Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Seventy-Six
• Type: Wooden schooner, freighter
• Year Built: 1851
• Builder:
• Dimensions:
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Approximately 40 miles offshore from Chicago, Lake Michigan

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden Schooner – Built 1851, Lost July 23, 1857

Description

The Seventy-Six was a wooden schooner primarily used for transporting lumber. At the time of her loss, she was en route from Cleveland to Port Burwell, Ontario, carrying a cargo of lumber.

History

As an example of mid-19th-century lumber schooners, the Seventy-Six was a simple, sail-powered craft that was vulnerable to leaks and adverse weather conditions. The vessel’s design and construction reflected the maritime practices of the era.

Significant Incidents

• Sprang a leak during transit, taking on water and rapidly sinking down to her decks.
• Thanks to her buoyant cargo of lumber, the hull remained afloat and drifted toward shore.
• Local inhabitants rescued the crew as the vessel drifted near land.

Final Disposition

The compromised hull was left to drift and eventually foundered. There is no record of salvage, and it is likely that the vessel was considered a total loss and abandoned.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As of now, there are no known remains of the Seventy-Six, and the wreck is presumed to have been lost without salvage.

Resources & Links

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The Seventy-Six serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by 19th-century maritime vessels and the importance of understanding the historical context of shipwrecks in the Great Lakes region.