Lydia Case US 25848

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Lydia Case
• Type: Three-masted wooden schooner
• Year Built: 1862
• Builder: Greenleaf S. Rand shipyard, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
• Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 177 GRT
• Location: Reefs near Pilot Island, Lake Michigan
• Official Number: 25848
• Number of Masts: Three

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Three-masted wooden schooner, primarily used for bulk cargo transport.

Description

The Lydia Case was constructed in 1862 and initially carried grain, with a capacity of 14,000 bushels on her maiden voyage. Over time, she also transported salt and coal. Her owners increased insurance coverage shortly before her loss, indicating her importance in regional trade.

History

Constructed in 1862, Lydia Case initially carried grain—14,000 bushels on her maiden voyage—breaking insurance records. Over time, cargoes included salt and coal. Shortly before her demise, her owners increased insurance coverage on both hull and cargo, reflecting her consistent use in regional trade.

Significant Incidents

• Date: September 1872 (exact day unrecorded)
• Voyage: Departed Milwaukee bound for Green Bay, carrying coal
• Incident: Ran aground on the reefs of Pilot Island in a severe northeast gale
• Outcome: Wrecked and declared a constructive total loss; no lives were lost.

Final Disposition

• Cargo: Coal was salvaged in 1873 by Van Nostrand & Son using the steamer Union.
• Registry: Vessel documentation surrendered at Milwaukee on December 31, 1872, marked “Total Loss”.
• Insurance: Hull insurance was increased from $500 to $800 shortly before the incident, with $7,000 coverage on cargo.

Current Condition & Accessibility

• Location: Reefs near Pilot Island, Lake Michigan (Death’s Door region between Wisconsin and Michigan)
• Wreck Condition: The vessel became embedded on the reef; attempts to pump and free her failed. She remained stranded and was eventually broken up by exposure.
• Remains: No visible wreckage today, though residual wreck coal and other remnants may persist underwater.

Resources & Links

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The Lydia Case serves as a classic example of mid-19th-century Great Lakes maritime commerce, transporting grain, salt, coal, and lumber across inland waters. Her loss in the litigious “Death’s Door” channels underscores the navigational hazards of the region. The successful recovery of her cargo supports effective 19th-century salvage operations.