Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Northerner
- Type: Two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1850
- Builder: John Oades shipyard, Clayton, New York
- Dimensions: Length: ~81 ft (24.7 m); Beam: ~18.6 ft (~5.7 m); Depth of hold: ~7.6 ft (~2.3 m)
- Registered Tonnage: ~77.3 gross tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 40 m / 130 ft
- Location: Lake Michigan, approximately 5 miles SE of Port Washington (off Port Ulao)
- Official Number: 18176
- Original Owners: Original owners: John Oades, Henry Oades, and John Gould; later owners included Henry T. Bacon, Anders Ryerson, and Nicholas Ronk.
- Number of Masts: Two masts; mainmast remains (~75 ft above deck), missing stern mast (recovered for museum)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Two-masted lakeshoring schooner designed for shallow draft.
Description
The Northerner was a wooden-hulled, sail-powered vessel with two masts and a schooner rig. It was built for lakeshoring operations, characterized by its shallow draft.
History
Originally owned by John Oades, Henry Oades, and John Gould in 1850, the vessel was transferred to Henry T. Bacon and others in 1852. By 1863, it was sold to Chicago-based interests, with Anders Ryerson and Nicholas Ronk becoming co-owners in 1865.
Significant Incidents
- While loading cordwood at Amsterdam Pier, the Northerner struck bottom and sustained hull damage.
- The deck load was discharged at Port Washington to lighten the hull.
- Towed by the propeller Cuyahoga toward Milwaukee, the vessel capsized off Port Ulao; the crew was rescued, but the cargo remained in the hold.
Final Disposition
The Northerner sank on November 29, 1868, and is now located upright and largely intact at a depth of approximately 130 ft in Lake Michigan.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is upright and largely intact, with notable features including the mainmast, windlass, anchor chain, centerboard winch, bowsprit, and a recognizable scroll figurehead. The hull fill of cordwood is still visible inside.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”northerner-us-18176″ title=”References & Links”]
The Northerner serves as an important archaeological site, providing insights into mid-19th century lakeshoring practices and is part of the Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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