Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: S.A. Wood
- Type: Three-Masted Wooden Schooner
- Year Built: 1868
- Builder: H.B. Burger, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: 150 ft (45.7 m); Beam: 28 ft (8.5 m); Depth of hold: 9 ft (2.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 314 gross tons; 299 net tons
- Location: Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Lake Michigan)
- Official Number: 23765
- Number of Masts: 3
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The S.A. Wood was a three-masted wooden schooner designed for bulk cargo transport on the Great Lakes.
Description
The S.A. Wood was built in 1868 at the H.B. Burger Shipyard in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. It was constructed from wood and designed to carry various cargoes, including lumber, grain, coal, and iron ore, across the Great Lakes.
History
The S.A. Wood operated on the Great Lakes for over three decades, typical of the working schooner fleets that dominated shipping before the rise of steam-powered vessels.
Significant Incidents
- November 13, 1904: Dismasted in a storm while sailing toward Milwaukee; the captain was killed by falling mast spars.
- 1905: Declared a total loss and towed to Chicago for conversion into a barge.
- November 1, 1906: Destroyed by fire in Chicago, ending its nearly 40-year career.
Final Disposition
The S.A. Wood was completely destroyed by fire before its conversion to a barge could be completed, and no significant remains are expected to exist today.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The remains of the S.A. Wood were likely salvaged or removed following the fire. Given its wooden hull construction and complete destruction by fire, no significant remains are expected to exist today. Small fragments of iron fastenings or burnt timbers may still be buried beneath sediment in the Chicago River or harbor.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”s-a-wood-us-23765″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The story of the S.A. Wood serves as a reminder of the dangers of Great Lakes sailing and the transition from sail to steam in the early 20th century.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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