Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: S. B. Paige
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1863
- Builder: Fowler in Oshkosh, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 143 GRT
- Location: Off South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 116335
- Original Owners: A. Day & Co., later Cook & Brown Lime Co.
- Number of Masts: Two-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The S. B. Paige was a two-masted wooden schooner primarily used for transporting lime, brick, and other building materials across the Great Lakes.
Description
Built in 1863 by Fowler in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, the S. B. Paige was a wooden schooner with a registered tonnage of 143 gross tons. It was owned by A. Day & Co. and later by Cook & Brown Lime Co., both based in Oshkosh.
History
The S. B. Paige served for 44 years, demonstrating an impressive lifespan for a wooden vessel in the Great Lakes. It was primarily engaged in the transportation of building materials, reflecting the economic activities of the region during its operational years.
Significant Incidents
- On September 10, 1907, the S. B. Paige was caught in a storm on Lake Michigan near South Manitou Island.
- The vessel stranded during the gale and was declared a total loss, but all four crew members on board were rescued.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the S. B. Paige is located off South Manitou Island in Lake Michigan. It was declared a total wreck, likely breaking up in the surf. There is no formal salvage or archaeological survey documented for the site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, but it is presumed to have deteriorated significantly due to natural elements. No formal assessments have been conducted since its loss.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”s-b-paige-us-116335″ title=”References & Links”]
The S. B. Paige serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by wooden vessels in the Great Lakes, particularly during severe weather conditions. Research opportunities exist for historical weather records and potential underwater surveys to locate remnants of the wreck.
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.
Vessel Details
- Name: S. B. Paige
- Built: 1863 by Fowler in Oshkosh, Wisconsin — a two-masted wooden schooner (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Official Number: 116335
- Owners: A. Day & Co., later Cook & Brown Lime Co., based in Oshkosh (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Role: Primarily carried lime, brick, and other building materials across the Great Lakes (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Final Voyage & Loss – September 10, 1907
- The 143‑GRT schooner was caught in a storm on Lake Michigan near South Manitou Island (Wikipedia)
- The vessel stranded during the gale and became a total loss, with all four people on board rescued (Wikipedia)
Wreck Site & Aftermath
- Location: Stranded off South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan
- Casualties: None — full crew survival confirmed in records (Wikipedia)
- Wreck Condition: Declared a total wreck; likely broke up in surf. No formal salvage or archaeological survey documented.
Archival & Historical Sources
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks: Vessel build details, tonnage, ownership, and trade cargo (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- “List of shipwrecks in 1907”: Official listing of grounding and survival (Wikipedia)
Significance & Research Opportunities
- Longevity: Served for 44 years—an impressive lifespan for a wooden Great Lakes schooner
- Wreck History: The loss in 1907 demonstrates vulnerability of aging wooden vessels to storms despite modern maritime advances
- Research Prospects:
- Historical weather records or newspaper archives (e.g., Ludington Daily News, Traverse City Record-Eagle) may provide firsthand storm accounts and rescue details.
- Underwater survey off South Manitou Island could locate structural remnants or cargo debris for archaeological study.