Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Naomi
- Type: Iron-hulled, propeller-driven package steamer
- Year Built: 1881
- Builder: Detroit Dry Dock Co., Wyandotte, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: unknown
- Location: Mid-lake, Lake Michigan near Kenosha/Wisconsin area
- Coordinates: unknown
- Official Number: 80861
- Original Owners: Goodrich Transit Co., Crosby Line, various later owners
- Number of Masts: unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Iron-hulled, propeller-driven package steamer originally built for Goodrich Transit Co.
Description
Description
The Naomi, launched as Wisconsin in 1881, was a notable vessel in the Great Lakes shipping industry. It underwent several name changes and served various roles, including as a WWI hospital ship.
History
History
Launched in 1881, the vessel was sold and renamed Naomi in 1886. After a catastrophic fire in 1907, it was towed for repairs and later served under different names.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- Fire incident on May 21, 1907, likely in the freight hold, resulting in a dramatic conflagration.
- Rescue of crew by the bulk freighter Curry.
- Four crew members perished in the blaze; the rest escaped.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
After the fire, the Naomi was towed to Manitowoc for repairs and continued to serve in various capacities until its eventual retirement.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Naomi is located in Lake Michigan, with dive conditions varying based on weather and water clarity.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”naomi-us-80861″ title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion
The story of the Naomi highlights the risks associated with maritime transport and the resilience of Great Lakes shipping. Its legacy continues to be a point of interest for maritime historians and divers 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.
Identification & Vessel Details
- Name: Naomi (formerly launched as Wisconsin in 1881)
- Official Number: 80861
- Type: Iron-hulled, propeller-driven package steamer (originally built for Goodrich Transit Co.)
- Built: October 11, 1881 at Detroit Dry Dock Co., Wyandotte, Michigan (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Service History & Conversion
- 1881: Launched as Wisconsin for Goodrich Line.
- 1886: Sold and renamed Naomi by the Crosby Line (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
- Post-1907: After the fire incident, she was towed to Manitowoc, Wisconsin for a full rebuild.
- Later Life: Renamed back to Wisconsin, and eventually served under different names—E.G. Crosby, General Robert O’Reilly, Pilgrim—even functioning as a WWI hospital ship (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
Final Voyage & Catastrophic Fire
- Date: Night of May 21, 1907
- Location: Mid‑lake, Lake Michigan near Kenosha/Wisconsin area (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Incident: A fire erupted onboard Naomi—likely in the freight hold—producing a dramatic conflagration visible at night (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
- Rescue: The bulk freighter Curry (and later additional vessels) rescued her crew before towing the still-burning hull to Manitowoc for repairs (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
- Survivors: Four crew members perished in the blaze; the rest escaped (greatlakesvesselhistory.com, historyinyourownbackyard.com).
Archival Sources & Citations
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks archive confirms build date, registry number, fire incident, location, and survivors (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Historical narratives from Kenosha Historical Society corroborate rescue by the bulk freighter and the night-time spectacle of the fire (historyinyourownbackyard.com)
- SS Wisconsin (later Naomi) history records her reconstruction after the fire (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Multiple web historical accounts describe the vessel’s tumultuous 1907 fire and rescue (shipwreckexplorers.com)
Archival Gaps & Research Opportunities
| Area | Research Approach |
|---|---|
| Exact fire cause | Review crew and engineer accounts, possibly in Manitowoc Herald-Times or Kenosha News archives (May 1907) |
| Crew list & casualties | Consult U.S. Steamboat Inspection Service records for crew names and casualty reports |
| Photos of the blaze | Seek period marine photographs or postcards from maritime museums in Kenosha or Manitowoc |
| Rebuilding specifics | Investigate Manitowoc shipyard logs for rebuild documentation and specifications |
| Later career tracking | Document name changes and service roles through vessel registry from 1907–1929 |
Significance & Conclusions
The Naomi‘s fiery ordeal on May 21, 1907, was a high-profile maritime incident that vividly demonstrated both the risks of wooden-stored cargo and the resilience of Great Lakes shipping infrastructure. Despite sustaining heavy damage and crew losses, the vessel was restored and enjoyed continued service into the early 20th century. This makes her story a valuable case study in marine disaster, rescue, reconstruction, and vessel repurposing during the era.
- Archival newspaper searches (Kenosha/Manitowoc) for first-person accounts and fire investigations?
- Dive into U.S. Inspection Service casualty and crew documentation?
- Contact regional historical societies for photos or shipyard rebuild records?