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.
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