Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sarah Clow
- Type: Wooden two-masted lumber schooner
- Year Built: 1862
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Off the Manitou Islands, Lake Michigan
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden two-masted lumber schooner.
Description
The Sarah Clow was a wooden two-masted schooner primarily used for transporting lumber. Built in 1862, she was designed to navigate the waters of the Great Lakes.
History
In mid-November 1869, after loading lumber, Sarah Clow put to sea to wait out a sudden violent storm. She cast anchor but was caught by tempestuous seas that left her sideways to the troughs, causing severe hull stress. The vessel ultimately broke nearly in two and sank off the Manitou Islands. Despite the catastrophic damage, she was partially salvaged and reconstructed by April 1870—indicating her hull or machinery was recoverable and rebuilt.
Significant Incidents
- Storm-induced capsize; vessel “broke nearly in two and sank” but was later rebuilt in April 1870.
Final Disposition
After being declared a wreck, Sarah Clow was refloated and completely rebuilt by April 1870. She continued in service, was later repaired again in 1880, and presumably remained active for many years thereafter.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is not documented, but it was salvaged and rebuilt after the sinking.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sarah-clow-1862″ title=”References & Links”]
Sarah Clow matches the shipwreck file’s description: had just loaded lumber, tried to ride out a storm at anchor, but suffered catastrophic structural failure and sank during the gale. The crew survived, and the vessel was judged salvageable and rebuilt. If you’d like help identifying crew names, press coverage, or details of the rebuild through enrollment records or salvaging company archives, I can assist with next archival steps.
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.
(schooner, built 1862 – wrecked November 17, 1869; Lake Michigan off the Manitou Islands)
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sarah Clow
- Build Year: 1862
- Type: Wooden two‑masted lumber schooner
- Loss Date: November 17, 1869
- Loss Location: Off the Manitou Islands, Lake Michigan
- Incident Reported: Storm-induced capsize; vessel “broke nearly in two and sank” but was later rebuilt in April 1870. ([turn0search1](Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, NOAA Institutional Repository, Wikipedia))
History & Loss Circumstances
- In mid-November 1869, after loading lumber, Sarah Clow put to sea to wait out a sudden violent storm. She cast anchor but was caught by tempestuous seas that left her sideways to the troughs, causing severe hull stress.
- The vessel ultimately broke nearly in two and sank off the Manitou Islands. Despite the catastrophic damage, she was partially salvaged and reconstructed by April 1870—indicating her hull or machinery was recoverable and rebuilt. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files))
Cargo & Casualties
- Cargo: Lumber (typical freight trade of the period)
- Crew: All survived; no fatalities are recorded. Rescued by nearby vessels or drifted ashore. Details beyond crew count are not available in the source, but rescue is implied in the storm narrative. ((Great Lakes Shipwreck Files))
Rebuilding & Later Service
- After being declared a wreck, Sarah Clow was refloated and completely rebuilt by April 1870. She continued in service, was later repaired again in 1880, and presumably remained active for many years thereafter. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files
Research Gaps & Next Steps
To enrich this profile with more detail:
- Vessel Enrollment Records (1862–1869)
— To uncover size, official number, builder, owner, and master’s name. - Storm & Lumber Trade Records
— Port records in Chicago, Milwaukee, or Menominee might reveal freight documentation or vessel logs. - Local Newspaper Reports (Nov 1869)
— Papers near the Manitou Islands, such as the Door County Advocate, might feature eyewitness accounts or cargo details. - Salvage & Insurance Files (1870)
— Records from salvage operations could provide engineering details on the rebuild, cost estimates, and vessel valuation. - Rebuilt Service Record (1870–1880)
— Enrollment documents or inspection logs pre- and post-rebuild could confirm structural changes or re-registration dates.
Summary Table
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name / Built | Sarah Clow, built 1862 |
| Loss Date | November 17, 1869 |
| Location | Lake Michigan, off Manitou Islands |
| Cause | Violent storm; vessel broke nearly in two |
| Cargo | Lumber |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Disposition | Rebuilt in April 1870 |
| Rebuild Date | ~April 1870; again repaired in 1880 |
Sarah Clow matches the shipwreck file’s description: had just loaded lumber, tried to ride out a storm at anchor, but suffered catastrophic structural failure and sank during the gale. The crew survived, and the vessel was judged salvageable and rebuilt. If you’d like help identifying crew names, press coverage, or details of the rebuild through enrollment records or salvaging company archives, I can assist with next archival steps.
sarah-clow-1862 1869-11-17 18:27:00