Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Melrose
- Type: Wooden sailing schooner
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Near Sheboygan, Wisconsin
- Original Owners: Likely owned by J. B. Scott of Detroit
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
(schooner)
Description
The Melrose was a typical bulk-cargo schooner designed for transporting salt, grain, or lumber between Great Lakes ports. She was particularly vulnerable to late-season storms, making her journey across Lake Michigan perilous.
History
Built as a wooden sailing schooner, the Melrose was primarily used for bulk cargo transport. On her final voyage, she was upbound from Bay City, Michigan to Chicago, carrying 3,000 barrels of salt. The vessel had undergone rebuilds in 1859 and 1869, indicating a history of use and refurbishment.
Significant Incidents
- Struck by a severe storm while crossing Lake Michigan near Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
- Driven over a sandbar and onto a rocky section, which stove in her bottom.
- Declared a total wreck by October 5, 1874; only part of her rigging was salvageable.
- No lives were lost in the incident.
Final Disposition
The Melrose was classified as a total loss shortly after the wreck. The crew was rescued, and Captain Brown was reassigned to another vessel, the William Sanderson, which sank the following month, resulting in his death.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, but it is classified as a confirmed wreck site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”melrose” title=”References & Links”]
The Melrose was a salt-laden schooner bound for Chicago when she wrecked in a late-season storm near Sheboygan. With her bottom holed on a rocky barge and her hull broken beyond repair, she became a total loss by October 5, 1874. The crew survived, but Captain Brown’s subsequent assignment ended tragically. Her loss underscores the hazards faced by bulk-carriers in turbulent Great Lakes weather, especially during fall crossings.
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.
(schooner)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Type: Wooden sailing schooner
- Loss Period: Early October, 1874
- Route & Cargo: Upbound from Bay City, Michigan to Chicago, carrying 3,000 barrels of salt taken on at Bay City (wuaa.org, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Owner & Master: Likely owned by J. B. Scott of Detroit; Captain John C. Brown commanded at the time (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Storm & Wreck Details
- Struck by a severe storm while crossing Lake Michigan near Sheboygan, Wisconsin.
- Melrose was driven over a sandbar and onto a rocky section, which stove in her bottom. By October 5, she was classified as a total wreck; only part of her rigging was salvageable (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- Thankfully, no lives were lost in the incident (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, wuaa.org).
Vessel Role & Context
- A typical bulk-cargo schooner, designed for salt, grain, or lumber transport between Great Lakes ports.
- Dependent on sail and vulnerable in late-season storms—salt, being nonperishable, was common bulk cargo.
Aftermath & Crew
- Crew rescued; Captain Brown was reassigned to another vessel, William Sanderson, which unfortunately sank the following month, resulting in his death (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia).
- The Melrose had previously undergone rebuilds in 1859 and 1869, indicating she was a well-used and refurbished craft (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Research Gaps & Next Steps
| Area to Explore | Suggested Source |
|---|---|
| Salvage/insurance records | Detroit or Bay City underwriters |
| Survivor & captain reports | Sheboygan Press, Detroit Free Press (Oct 1874) |
| Vessel specs & ownership | Great Lakes enrollment ledgers |
| Captain Brown’s history | Following the William Sanderson incident in 1875 |
Summary
The Melrose was a salt-laden schooner bound for Chicago when she wrecked in a late-season storm near Sheboygan. With her bottom holed on a rocky barge and her hull broken beyond repair, she became a total loss by October 5, 1874. The crew survived, but Captain Brown’s subsequent assignment ended tragically. Her loss underscores the hazards faced by bulk-carriers in turbulent Great Lakes weather, especially during fall crossings.
melrose 1874-10-23 01:37:00