Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Plover (1857)

Explore the wreck of the Plover, a wooden schooner lost in a storm on Lake Superior in 1871, with all crew members surviving the incident.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Plover
  • Type: Schooner
  • Year Built: 1857
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions: Specific hull dimensions and tonnage unknown
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Location: Near Superior, Lake Superior
  • Original Owners: Unknown; presumed Great Lakes-based owner, possibly Duluth or Buffalo interests

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Identification & Profile

  • Name: Plover
  • Year Built: 1857
  • Vessel Type: Schooner
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Decks: 1

Description

Final Disposition

  • Date of Loss: 12 October 1871
  • Location: Near Superior, Lake Superior
  • Cause: Stranded and broken apart in a storm
  • Cargo: Grain
  • Crew: Initially believed lost; later confirmed safe

History

Operational History

  • Functioned as a grain-carrying lake schooner, active in the Lake Superior to Lake Erie grain trade

Significant Incidents

Incident Notes

  • The Plover was en route from Duluth to Buffalo, fully laden with grain
  • Stranded during a severe storm and was destroyed
  • Initial news reported the crew as lost; later reporting confirmed all crew survived and reached safety

Final Disposition

Historical Context & Significance: The loss of the Plover highlights the navigational hazards of early grain transport on Lake Superior, especially during fall storms. Her demise, though overshadowed by the crew’s fortunate survival, marks a notable incident in the risks faced by wooden schooners of the pre-steel era.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Current Condition & Accessibility: The wreck site is located in Lake Superior, near Superior, Wisconsin. Accessibility may vary based on weather conditions and local regulations.

Resources & Links

Keywords and Categories: Region: Lake Superior, near Duluth/Superior; Vessel Type: Schooner; Cause of Loss: Storm, stranding; Cargo: Grain; Material: Wood; Period: 1857–1871; Survivors: All crew survived.