Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Northwest US 18102

Explore the wreck of the NORTHWEST, a 19th-century schooner lost in a collision on Lake Michigan. A dive site of historical significance awaits discovery.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: NORTHWEST
  • Type: Schooner (formerly Barkentine)
  • Year Built: 1862
  • Builder: Peck & Masters, Cleveland, Ohio
  • Dimensions: 167.65 ft (51.1 m) X 31.00 ft (9.45 m); Depth of hold: 12.70 ft (3.87 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 458.54 tons
  • Location: Approximately 12 miles off Kenosha, Lake Michigan
  • Coordinates: N 42° 33.776' / W 087° 34.668'
  • Official Number: 18102
  • Original Owners: Capt. W.M. Egan & Capt. Cal Carr, Chicago
  • Number of Masts: 3

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The NORTHWEST was a wooden barkentine that was later converted to a three-masted schooner.

Description

Constructed of wood, the NORTHWEST was originally rigged as a barkentine before being converted to a schooner in 1873. It measured 167.65 feet in length, 31.00 feet in beam, and had a depth of hold of 12.70 feet. The vessel had a gross tonnage of 458.54 tons and was propelled by sail.

History

The NORTHWEST was a well-known and fast Great Lakes freighter that primarily served in the grain and bulk goods trade. Launched in May 1862, it had an initial valuation of $19,000. Throughout its service, it experienced several incidents, including groundings and collisions, reflecting the challenges of navigation in busy shipping lanes.

  • 1865: Grounded at Cheboygan Point, Straits of Mackinac.
  • 1866: Grounded at Peach Island, Lake St. Clair.
  • 1870: Collision with barque P.C. Sherman on Lake Erie.
  • 1871: Collisions with schooner Fame (July) and schooner Hackley (October).
  • 1872: Aground during a snowstorm at Port Hope, Lake Huron.
  • 1873: Repaired and converted to a three-masted schooner.
  • 1874–1876: Registered as a schooner; experienced leaking issues.

Significant Incidents

The final voyage of the NORTHWEST occurred on October 24, 1876, when it was en route from Chicago to Buffalo carrying approximately 29,000–30,000 bushels of corn. The vessel collided with the schooner F.L. DANFORTH around 4:00 AM, approximately 12 miles off Kenosha. The impact caused a fatal breach in the hull, leading to the sinking of the NORTHWEST within 15 minutes. Fortunately, there were no casualties, as the crew was rescued by the DANFORTH. The insurance for the vessel was approximately $14,500, and legal action followed the incident.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the NORTHWEST is presumed intact but has not yet been located. It is reported to be approximately 12 miles offshore, at a depth too great for any spars to have remained visible. No salvage operations have been documented, and the cargo and hull were never recovered.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As of now, the NORTHWEST remains undiscovered, with diver access limited due to the presumed deep water (greater than 165 ft / 50 m). If located, it would require technical diving skills to explore.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The NORTHWEST serves as a significant historical artifact of the bulk grain trade on the Great Lakes during the post-Civil War era. Its eventual discovery could provide valuable insights into 19th-century schooner construction and cargo handling practices.