Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Pewaukee (Two Friends)
- Type: Wooden schooner (later steam barge, then tow barge)
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: Lemuel McDermond, Port Burwell, Ontario
- Dimensions: 134 ft × 25.5 ft × 12.5 ft (40.8 m × 7.8 m × 3.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 362.2 gross tons
- Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
- Coordinates: Part of Leathem & Smith quarry breakwater
- Official Number: 71279 (Canada); 150233 (U.S.)
- Original Owners: Suffel et al (1873); Acheson & Co. (1880); Wolf & Davidson (1881); Leathem & Smith (1907)
- Number of Masts: Three-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Originally built as a three-masted wooden schooner, *Two Friends* underwent several conversions throughout her service life, including a transformation into a steam-powered vessel and later an unrigged tow barge.
Description
Built in 1873 by Lemuel McDermond of Port Burwell, Ontario, *Two Friends* was a three-masted wooden schooner of 362.2 gross tons, rigged as a bark. She was later converted into a steam-powered schooner (steambarge), then into an unrigged tow barge. Her career spanned four decades, with repeated rebuilds and conversions typical of the Great Lakes bulk carrier trade.
History
Initially owned by George Suffel of Vienna, Ontario, *Two Friends* was later sold to Acheson & Co. of Goderich. On 16 October 1880, she was caught in the infamous “Alpena Gale” and driven ashore at North Bay, Door County, Wisconsin. Her crew survived after a dramatic rescue by fisherman James Larson of Sister Bay, who received a gold medal for bravery from the U.S. Life-Saving Service.
Although declared a total loss, the wreck was salvaged in 1881 by the tug *Leviathan* of Wolf & Davidson Wrecking Company. Extensively rebuilt at Milwaukee, she was re-registered as *Pewaukee* and placed into the ore and stone trade. In 1888 she was converted to steam, and in 1897 she was stripped to serve as a barge. By 1907, her machinery had been removed.
Significant Incidents
- 16 October 1880: Caught in the “Alpena Gale” and driven ashore at North Bay, Wisconsin; crew rescued by James Larson.
- 10 October 1907: *Pewaukee* burned at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.
Final Disposition
On 10 October 1907, *Pewaukee* burned at Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. In 1913, her remains were raised and incorporated into the Leathem & Smith quarry breakwater at Sturgeon Bay. Portions of her structure remain visible during low water, making her one of several vessels preserved in Wisconsin’s shoreline infrastructure.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Remains are integrated into the breakwater at Sturgeon Bay. Portions of hull timbers and frames are visible in shallow water under certain conditions. No formal 3D photogrammetry or NOAA VR model located.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”pewaukee-two-friends-us-71279″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
As a diver, remember to respect the site and its history. Observe the remains of *Pewaukee* without disturbing them, and consider participating in local clean-up efforts to leave the site better than you found it.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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