masted wooden schooner, notable for its double-centerboard design, which is a rarer configuration among Great Lakes vessels.
Description
Constructed in 1862 at Blendon’s Landing (Grand Haven), Michigan, the Lumberman was built by shipbuilder Allyne Litchfield. The vessel features a wooden hull with a length of approximately 126.5 feet (38.6 meters) and a beam of about 23.2 feet (7.07 meters). It was primarily used for transporting lumber, bark, and shingles between northern Lake Michigan ports and Chicago during its operational years.
History
The Lumberman had a service history marked by several notable incidents, including collisions in 1869 and 1874, and a lightning strike in 1883 that damaged its mizzen mast. The vessel was rebuilt in 1889, extending its service life until its loss in 1893.
Significant Incidents
- Collisions in 1869 (with bark Hungarian) and 1874 (with Pilgrim).
- Lightning strike in 1883, shattering the mizzen mast.
Final Disposition
The Lumberman sank on April 6, 1893, during a violent squall. The crew, including Master Captain Orin Vose, survived by clinging to the rigging and were rescued approximately three hours later. The masts remained above water until they were removed by Knapp & Gillen in June 1893 under U.S. government authorization.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Lumberman was rediscovered in 1983 and has since become a popular dive site. Much of the ship remains intact, including bulwarks, decking, centerboard trunks, windlass, and bilge pump. However, it faces threats from zebra mussel infestation and structural decay.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lumberman-1862″ title=”References & Links”]
The Lumberman is a significant archaeological resource, providing insights into mid-19th-century shipbuilding and maritime history. Its preservation status and recreational diving opportunities make it an important site for both research and exploration.
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: Lumberman
- Year Built: 1862, at Blendon’s Landing (Grand Haven), Michigan, by shipbuilder Allyne Litchfield (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Type: Three‑masted wooden schooner (double-centerboard design)
- Loss Date: April 6, 1893 — lost to a sudden squall off Oak Creek, Wisconsin, en route from Chicago to Kewaunee, WI (foresthistoryassociationwi.com, wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Sinking Location: ~17 mi southeast of Milwaukee, Lake Michigan, in ~65–70 ft (20–21 m) of water (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Vessel Specifications
- Hull: Wood; length ~126.5 ft (38.6 m), beam ~23.2 ft (7.07 m) (Wikipedia)
- Centerboard Configuration: Twin centerboard trunks—rarer design among Great Lakes schooners (NPGallery)
- Tonnage: Data not specified in sources
Service History & Notable Incidents
- Primarily carried lumber, bark, shingles between northern Lake Michigan ports and Chicago during the 1860s–1880s (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Experienced several incidents:
- Collisions in 1869 (with bark Hungarian) and 1874 (Pilgrim)
- Lightning strike in 1883, shattering mizzen mast (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Rebuilt in 1889 (HMDB)
The Sinking Event
- Date: Friday, April 6, 1893, around 3 PM (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- A violent squall capsized her (“on her beam ends”); she briefly righted, then sank to the lakebed with masts protruding above water (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Crew Outcome: Master Captain Orin Vose and two crew members survived by clinging to the rigging; rescued ~3 hrs later by steamer Menominee (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Navigation Hazard: Masts remained above water; removed by Knapp & Gillen in June 1893 under U.S. government authorization (foresthistoryassociationwi.com)
Archaeological & Dive Site Significance
- Wreck Rediscovery: Found in 1983 by Dan Johnson; now a popular dive site (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Preservation Status: Much of the ship is intact, including bulwarks, decking, centerboard trunks, windlass, bilge pump; however, threats include zebra mussel infestation and structural decay (NPGallery)
- National Register: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places in January 2009 for State-level archaeological significance (foresthistoryassociationwi.com)
Gaps & Research Opportunities
- Crew Manifest: Need to retrieve ship’s enrollment records and client transport logs (e.g., 1893 enrollment surrender April 2)
- Technical Plans: Rare double-centerboard design—surveying remaining trunks may clarify why Litchfield chose this setup (NPGallery)
- Storm Data: Research meteorological logs and local newspaper coverage (Milwaukee, Chicago, Racine) for the April 6 squall
- Government Records: Locate documentation on mast removal and hazards operations (e.g., Congressional Serial Set) (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Importance & Conclusion
The Lumberman is a rare surviving example of a mid-19th-century double-centerboard schooner. Its near-pristine wreck provides exceptional insight into period wooden hull construction, rigging layout, and centerboard mechanics. The dramatic squall loss, crew survival, and subsequent sinking story enrich both maritime history and archaeology on Lake Michigan. The wreck serves as both a protected archaeological resource and a recreational dive site.
Dive Guide by Wisconsin Shipwrecks