Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Maria
- Type: Wooden scow-schooner
- Year Built: 1878
- Builder: Milwaukee
- Dimensions: ~34 × 12 × 4 ft; 9 gross tons, 8 net tons
- Registered Tonnage: 9 gross tons, 8 net tons
- Location: Near Two Rivers, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 91096
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Maria was classified as a wooden scow-schooner, a type of vessel characterized by its flat bottom and shallow draft, making it suitable for navigating shallow waters.
Description
Constructed in 1878 in Milwaukee, the Maria measured approximately 34 feet in length, 12 feet in beam, and 4 feet in depth. It had a registered tonnage of 9 gross tons and 8 net tons, indicating its capacity for cargo.
History
The Maria was primarily used for transporting goods, including railroad ties made of hemlock lumber. Its operational history includes various voyages across Lake Michigan until its loss in November 1895.
Significant Incidents
- Weather During Loss: The vessel experienced a severe storm, which caused it to begin leaking heavily.
- Cargo: At the time of its sinking, the Maria was carrying railroad ties made of hemlock lumber.
- Evacuation: The crew of six was rescued by local fishermen, and all survived the incident.
- Aftermath: After the crew’s evacuation, the vessel drifted ashore near Two Rivers, Wisconsin, where it broke up in the surf and was deemed a total loss.
Final Disposition
The Maria was abandoned after the crew’s evacuation and subsequently washed ashore, where it broke apart. The wreck is considered a total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck site is unknown, and further investigation may be needed to assess its archaeological potential.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”maria-us-91096″ title=”References & Links”]
The story of the Maria serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes, particularly during severe weather conditions. The wreck remains a point of interest for divers and historians alike.
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.
(Scow‑schooner, Official No. 91096; built 1878, sank November 1895)
Identification & Vessel Details
- Official Number: 91096
- Type: Wooden scow‑schooner
- Built: 1878, Milwaukee
- Dimensions: ~34 × 12 × 4 ft; 9 gross tons, 8 net tons
- Loss Date: November 1895
- Location: Near Two Rivers, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Canadian Geographic)
Incident Overview
- Weather During Loss: Experienced a severe storm; began to leak heavily
- Cargo: Railroad ties (hemlock lumber)
- Evacuation: Crew rescued by local fishermen—all 6 survived
- Aftermath: Vessel drifted and blew ashore near Two Rivers, where she broke up in surf—deemed a total loss
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary
The Maria was a small wooden scow-schooner, built in Milwaukee in 1878. In November 1895, while carrying railroad ties and caught in a storm on Lake Michigan near Two Rivers, WI, she sustained severe leaks. The crew was safely evacuated by fishermen, and the abandoned vessel drifted ashore, breaking up and becoming a total loss.
Further Investigation Opportunities
| Research Focus | Reason | Suggested Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Exact storm dates & weather | To document meteorological context | Local newspaper archives (Nov 1895) |
| Ownership and service record | To trace vessel’s full history | HCGL enrollment & ship registry |
| Rescue operation accounts | Provides human and operational detail | Local newspapers, fishermen’s logs |
| Wreck site condition | To evaluate archaeological potential | Wisconsin Historical Society archives |