Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Rosa
- Type: Two-masted wooden brig
- Year Built: 1841
- Builder: G. W. Jones, Black River, Ohio
- Dimensions: ~80 ft × 24 ft × 11 ft — based on 1855 registry data
- Registered Tonnage: Approximately 177 tons
- Location: St. Joseph, Michigan
- Official Number: not recorded
- Original Owners: Ownership likely based in Buffalo, NY while under Captain Whiting’s command
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Two-masted wooden brig.
Description
The Rosa was a wooden brig built in 1841, measuring approximately 80 feet in length, 24 feet in beam, and 11 feet in depth. She was constructed by G. W. Jones in Black River, Ohio, and had a registered tonnage of about 177 tons.
History
The Rosa was primarily engaged in transporting cargo across the Great Lakes. On March 17, 1844, she departed from St. Joseph, Michigan, carrying a load of stone bound for Chicago. Unfortunately, she encountered a severe spring storm that forced her ashore, resulting in her wreck.
Significant Incidents
- Date: March 17, 1844
- Location: St. Joseph, Michigan, Lake Michigan
- Cargo: Stone
- Situation: Caught in a spring storm, the Rosa struck the shoreline and was wrecked.
- Casualties: None reported.
Final Disposition
The Rosa was declared a total loss after being driven ashore during the storm. The crew survived the incident, but the vessel was left wrecked on the shore of Lake Michigan.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is not documented, and it remains a subject for further exploration and research.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”rosa-1841″ title=”References & Links”]
In conclusion, the Rosa represents an early-1840s maritime tragedy, lost to the elements while navigating the Great Lakes. The wreck offers opportunities for research into early shipping practices and the challenges faced by vessels of that era.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →