Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Nellie Hammond
• Type: Wooden schooner
• Year Built: 1877
• Builder: DePere, Wisconsin
• Dimensions: 69 ft x 17 ft x 6 ft (21 m x 5.2 m x 1.8 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 48 gross tons, 45 net tons
• Location: Near the mouth of White Lake, 10 miles north of Muskegon, Michigan
• Official Number: 130124

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Nellie Hammond was a small wooden schooner, a type of vessel commonly used for transporting goods across the Great Lakes.

Description

The Nellie Hammond was built in 1877 in DePere, Wisconsin. Like many vessels of its kind, she was used primarily for transporting lumber and other materials across Lake Michigan. Due to her size, she was engaged in short-haul trade, moving goods between ports in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan.

History

The Nellie Hammond had multiple mishaps before her final loss:

• April 4, 1888: She sank off Racine, Wisconsin, but was salvaged and returned to service.
• October 28, 1892: She struck the breakwater at Muskegon during a gale, resulting in the loss of one crew member.

Despite these incidents, she continued to operate until her final voyage in 1897.

Significant Incidents

• April 4, 1888: Sank off Racine, Wisconsin, salvaged and returned to service.
• October 28, 1892: Struck the breakwater at Muskegon during a gale, resulting in the loss of one crew member.

Final Disposition

On October 8, 1897, the Nellie Hammond foundered near the mouth of White Lake, about 10 miles north of Muskegon, Michigan. Caught in a violent storm, she sank just offshore. The loss of life is unclear, but given the hazardous conditions, it is possible that casualties occurred.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck site of the Nellie Hammond remains undocumented, and no current condition reports are available.

Resources & Links

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The Nellie Hammond is a classic example of a small working schooner on the Great Lakes, a type of vessel that was once commonplace but is now largely forgotten. Her history reflects the dangers faced by 19th-century mariners, particularly those involved in the hazardous lumber trade.