Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Polynesia
- Type: wooden three-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1885
- Builder: J. Davidson, West Bay City, Michigan
- Dimensions: 204 ft × 37 ft × 16 ft; 979 GRT / 940 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 979 GRT / 940 NRT
- Depth at Wreck Site: 100.58 m / 330 ft
- Location: Approximately 20 nautical miles east of Sheboygan, WI
- Official Number: 150347
- Original Owners: James Corrigan & Huntington
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Polynesia was a wooden three-masted schooner, primarily used for transporting coal across the Great Lakes.
Description
Built in 1885 by J. Davidson in West Bay City, Michigan, the Polynesia was part of the Corrigan-Huntington fleet. It measured 204 feet in length, 37 feet in beam, and had a hold depth of 16 feet. The vessel was registered with an official number of 150347 and had a gross registered tonnage of 979 and a net registered tonnage of 940.
History
Originally constructed in 1885, the Polynesia was acquired by James Corrigan & Huntington in 1886, operating mainly in coal transport between Buffalo and Chicago. The vessel was towed by the steamer Raleigh during its final voyage.
Significant Incidents
- October 15, 1887: Departed Buffalo in tow of Raleigh, bound for South Chicago.
- October 23, 1887: Encountered a violent storm off Sheboygan, WI, leading to loss of sail and water ingress.
- October 24, 1887, 11 AM: Capt. Kerr ordered abandonment as the vessel sank in approximately 330 feet of water; crew was rescued by Raleigh.
- Casualties: None reported.
Final Disposition
The Polynesia sank approximately 20 nautical miles east of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, in deep water. The estimated value at the time of loss was $58,000. No significant salvage operations were attempted, and the wreck remains undisturbed in cold water.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Polynesia lies at a depth of about 330 feet, likely well-preserved due to the cold water conditions. It presents potential for future remote-operated vehicle (ROV) documentation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”polynesia-us-150347″ title=”References & Links”]
The story of the Polynesia serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by sailing vessels in the Great Lakes, particularly during late-season storms. Its wreck offers insights into maritime history and the operational practices of the time.
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.
Identification & Vessel Details
- Name: Polynesia (wooden three-masted schooner)
- Built: 1885 by J. Davidson, West Bay City, Michigan (hull #10)
- Official Number: 150347
- Dimensions: 204 ft × 37 ft × 16 ft; 979 GRT / 940 NRT
- Cargo on Final Voyage: Coal
- Tow Vessel: Steamer Raleigh, under Capt. Read (Corrigan fleet)
Construction & Service Briefly
- Originally built in 1885, Polynesia joined James Corrigan & Huntington’s fleet after their 1886 purchase of both Polynesia and Raleigh, operating primarily in coal transport between Buffalo and Chicago (wisconsinshipwrecks.org, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia).
Final Voyage & Loss – October 23–24, 1887, Lake Michigan
- October 15, 1887: Departed Buffalo in tow of Raleigh, bound for South Chicago (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
- October 23: Encountered a violent storm off Sheboygan, WI—though Raleigh managed to heave-to, protecting itself, the Polynesia lost sail and began taking on water (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
- October 24, 11 AM: As the schooner settled rapidly, Capt. Kerr ordered abandonment. Crew escaped via yawl moments before she sank in ~330 ft of water. Raleigh recovered the crew and delivered them safely to South Chicago (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
- Casualties: None reported.
Wreck & Aftermath
- Location: ~20 nautical miles east of Sheboygan in Lake Michigan, resting in deep water (~330 ft depth) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- Value: Estimated at $58,000 at time of loss (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- No significant salvage attempted; the wreck laid undisturbed in deep cold water.
Operational Context & Ownership
- The Polynesia was part of the Corrigan–Huntington fleet, an influential shipping concern active in the Great Lakes coal trade (Wikipedia).
- Under tow by Raleigh, a common practice for large schooners requiring assistance during inclement weather.
Historical & Archaeological Significance
- Reflects the perils of sailing freight vessels in tow during late-season Lake Michigan storms.
- Crew survival underscores effective abandonment protocols during high-seas rescues.
- The wreck’s deep-water setting likely protects it from common decay, offering potential for future ROV documentation.
Suggested Research & Follow‑Up
| Focus Area | Action Plan |
|---|---|
| Archival Newspapers | Search October 1887 editions of Chicago Tribune, Milwaukee Sentinel, and Sheboygan Press for crew testimonies and storm accounts. |
| Tow Logs & Records | Investigate Raleigh deck logs or Corrigan fleet business archives for voyage details and procedural notes. |
| Wreck Survey | Evaluate feasibility for ROV-side scan to survey wreck site and document preservation in ~330 ft of fresh water. |
| Cargo Analysis | Study coal types and origin documentation from loading at Buffalo for insights into fuel trade patterns. |
Sources
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks overview of Polynesia‘s final voyage and crew rescue (uplink.nmu.edu, marshcollection.org, wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files entry confirming official number, dimensions, cargo, loss details, and financial value (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- Fleet acquisition context for Corrigan, Huntington & Co. (Wikipedia).