Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Otter
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1863
- Builder: James W. Scott
- Dimensions: 105 × 26 × 12 ft; Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 205 gross tons, 195 net tons
- Location: ~12 miles north of Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 19125
- Original Owners: David Gallagher et al., Marine City, Michigan; later registered to John Caesar of Chicago
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Otter was a two-masted wooden schooner designed for coastal trade, characterized by its flat-bottom hull.
Description
Built in 1863 by James W. Scott, the Otter measured approximately 105 feet in length and was registered at 205 gross tons. It was primarily used for transporting lumber and cordwood across the Great Lakes.
History
The Otter was a common sight on Lake Michigan, particularly noted for its role in the lumber trade during the mid-to-late 19th century. Its final voyage began with a load of 130 cords of cordwood, departing from Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, bound for Chicago.
Significant Incidents
- Grounding Incident: On October 10, 1895, the Otter encountered strong easterly gusts as it left Sturgeon Bay, leading to its grounding approximately 12 miles north of the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal.
- Rescue: All six crew members were safely rescued using a breeches buoy deployed by the Sturgeon Bay U.S. Life-Saving Service.
- Casualties: There were no casualties among the crew during the incident.
Final Disposition
After the grounding, the Otter was subjected to increasingly severe waves that ultimately destroyed the vessel beyond salvage. The enrollment of the vessel was surrendered in Chicago on October 19, 1895.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Otter is considered destroyed, with potential remnants lying in shallow waters approximately 300 feet from the shore. Further archaeological exploration may be warranted to locate any remaining artifacts.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”otter-us-19125″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Otter serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by mariners navigating the Great Lakes, particularly during the tumultuous fall storms. Its rescue operation highlights the early efforts of the U.S. Life-Saving Service.
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.
(Wooden Schooner, built 1863; lost October 10, 1895)
Vessel Identity & Construction
- Built: 1863 by James W. Scott — as recorded at Newport, Michigan (also cited as Freeport, OH)
- Official Registry No.: 19125
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner (flat-bottom, coastal trade)
- Dimensions & Capacity: Approximately 105 × 26 × 12 ft; 205 gross tons, 195 net tons
- Fleet Details: Operated by owners David Gallagher et al., Marine City, Michigan; later registered to John Caesar of Chicago
(Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Grounding Incident (October 10, 1895)
- Route & Cargo: Laden with 130 cords of cordwood, bound from Whitefish Bay (Door County, WI) to Chicago
- Weather & Sea Conditions: Encountered strong easterly gusts around Sturgeon Bay as she left port
- Grounding Location: Stranded roughly 12 miles north of the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, approximately 300 feet offshore in Lake Michigan
- Aftermath: Waves waxed in ferocity, eventually ripping her to pieces—wrecked beyond salvage
- Crew Rescue: All crew (6 men) escaped into the rigging; aerial rescue via breeches buoy deployed by the Sturgeon Bay U.S. Life-Saving Service
- Casualties: None — crew safely rescued by this method
(Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary Table
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Built: | 1863, Newport, MI |
| Type: | Two-masted schooner |
| Gross Tonnage: | 205 GRT |
| Loss Date: | October 10, 1895 |
| Cargo: | Cordwood |
| Location: | ~12 mi north of Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal, Lake Michigan |
| Cause: | Grounding by gale, disabled, then stranded offshore |
| Rescue: | Breeches buoy, U.S. Life‑Saving Service |
| Crew Fatalities: | None |
Historical & Maritime Context
The schooner Otter was a common lumber hauler on Lake Michigan during the mid-to-late 19th century. Her loss in October 1895 typifies the perils of fall storm navigation off Door County. The dramatic breeches buoy rescue marks her as a notable example of early Lifesaving Service efforts. By late 1895, efforts to recover cargo or hull failed, and her enrollment was surrendered at Chicago on October 19, 1895.
(Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Further Investigation Opportunities
- Newspaper Archive Research (Oct 1895):
- Door County Advocate, Green Bay Gazette, Chicago Inter-Ocean, Milwaukee Sentinel may include rescue narratives, storm descriptions, or captain quotes.
- Lifesaving Service Logs:
- May detail rescue operations, timing, weather conditions, and crew treatment post-rescue.
- Hydrographic Chart Analysis:
- Late-19th-century charts could help pinpoint grounding location and document related shoal hazards.
- Archaeological Exploration:
- Though considered destroyed, offshore remnants may rest in shallow water ~300 ft from shore—potential candidate for side-scan sonar or shorewalk surveys.
- Retrieve October 1895 newspaper articles for rescue descriptions or eyewitness accounts?
- Access U.S. Life‑Saving Service documentation for official rescue records?
- Pull 19th-century hydrographic charts of the Sturgeon Bay area for historical mapping?
- Check for archaeological or heritage survey records near the wreck site?