Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Rockaway
- Type: Scow-style, flat-bottomed schooner
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder: Oswego, New York
- Dimensions: ~106 ft long, 24 ft beam, ~7 ft depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 20 m / 65 ft
- Location: Approx. 2.5 miles NW of South Haven Harbor, Lake Michigan
- Coordinates: 42° 26.553′ N, 86° 18.400′ W
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Scow-style, flat-bottomed schooner
Description
The Rockaway was built in 1866 and served primarily in the Lake Michigan lumber trade. It was designed for shallow waters, making it suitable for transporting goods along the lumber routes.
History
The Rockaway’s final voyage occurred on November 19, 1891, when it was caught in a severe autumn storm while traveling from Ludington to Benton Harbor carrying lumber. The vessel became waterlogged, prompting the crew to abandon ship. All six crew members survived the incident.
Significant Incidents
- Final Voyage: November 19, 1891, from Ludington to Benton Harbor carrying lumber.
- Loss Event: Caught in a severe autumn storm off South Haven; became waterlogged. Crew abandoned ship and all 6 survived.
- Sinking Location: Approx. 2.5 miles NW of South Haven Harbor, Lake Michigan, resting in ~65–70 ft (19–21 m) of water.
Final Disposition
The Rockaway was accidentally discovered in September 1983 when a fisherman’s anchor snagged on the wreck. This led to its reporting to the Michigan Maritime Museum. Excavation was conducted over six seasons by the Michigan Maritime Museum, Michigan Bureau of History, and DNR, marking the first complete archaeological excavation in the U.S. Great Lakes.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is broken into three sections on a flat sandy clay bottom. The central section includes the keelson and centerboard trunk, while the starboard section is cracked at the chine. The outer port section lies approximately 30 ft away. The site is covered with sand waves, and marine life such as perch and sculpins can be found in the area. Visibility is typically 36–40 ft, with water temperatures below 50 °F year-round.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”rockaway-1866″ title=”References & Links”]
The scow-schooner Rockaway, lost in the 1891 South Haven storm, now lies preserved and partially excavated in 70 ft of water. It offers rich insights into flat-bottomed schooner architecture, maritime economics, and cold-water wreck preservation. The site remains accessible to divers under regulated guidelines and continues to contribute to historical and archaeological knowledge of Great Lakes shipping.
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
- Type: Scow-style, flat-bottomed schooner
- Built: 1866 at Oswego, New York
- Dimensions: ~106 ft long, 24 ft beam, ~7 ft depth of hold (some sources cite 107′ × 24′ × 7′) (michiganshipwrecks.org, NOAA Institutional Repository)
- Registry/Service Areas: Initially Ontario and Erie, later Lake Michigan lumber routes from Muskegon (michiganshipwrecks.org)
Incident & Sinking
- Final Voyage: November 19, 1891, from Ludington to Benton Harbor carrying lumber
- Loss Event: Caught in a severe autumn storm off South Haven; became waterlogged. Crew abandoned ship and all 6 survived (michiganshipwrecks.org)
- Sinking Location: Approx. 2.5 miles NW of South Haven Harbor, Lake Michigan, resting in ~65–70 ft (19–21 m) of water (42° 26.553′ N, 86° 18.400′ W) (michiganshipwrecks.org)
Wreck Discovery & Archaeological Work
- Discovery: Accidentally discovered in September 1983 when fishermen’s anchor snagged on wreck; reported to Michigan Maritime Museum (michiganshipwrecks.org)
- Excavation: Conducted over six seasons by Michigan Maritime Museum, Michigan Bureau of History, and DNR. First complete archaeological excavation in U.S. Great Lakes (Wandering Educators)
- Documentation: Detailed mapping, conservation of artifacts using chemical baths and freeze-drying; yielded significant construction insights (Wandering Educators)
Site Description & Condition
- Wreck Layout: Broken into three sections on a flat sandy clay bottom:
- Central section: keelson, sister keelsons, centerboard trunk (~6′ high)
- Starboard section: cracked at chine; adjacent to central structure
- Outer port section: lies ~30′ away, pivoted from bow
- Notable features: windlass ~35′ forward of bow, chain-pile at starboard bow quarter, operating lever on port side (DiveBuddy.com, michiganshipwrecks.org)
- Environment: Sand waves cover/uncover parts of wreck. Bottom: clay with sand/stone overburden. Marine life: perch, sculpins, burbot (michiganshipwrecks.org)Diving Information (Recreational & Archaeological)
- Depth: 65–70 ft (20 m); maximum depth noted at 61–70 ft (DiveBuddy.com)
- Visibility: 36–40 ft clarity typical (DiveBuddy.com)
- Water Temp: Below 50 °F year‑round; suits required (7 mm or drysuit) (DiveBuddy.com)
- Access: Boat-access only; rated 3/5 by divers—best when lake is calm (DiveBuddy.com)
Historical Significance
- Industrial Value: Served the Lake Michigan lumber trade; transported grain, coal, salt, produce—iconic of late‑19th-century Great Lakes economic boom (Wandering Educators)
- Archaeological Importance: Its excavation provided foundational data on scow‑schooner construction and material culture aboard these vessels—pivotal for maritime research (Wandering Educators)
Site Management & Conservation
- Access & Use: Now a popular dive and research site; managed under Michigan Underwater Preserve guidelines (Michigan Preserves)
- Conservation Measures: Wreck protected; artifact conservation conducted professionally; periodic site monitoring due to sediment movement
- Guidelines: Divers encouraged to follow “leave no trace” ethics; avoid artifact removal; maintain buoyed mooring and dive plan
Summary
The scow‑schooner Rockaway, lost in the 1891 South Haven storm, now lies preserved and partially excavated in 70 ft of water. It offers rich insights into flat-bottomed schooner architecture, maritime economics, and cold-water wreck preservation. The site remains accessible to divers under regulated guidelines and continues to contribute to historical and archaeological knowledge of Great Lakes shipping.
Recommended Further Research & Actions
- Consult Michigan Maritime Museum archives for excavation logs, artifact catalogs, field reports
- Review DNR maritime site records for management plans and environmental impact assessments
- Examine Historic Newspapers (e.g., Chicago Tribune, Ludington Daily News) for first‑hand sinking accounts
- Map bathymetry & sediment movement to model site preservation over time
- Compile crew biographies/logbooks for crew life and operational context