Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: R.J. HACKETT
- Type: Bulk Freighter
- Year Built: 1869
- Builder: E.M. Peck
- Dimensions: Length 211 ft (64.3 m); Beam 33 ft (10 m); Depth of hold 19 ft (5.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 1,129
- Location: Whaleback Shoal, near Cedar River, Green Bay, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 21934
- Original Owners: Captain H. C. McCallum
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The R.J. HACKETT was a steam-powered bulk freighter, a pioneering vessel in Great Lakes shipping history. It is widely credited as the first purpose-built fore-and-aft cabin bulk freighter, a design that set the standard for Great Lakes steam barges.
Description
The R.J. HACKETT was a revolutionary vessel, featuring a fore-and-aft cabin configuration that maximized cargo space. This design laid the foundation for the modern Great Lakes freighter and influenced the development of the self-unloading freighter decades later.
Throughout her career, the Hackett transported bulk cargo, including iron ore, coal, and lumber, between major industrial ports on the Great Lakes. She was owned and operated by Captain H.C. McCallum at the time of her loss.
History
On November 12, 1905, the R.J. HACKETT was bound for Marinette, WI, from Cleveland with a load of 1,400 tons of coal when she ran aground on Whaleback Shoal in Green Bay. While her crew attempted to work her free, a fire broke out aboard the vessel, spreading rapidly and burning her down to the waterline.
The crew managed to escape unharmed and was rescued by the fish tug Stewart Edward. The Hackett’s remains later slipped off the reef into deeper water, where they remain to this day.
Significant Incidents
- November 12, 1905: The R.J. Hackett ran aground on Whaleback Shoal and caught fire, leading to her sinking.
Final Disposition
The R.J. HACKETT is one of the most historically significant vessels in Great Lakes history. Her pioneering bulk freighter design revolutionized the shipping industry and paved the way for larger, more efficient freighters.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the R.J. HACKETT is located on the bottom of Lake Michigan, having slipped off the reef into deeper water. The site is accessible for diving, but conditions may vary.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”r-j-hackett-us-21934″ title=”References & Links”]
For divers and maritime historians alike, the wreck of the R.J. HACKETT offers a glimpse into the early days of Great Lakes shipping and the evolution of vessel design.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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