Rosabelle – Lake Michigan Schooner Shipwreck (1921)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Rosabelle
• Type: 2-masted wooden schooner
• Year Built: 1863
• Builder: Leander H. Boole Shipyard
• Dimensions: Length: 106 ft (32.31 m); Beam: 26 ft (7.92 m); Depth of hold: 6.2 ft (1.89 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 115 GT
• Location: Lake Michigan, east of Milwaukee; later drifted to Racine, Wisconsin
• Coordinates: 42° 45.785′ N / 87° 46.521′ W
• Official Number: 21302
• Original Owners: House of David Israelite Colony, High Island / Benton Harbor, Michigan
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Rosabelle was a two-masted wooden schooner, purpose-built for the lumber and bulk cargo trade on the Great Lakes.

Description

Constructed in 1863 by the Leander H. Boole Shipyard in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Rosabelle was designed for the transportation of lumber and general freight. It had a gross tonnage of 115 GT and dimensions of 106 ft in length, 26 ft in beam, and a depth of hold of 6.2 ft.

History

Active in the lumber trade from 1863 until its loss in 1921, the Rosabelle was owned by French and Miller of Milwaukee during its early years. In 1919, it was purchased by the House of David, a religious colony, and continued to operate as a supply schooner for nearly 60 years.

Significant Incidents

• 30 October 1921: The Rosabelle departed High Island with a cargo of maple lumber but encountered a gale on Lake Michigan.
• It was found capsized, bottom up, 42 miles east of Milwaukee, with no evidence of collision.
• The vessel drifted towards Wisconsin and was towed to Racine harbor for salvage.
• Reports indicate that 9 to 11 crew members were lost, with no bodies recovered.

Final Disposition

After being beached north of Racine’s north pier, the Rosabelle was salvaged for its cargo and hull. By 1922, it was observed stripped of cargo and partially broken. By 1927, only the centerboard box remained visible, and the hull gradually disintegrated or became buried in littoral sands. Today, no known dive site remains as the wreck is likely fully dispersed.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The Rosabelle is not an extant wreck; all structural remains have been removed or decayed in the surf zone. Historical interest focuses on the maritime hazards faced by late-season lumber schooners and the operations of the House of David.

Resources & Links

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The Rosabelle represents a significant chapter in Great Lakes maritime history, illustrating the challenges faced by aging wooden vessels in the early 20th century. As no physical wreck remains, its legacy is preserved through archival research and historical documentation.