Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Newsboy
- Type: Wooden three-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1862
- Builder: Stephen R. Kirby
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: South Fisherman’s Shoal, Lake Michigan
- Original Owners: Tremble & Patterson
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Originally built as a barkentine but later re-rigged to a three-masted schooner, the Newsboy was suited for long-haul bulk cargoes such as grain and corn. Her stout wooden hull made her a reliable workhorse on the Great Lakes.
Description
The Newsboy was involved in multiple incidents over her career, including collisions and groundings. By 1891, she was carrying a large cargo of corn when she was caught in a northwest gale, leading to her grounding on South Fisherman’s Shoal.
History
Constructed in 1862, the Newsboy had a varied service history:
- November 1862: Collision with schooner White Cloud near Manitowoc
- May 1866: Struck by steamer Michigan near Buffalo
- November 1867: Aground at Port Austin, Lake Huron
- August 1869: Converted from barkentine to schooner
- April 1871: Collision with schooner City of Painsdale at Chicago
By 1891, ownership had passed to Tremble & Patterson of Chicago, and she was captained by William Patterson. The storm that led to her grounding occurred on November 17, 1891.
Significant Incidents
- No casualties reported during the grounding.
- The Newsboy broke apart within approximately two hours of grounding.
- Rescue efforts involved the tug Monarch and local lifesavers.
Final Disposition
The Newsboy was declared a total loss as her hull quickly disintegrated from storm and wave action. Salvageable cargo and fittings were removed during and after the wreck event.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck was witnessed as it happened, with parts and gear removed by local crews. No underwater coordinates exist; the site is likely fully broken down and unrecognizable today.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”newsboy-18620″ title=”References & Links”]
No modern navigational advisories reference this wreck.
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.
Newsboy (Built 1862 – Wrecked November 17, 1891)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Newsboy (also spelled News-boy)
- Vessel Type: Wooden three-masted schooner (built as a barkentine, later rigged as a schooner)
- Year Built: 1862 at Saginaw, Michigan by Stephen R. Kirby (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Cargo at Loss: Approximately 54,000 bushels of corn
- Date of Loss: November 17, 1891
- Location: Driven ashore on South Fisherman’s Shoal, Lake Michigan, by a northwest gale (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Casualties: None reported
- Disposition: Broke up within approximately two hours of grounding; crew rescued along with two lifesavers after stranded ashore (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Vessel Type Description
Originally built as a barkentine but later re-rigged to a three-masted schooner, the Newsboy was suited for long-haul bulk cargoes such as grain and corn. Her stout wooden hull made her a reliable workhorse on the Great Lakes. (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
History
Constructed in 1862, the Newsboy was involved in multiple incidents over her career:
- November 1862: Collision with schooner White Cloud near Manitowoc
- May 1866: Struck by steamer Michigan near Buffalo
- November 1867: Aground at Port Austin, Lake Huron
- August 1869: Converted from barkentine to schooner
- April 1871: Collision with schooner City of Painsdale at Chicago (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
By 1891, ownership had passed to Tremble & Patterson of Chicago, and she was captained by William Patterson. That November, while carrying a large cargo of corn, she was caught in a northwest gale. The storm drove her ashore onto South Fisherman’s Shoal. Crew remained aboard until rescued by the tug Monarch on November 19. Two local lifesavers also became stranded during rescue efforts. The Newsboy broke apart within two hours of grounding. (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Final Disposition
The Newsboy was declared a total loss—her hull quickly disintegrated from storm and wave action. Salvageable cargo and fittings were removed during and after the wreck event.
Located By & Date Found
Wreck was witnessed as it happened, with parts and gear removed by local crews. No underwater coordinates exist; site likely fully broken down and unrecognizable today.
Notmars & Advisories
No modern navigational advisories reference this wreck.
Resources & Links
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks – details on construction and incident history (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – account of final grounding, rescue, and loss (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)