Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Persia
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1855
- Builder: D. Barrett
- Dimensions: Length 95.5 ft (~29.1 m); Beam 21 ft (6.4 m); Depth of hold 6.8 ft (2.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 96.69 GT
- Location: Eight miles north of Racine, WI
- Coordinates: N 42° 48.468′, W 87° 47.172′
- Official Number: 19672
- Original Owners: J.S. Reed, Lieppe
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
- A two-masted wooden schooner, rigged fore-and-aft, powered by sail; intended for lumber trade along the Great Lakes.
Description
Constructed of timber planking on wooden frames, rated A1 by 1863 insurance boards, downgraded to B2 by 1874. Total registered tonnage 96.69 GT after remeasurement in 1865. Typical schooner rig with two masts, suited for hauling lumber in relatively protected coastal routes.
History
Initially owned by J.S. Reed of Chicago, later by Lieppe, Chicago. Valued at $4,000 in 1863 and $3,000 in 1874. Carried uninsured lumber, through Kelly, Weeks & Co. of Chicago. No recorded loss of life: Captain Sam Martin and two crew escaped in the yawl when the vessel failed.
Significant Incidents
- On 2 June 1892, Persia sprang a leak and became waterlogged. She anchored offshore, dragged anchor, and stranded approximately eight miles north of Racine. Crew abandoned vessel, which rapidly broke apart, scattering uninsured lumber that was scavenged locally.
Final Disposition
The vessel was valued at $1,000; cargo at $1,000; neither insured. USLSS reports (6 June) indicate vessel was dismantled and rigging recovered to Racine harbor for the master.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck’s remains were found in the early 1990s by Bob Jaeck, searching documented loss accounts and sonar/historical mapping off Racine’s coast. Remaining structure lies submerged just offshore in shallow water; condition consistent with breakup on beach and partial preservation at site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”persia-us-19672″ title=”References & Links”]
The schooner Persia represents a modest but informative example of mid-19th century lumber schooners operating out of Chicago. Her short career, minimal tonnage, and eventual uninsured loss reflect economic fragility of smaller wooden trading vessels. The intact escape of all aboard and preservation of beach debris help confirm the circumstances shortly after loss. The site located by Jaeck in the 1990s contributes to documented wreck counts off Racine and illustrates coastal emergency strandings rather than deep-water sinkings. Persia holds limited archaeological value beyond mapping early timber vessel patterns, and her dispersed remains present minimal dive interest—but historically she fills economic gaps in Great Lakes lumber-trading records.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Built by D. Barrett at Chicago, IL in 1855 (or 1855–56); registry number 19672 (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
- Last measured in 1865 at 96.69 gross tons; beam 21 ft (6.4 m); depth of hold 6.8 ft (2.1 m); length 95.5 ft (~29.1 m) (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
- Located on Lake Michigan eight miles north of the US Lifesaving Station at Racine, county Racine, WI; coordinates N 42° 48.468′, W 87° 47.172′ (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
Vessel Type
- A two‑masted wooden schooner, rigged fore‑and‑aft, powered by sail; intended for lumber trade along the Great Lakes (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
Description
Constructed of timber planking on wooden frames, rated A1 by 1863 insurance boards, downgraded to B2 by 1874. Total registered tonnage 96.69 GT after remeasurement in 1865. Typical schooner rig with two masts, suited for hauling lumber in relatively protected coastal routes (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
History
Initially owned by J.S. Reed of Chicago, later by Lieppe, Chicago. Valued at $4,000 in 1863 and $3,000 in 1874. Carried uninsured lumber, through Kelly, Weeks & Co. of Chicago (wisconsinshipwrecks.org). No recorded loss of life: Captain Sam Martin and two crew escaped in the yawl when the vessel failed (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
Final Disposition
On 2 June 1892 Persia sprang a leak and became waterlogged. She anchored offshore, dragged anchor, and stranded approximately eight miles north of Racine. Crew abandoned vessel, which rapidly broke apart, scattering uninsured lumber that was scavenged locally. Vessel valued at $1,000; cargo at $1,000; neither insured. USLSS reports (6 June) indicate vessel was dismantled and rigging recovered to Racine harbor for the master (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
Located By & Date Found
The wreck’s remains were found in the early 1990s by Bob Jaeck, searching documented loss accounts and sonar/historical mapping off Racine’s coast (wisconsinshipwrecks.org). Remaining structure lies submerged just offshore in shallow water; condition consistent with breakup on beach and partial preservation at site.
Notmars & Advisories
No modern Notices to Mariners recorded; wreck debris formed washed-up lumber hazards at time of loss. Post-loss site considered stabilized through natural dispersal; no official marine advisories issued subsequently (“none noted”).
Resources & Links
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks database entry with full technical record (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Wisconsin Underwater Archaeology Association / Bob Jaeck research notes on locating Persia (herenovi.com)
- Archival USLSS June 1892 loss report from Racine station (referenced in primary wreck summaries)
- Regional historical newspapers: Racine Evening Times, 2 June 1892 issue
Shore Dive Information (not applicable)
Site is in very shallow coastal water with broken debris—inaccessible as a recreational dive site. Only remnants of lumber and scant structure likely remain; dissociation from any standing wreck prohibits typical dive operations.
Conclusion
The schooner Persia represents a modest but informative example of mid‑19th century lumber schooners operating out of Chicago. Her short career, minimal tonnage, and eventual uninsured loss reflect economic fragility of smaller wooden trading vessels. The intact escape of all aboard and preservation of beach debris help confirm the circumstances shortly after loss. The site located by Jaeck in the 1990s contributes to documented wreck counts off Racine and illustrates coastal emergency strandings rather than deep‑water sinkings. Persia holds limited archaeological value beyond mapping early timber vessel patterns, and her dispersed remains present minimal dive interest—but historically she fills economic gaps in Great Lakes lumber-trading records.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
Region: Lake Michigan–Racine, WI | Vessel type: Two‑masted schooner | Cargo: Lumber unloaded | Cause of loss: Leak → strand → structural breakup | Material: Wood | Period: 1855 –1892 | Dive difficulty: N/A | Hazards: Scattered wreckage debris.
Research Suggestions to Fill Gaps
- Investigate Racine customs house and USLSS archives for formal wreck reports and salvage documentation.
- Review Racine Evening Times and Milwaukee Sentinel June 1892 editions for casualty/crew names and loss narrative.
- Examine Board of Lake Underwriters valuation rolls (1863, 1874) for Persia registry details.
- Consult Chicago shipping registry ledgers and Great Lakes vessel manifests for boarding party logs or crew names.
- Query Lloyd’s or similar for any underwriter correspondence or registry transfers.