Senator – Lake Michigan Schooner Shipwreck (1915)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Senator
• Type: Wooden schooner (single-deck, two-masted)
• Year Built: 1863
• Builder: S. G. Johnson
• Dimensions: 136 ft (41.5 m) L × 26 ft beam × 13 ft depth; approx. 396 old-style gross tons
• Registered Tonnage: 396
• Depth at Wreck Site: 4.57 m / 15 ft
• Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
• Official Number: 22 917
• Original Owners: C. Smyth et al., Oswego, NY; McEvoy & Brothers, Oswego
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Senator is classified as a wooden schooner, specifically a single-deck, two-masted vessel. Originally built for sailing, it was later converted for use as a barge in the iron ore trade.

Description

The Senator was constructed in 1863 in Clayton, New York. It features a wooden hull and was primarily used for transporting goods across the Great Lakes. Over its operational life, it underwent several ownership changes and modifications, including a conversion to a barge.

History

The Senator was enrolled in Oswego, NY, and initially owned by Smyth & Johnson. Throughout its service, it was re-measured multiple times, with gross tonnage recorded between 332 and 396 tons. The vessel was involved in various incidents, including a collision in Detroit in 1887 and a grounding incident in 1879, details of which remain unclear. By 1915, the vessel was abandoned in Sturgeon Bay due to age-related deterioration.

Significant Incidents

• 1863: Enrolled in Oswego, NY, owned by Smyth & Johnson.
• 1865-1868: Re-measurement yields 332-396 gross tons.
• 1871: Ownership transferred to McEvoy & Brothers, Oswego.
• 1874: Underwent major repairs.
• 1879: Ground incident (details unclear).
• 1880-1899: Converted to barge, extensively used in Lake Superior iron-ore hauling.
• 1887: Collided in Detroit, damaging tow vessels.
• 1915: Abandoned in Sturgeon Bay, WI due to age and hull degradation.

Final Disposition

The Senator was abandoned in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, between 1914 and 1915 due to age-related deterioration and hull weakening. It was left in shallow water, with broken remains submerged at approximately 15 feet depth. The hull is currently broken but identifiable and visible underwater.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck of the Senator is submerged in shallow waters of Sturgeon Bay, making it accessible for divers. The remains are broken but still recognizable, providing an opportunity for exploration and study.

Resources & Links

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The Senator serves as a significant example of the transition from sail-powered vessels to barges in the Great Lakes trade, illustrating the economic usage and longevity of wooden craft in maritime history.