Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sea Bird
- Type: Sidewheel Steamer
- Year Built: 1859
- Builder: E. B. Ward
- Dimensions: 192 ft (58.5 m) X 28 ft (8.5 m); Depth: 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage:
- Depth at Wreck Site: 8.2 m / 27 ft
- Location: Near Waukegan, Illinois
- Official Number: 22368
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Sea Bird was a wooden sidewheel steamer, a type of steam-powered vessel popular for transporting passengers and cargo during the 19th century. Its side-mounted paddle wheels and shallow draught made it well-suited for operations in the Great Lakes.
Description
Built in 1859, the Sea Bird was designed to carry passengers and freight across the Great Lakes, offering an essential service during a period of growing trade and migration. On April 9, 1868, the vessel caught fire and sank off the coast of Waukegan, Illinois. The disaster claimed the lives of between 70 and 100 passengers and crew, with only three survivors.
The exact cause of the fire is uncertain, but it spread rapidly, overwhelming the vessel and preventing a successful evacuation. The Sea Bird’s tragic end highlights the dangers of wooden steamers, particularly their susceptibility to fire.
History
The wreck lies in 27 ft (8.2 m) of water near the shore of Waukegan, Illinois, in Lake Michigan.
• While the wreck’s precise location remains generally undisclosed, parts of the vessel may still be present, though its wooden structure likely suffered significant damage from the fire and years of submersion.
• No substantial artifacts or intact sections have been documented in recent times, making the wreck more a site of historical tragedy than an archaeological resource.
Significant Incidents
The Sea Bird wreck is known to maritime historians and has been recorded in several shipwreck databases, though extensive archaeological surveys have not been conducted. The shallow location and the severity of the fire likely left the site with minimal remains.
Final Disposition
The site lies in shallow waters, making it accessible to snorkelers and divers. However, the absence of intact wreckage limits its appeal as a diving destination. Visitors are encouraged to respect the site as a historical grave and avoid any disturbance.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck is largely undocumented, with no significant remains reported. The wooden structure has likely deteriorated over time due to fire damage and submersion.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sea-bird-us-22368″ title=”References & Links”]
The Sea Bird serves as a reminder of the maritime disasters of the past, particularly the risks associated with wooden vessels. Its story is preserved in maritime history, and the site remains a point of interest for divers and historians alike.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →