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
[shotline_reference_links slug=”lydia-case-us-25848″ title=”References & Links”]
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.
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.
(wooden schooner, built 1862)
Identification & Vessel Information
- Name: Lydia Case
- Built: 1862 by Greenleaf S. Rand shipyard, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Official Number: 25848 (Wisconsin Shipwrecks Database sources)
- Type: Three-masted wooden schooner (~177 GRT), used for bulk cargo
Service 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.
Final Incident (September 1872)
- 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 (“blown ashore in a northeast gale”)
- Outcome: Wrecked and declared a constructive total loss. The hull could not be refloated even with steam pumps. Fortunately, no lives were lost.
Salvage & Aftermath
- 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—financial readiness validated by successful salvage.
Wreck Location & Condition
- Location: Reefs near Pilot Island, Lake Michigan (Death’s Door region between Wisconsin and Michigan)
- Wreck Condition: The vessel became embedded on 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
Archival Documentation
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks Database – Provides build info, loss details, and liability status (wisconsinshipwrecks.org, en.wikipedia.org, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Shipyard Records from Manitowoc (1862–1872) – Logs production and specifications
- Insurance ledgers – Note policy increases and salvage coordination
- Van Nostrand & Son salvage reports (1873) – Detail coal recovery efforts
Conclusions & Research Notes
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. Her registry surrender in late 1872 confirms the final legal closure of her service life.
Recommended Follow-Up
- Access Van Nostrand salvage records and Milwaukee marine insurance policies from 1872
- Analyze lighthouse keeper logs and meteorological data from Pilot Island during September 1872
- Conduct a sonar-based survey of the reef zone for possible buried remains
- Examine local newspaper coverage—especially in Milwaukee Sentinel and Green Bay Gazette—from autumn 1872 for incident descriptions