Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Rocky Mountains
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1837
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: One of the largest schooners on the Great Lakes at her time
- Location: Approximately 4 miles south of New Buffalo, Michigan
- Original Owners: E. K. Bruce (Milwaukee-based)
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Two-masted wooden schooner, among the largest of her time on the Great Lakes.
Description
The Rocky Mountains was a significant vessel in the early maritime history of the Great Lakes, primarily operating on Lake Huron and Lake Michigan routes.
History
Built in 1837, the Rocky Mountains was owned by E. K. Bruce at the time of her loss. She was engaged in the lumber trade, reflecting the economic activities of the region during that period.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: November 21, 1857
- Location: Driven ashore approximately 4 miles south of New Buffalo, Michigan, during a late-season storm.
- Circumstances: The vessel was battered ashore, became waterlogged, and broke apart offshore in heavy seas.
- Crew Survival: The crew survived by constructing a makeshift raft and drifted for over 12 hours before being rescued by the passing schooner Jo Vilas.
Final Disposition
The Rocky Mountains was a total loss with no salvage efforts reported. The hull broke apart and sank after being driven ashore.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, and it remains a site of interest for maritime archaeology and diving.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”rocky-mountain-1837″ title=”References & Links”]
The schooner Rocky Mountains, loaded with lumber and owned by E. K. Bruce, was lost in a gale on November 21, 1857, when she was driven ashore south of New Buffalo, Michigan. The hull broke apart and sank; her crew famously survived on a makeshift raft for over 12 hours before rescue. This profile maintains clarity and source-supported accuracy for archival research.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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