Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

R.J. Skidmore (1856)

Explore the wreck of the R.J. Skidmore, a two-masted wooden schooner lost in 1885 near Leland, MI, with a rich history of incidents.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: R.J. Skidmore
  • Type: Two-masted wooden schooner or scow-schooner
  • Year Built: 1856
  • Builder: H. Baker
  • Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Registered Tonnage: 107 GRT
  • Location: Leland, Michigan
  • Original Owners: Milwaukee (later under Ontario interests)
  • Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The R.J. Skidmore was a two-masted wooden schooner or scow-schooner, built in 1856 in Trenton, Michigan by H. Baker. It was registered in Milwaukee and later came under Ontario interests.

Description

This vessel had a registered tonnage of 107 gross tons. Specific dimensions such as length, beam, and depth of hold are not documented in the available sources.

History

The R.J. Skidmore had a notable service history, including incidents such as springing a leak in June 1874 while on Lake Michigan, which resulted in damage estimated at $300. The vessel was leveled and returned without loss of crew.

In September 1885, the R.J. Skidmore was declared a total loss after being driven ashore near Leland, Michigan, during heavy weather. The estimated loss value was $1,500, and no casualties were reported.

Significant Incidents

  • June 1874 – Springing a Leak: Took on water and sprung a leak on Lake Michigan; leveled and returned with no crew lost; damage estimated at ~$300.
  • September 20–21, 1885 – Total Loss ashore at Leland, MI: Pulled away from a dock during heavy weather and driven ashore; declared a total loss with an estimated loss value of $1,500; no casualties reported.

Final Disposition

The R.J. Skidmore is confirmed as a total loss following its grounding in September 1885. This incident is documented in the Total Losses and Casualty Lists for that year.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Details regarding the current condition of the wreck are not available. The site may be accessible for diving, but specific dive conditions and visibility are not documented.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”r-j-skidmore-1856″ title=”References & Links”]

While there are no known salvage or official marine board findings, the grounding in September 1885 is recognized as the vessel’s final incident. Further archival research may yield additional insights into the vessel’s history and final days.

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.

  • Built: 1856, Trenton, Michigan (builder: H. Baker)
  • Tonnage: 107 GRT
  • Registration: Milwaukee (later under Ontario interests)
  • Type: Two-masted wooden schooner or scow-schooner

Historical Casualty Records

  1. June 1874 – Springing a Leak
    • Incident: Took on water and “sprung a leak” on Lake Michigan
    • Outcome: Leveled and returned; no crew lost
    • Reported value of damage: ~$300
  2. September 20–21, 1885 – Total Loss ashore at Leland, MI
    • Event: Pulled away from a dock during heavy weather to avoid damage, then driven ashore near Leland
    • Status: Declared a total loss
    • Estimated loss value: $1,500
    • No casualties reported

These incidents appear in the Total Losses and Casualty Lists for 1874 and 1885, confirming the vessel’s final fate.

Sources & Citations

  • Listed in Total Losses on the Lakes, 1885 (“grounded at Leland… total loss”) and Casualty List 1874 (“sprung a leak…”) — from Chicago Inter-Ocean and Cleveland Leader as compiled in Great Lakes Shipwreck Files.

Research Gaps & Next Steps

While we lack an official marine board inquiry or salvage report, the consistent documentation of the vessel’s 1885 grounding confirms its end. To deepen this study:

  • Newspaper Archive Searches: Access Chicago Inter-Ocean and Cleveland Leader archives directly (circa Dec 1874 and Sep 1885) via Newspapers.com or Chronicling America to extract full incident narratives, crew details, or insurance assessments.
  • Harbor Logs: Consult Milwaukee and Leland port records—particularly harbor-master logs—for loss entries, crew manifests, and towing reports dated around September 1885.
  • Enrollment Documents: Review U.S. and Canadian enrollment lists for R.J. SKIDMORE, including master and crew names; available through HCGL/BGSU or NARA.

Summary Report

No known salvage or official marine board findings exist, but the widely reported grounding in September 1885 is recognized as the vessel’s final incident. Additional archival digging in port logs and newspapers may uncover the official fire / insurance claims or a detailed marine casualty report.

r-j-skidmore-1856 1885-09-21 20:30:00