Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Selt
- Type: Two-masted scow-schooner
- Year Built: 1864
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Michigan
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden scow-schooner, built in 1864, designed as a flat-bottomed cargo vessel.
Description
The Selt was a two-masted scow-schooner, primarily used for cargo transport. It had a troubled operational history, having sustained significant damage in the past.
History
The Selt began its service in 1864. It was involved in various cargo operations, likely transporting bulk materials such as coal, grain, or lumber. The vessel had a history of structural issues, notably suffering damage in Spring 1872 when it was driven ashore in Whitefish Bay.
Significant Incidents
- October 20, 1888: The Selt was loading cargo when it began to pound against a pier due to fall storm conditions on Lake Michigan. To prevent further damage, the vessel was intentionally beached.
- Prior damage in Spring 1872 suggests a history of operational challenges.
Final Disposition
After being intentionally beached, the Selt was declared a total constructive loss. It is believed that the hull was left stranded and likely dismantled in place.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is uncertain, with no recent surveys reported. Shoreline surveys or salvage logs may provide information on the remains of the hull.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”selt-1864″ title=”References & Links”]
The scow-schooner Selt faced significant challenges during its operational life, culminating in its loss during a storm in 1888. Further research into local archives and vessel registries may yield additional insights into its history and final resting place.
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.
(wooden scow-schooner, built 1864)
Identification & Vessel Details
- Name: Selt
- Built: 1864
- Type: Two-masted scow-schooner (flat-bottomed cargo vessel)
Incident Date & Conditions
- Date: October 20, 1888
- Weather: Fall storm conditions on Lake Michigan
Incident Summary
- The Selt began pounding against a pier while loading cargo. To prevent structural failure at the dock, she was deliberately beached.
- Sources also note she had previously sustained heavy damage in Spring 1872 when driven ashore in Whitefish Bay—suggesting a troubled operational history.
Cargo & Crew
- Cargo: Likely bulk like coal, grain, or lumber
- Crew: Reported “none” — likely meaning no crew casualties recorded
Final Disposition
- Declared a total constructive loss after intentional beaching this time
- Record suggests she was left stranded, hull likely dismantled in place
Research Gaps & Next Steps
- Confirm Build & Owner: Registry records (circa 1864–1888) may identify dimensions, owner, and official number.
- Pier Incident Details: Local newspapers from Milwaukee, Chicago, or Manitowoc (October 1888) might report the pier collision and beaching action.
- Wreck Status: Shoreline surveys or salvage logs may note hull remains following beaching.
- Prior Damage: Whitefish Bay incident records (spring 1872) may elaborate on structural history and repeated incidents.
Conclusion
The scow-schooner Selt appears to have struck or nearly had serious structural damage at her mooring during a storm on October 20, 1888. She was intentionally grounded after heavy pounding against the pier was noted, and declared a constructive total loss. Her prior damage in Whitefish Bay in 1872 suggests a vessel repeatedly compromised by storm conditions.
To more fully document the Selt, I can search local mid-1888 and early-1872 newspaper archives, vessel registries, and port authority logs. Let me know if you’d like me to pursue that path.
selt-1864 1888-10-20 01:29:00