Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

R.P. Mason US 21877

Explore the remains of the R.P. Mason, a wooden schooner lost to fire in 1917, now resting in Green Bay’s shallow waters.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: R.P. Mason
  • Type: Wooden three-masted schooner, later converted to barge
  • Year Built: 1867
  • Builder: Harrison C. Pierson at Ferrysburg, Michigan
  • Dimensions: 115 × 24.6 × 7.9 ft (35 × 7.5 × 2.4 m); 155 GRT
  • Registered Tonnage: 155 GRT
  • Location: Green Bay, dockside at Seavey Mill pier
  • Coordinates: Approximate coordinates: N 44° 07.640′, W 087° 20.131′
  • Official Number: 21877
  • Number of Masts: Three

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The R.P. Mason was a wooden three-masted schooner, which was later converted into a barge. Initially designed for carrying lumber and milling equipment, it played a significant role in the maritime trade of the Great Lakes.

Description

Constructed in 1867 by Harrison C. Pierson in Ferrysburg, Michigan, the R.P. Mason measured 115 feet in length, 24.6 feet in beam, and had a depth of 7.9 feet. The vessel was registered at 155 gross tons and was primarily used for transporting lumber and milling gear.

History

The R.P. Mason served for five decades, initially as a lumber schooner before its conversion to a barge. It was involved in the transportation of various goods, including engines and sawmills, contributing to the industrial activities in the region.

Significant Incidents

  • Date: 20 June 1917
  • Location: Green Bay (Lake Michigan), dockside at Seavey Mill pier
  • Incident: A fire began in the adjacent Seavey sawmill, spreading to piers and engulfing the R.P. Mason as it was loading gear. The vessel broke free, drifted, burned to the waterline, and subsequently sank.
  • Casualties: Unspecified, but no notable loss of life recorded in the same reports.

Final Disposition

The R.P. Mason was destroyed by fire, which burned through its mooring lines. The vessel drifted and sank stern-first in Green Bay. The wreck was not raised and is likely buried or scattered in shallow waters near the mill’s old location.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No formal wreck survey or GPS record has been documented for the R.P. Mason. However, as a steel-era vessel, any remains are accessible to shallow-water exploration. The approximate coordinates for the wreck are N 44° 07.640′, W 087° 20.131′.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”r-p-mason-us-21877″ title=”References & Links”]

The R.P. Mason remains an important part of maritime history, representing the shipbuilding and shipping industry of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its loss in a catastrophic fire highlights the dangers faced by vessels of that era. The wreck, while uncharted, offers potential for historical exploration in the shallow waters of Green Bay.

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.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

Final Voyage & Loss

  • Date: 20 June 1917
  • Location: Green Bay (Lake Michigan), dockside at Seavey Mill pier (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
  • Incident: A fire began in the adjacent Seavey sawmill, then spread to piers, residences, and engulfed R.P. Mason as she was loading gear. The vessel broke free and drifted, burning to the waterline before sinking in Green Bay (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
  • Casualties: Unspecified, but no notable loss of life recorded in the same reports.

Final Disposition

Destroyed by fire—burned through mooring lines, anchored drifted, and sank stern-first in Green Bay. The wreck was not raised and likely remains buried or scattered in shallow waters near the mill’s old location.

Located By & Date Found

  • No formal wreck survey or GPS record documented.
  • Approximate coordinates: N 44° 07.640′, W 087° 20.131′ (Green Bay harbor area) (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
  • As a steel-era vessel, any remains are accessible to shallow-water exploration.

Archival & Research Next Steps

  1. Newspaper Records (June 1917):
    • Green Bay press likely covered the mill fire & vessel loss — possible rescue details or cargo specs.
  2. Mill & Tug Logs:
    • Daniel L. Seavey’s sawmill archive may record the transfer of gear and emergency response.
  3. Insurance Documentation:
    • Hull and cargo claim files may exist in Wisconsin maritime insurance archives, listing equipment details and loss valuation.
  4. Wreck Survey Potential:
    • Green Bay side-scan or shallow dive expeditions may confirm remains near the mill pier area.

Summary

R.P. Mason served for five decades, starting as a lumber schooner built in 1867 and later converted to barge. On 20 June 1917, she was lost in a catastrophic blaze that consumed the adjacent Seavey sawmill in Green Bay. The schooner burned through moorings and sank inshore, burned to the waterline. Her wreck remains uncharted, though likely shallow and accessible for historical exploration.

r-p-mason-us-21877 1917-06-20 20:33:00