Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sevona
- Type: Steel-hulled Steam Screw Freighter
- Year Built: 1890
- Builder: F. W. Wheeler Shipyards, Bay City, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length 372 ft (114 m); Beam 41 ft (13 m); Depth of hold 24 ft (7.3 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 3,166 GRT; 2,258 NRT
- Depth at Wreck Site: 6 m / 20 ft
- Location: Sand Island Shoal, Apostle Islands
- Coordinates: 47.0078, -90.9028
- Official Number: US #136129
- Original Owners: Pennsylvania Steamship Co. (initial), later under new management when renamed Sevona
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Sevona, originally launched as the Emily P. Weed in 1890, was a large steel-hulled freighter built at Bay City, Michigan. She carried bulk cargoes such as iron ore, grain, and package freight. Following modifications in 1904, she was lengthened and her tonnage increased. Notably, she carried one of the first electric searchlights used on a Great Lakes vessel, signaling a major modernization.
Description
The Sevona was a significant vessel in the Great Lakes shipping industry, known for her size and modern features. After her renaming in 1897, she continued to serve in the ore trade, transporting goods across Lake Superior and contributing to the economic activities of the region.
History
From 1890 to 1897, the vessel sailed as the Emily P. Weed. In 1897–98, she was renamed Sevona under new ownership. By 1904, the vessel underwent lengthening, tonnage increases, and lighting upgrades. She was engaged in the ore trade across Lake Superior, working from Allouez, Wisconsin, to eastern Great Lakes ports.
Significant Incidents
- On September 1, 1905, the Sevona departed Allouez with 6,000 tons of iron ore bound for Erie, Pennsylvania.
- Encountering a severe storm, Captain John McAlpine attempted to seek refuge in the Apostle Islands.
- On September 2, 1905, at approximately 6 a.m., she struck Sand Island Shoal and quickly broke in two.
- Seven lives were lost; 17 survivors reached shore by lifeboat or raft.
- The cargo, valued at $220,000, was lost.
Final Disposition
In 1909, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dynamited much of the wreck to remove hazards to navigation, after salvaging machinery and plating. The wreck was never “rediscovered” as its position was known from the time of sinking. Its remains are documented by the Wisconsin Historical Society and Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
Current Condition & Accessibility
A mooring buoy marks the site for divers. The wreck is protected under Wisconsin law and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore; artifact removal is prohibited. Access is by boat from Little Sand Bay, approximately 4 miles away. The dive conditions are freshwater with visibility ranging from 15 to 40 ft, and the bottom is flat sandstone.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sevona-emily-p-weed” title=”References & Links”]
The Sevona’s wreck stands as a silent witness to the challenges of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes, where unpredictable weather and underwater hazards claimed numerous ships. Its remains, lying on Sand Island Shoal, provide an invaluable historical and diving site. The Sevona’s story underscores the resilience of early mariners and the evolution of shipbuilding, making it a cherished piece of Great Lakes heritage.
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.
Identification Card (Site Style)
Other Names: Sevona
Official Number: US #136129
Registry: United States
Vessel Type: Steel-hulled Steam Screw Freighter
Builder: F. W. Wheeler Shipyards, Bay City (West Bay City), Michigan
Year Built: 1890
Dimensions: Originally ~300 ft (91 m); lengthened to ~372 ft (114 m); beam 41 ft (13 m); depth of hold ~24 ft (7.3 m)
Tonnage: 3,166 GRT; 2,258 NRT
Engine: Steam-powered, fitted with electric light/searchlight system during 1904 refit
Date of Loss: September 2, 1905
Location: Sand Island Shoal, Apostle Islands, Lake Superior
Coordinates: 47.0078, -90.9028
Depth: 20 ft (6 m)
Home Port: Cleveland, Ohio
Owners: Pennsylvania Steamship Co. (initial), later under new management when renamed Sevona
Crew: 24 (20 men, 4 women)
Casualties: 7 dead, 17 survivors
Description
The Sevona, originally launched as the Emily P. Weed in 1890, was a large steel-hulled freighter built at Bay City, Michigan. She carried bulk cargoes such as iron ore, grain, and package freight. Following modifications in 1904, she was lengthened and her tonnage increased. Notably, she carried one of the first electric searchlights used on a Great Lakes vessel, signaling a major modernization.
History
From 1890 to 1897, the vessel sailed as the Emily P. Weed. In 1897–98, she was renamed Sevona under new ownership. By 1904, the vessel underwent lengthening, tonnage increases, and lighting upgrades. She was engaged in the ore trade across Lake Superior, working from Allouez, Wisconsin, to eastern Great Lakes ports.
Final Dispositions
On September 1, 1905, the Sevona departed Allouez with 6,000 tons of iron ore bound for Erie, Pennsylvania. Encountering a severe storm, Captain John McAlpine attempted to seek refuge in the Apostle Islands. On September 2, 1905, at approximately 6 a.m., she struck Sand Island Shoal and quickly broke in two. Seven lives were lost; 17 survivors reached shore by lifeboat or raft. The cargo, valued at $220,000, was lost. In 1909, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dynamited much of the wreck to remove hazards to navigation, after salvaging machinery and plating.
Located By & Date Found
The wreck was never “rediscovered” as its position was known from the time of sinking. Its remains are documented by the Wisconsin Historical Society and Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
Notmars & Advisories
A mooring buoy marks the site for divers. The wreck is protected under Wisconsin law and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore; artifact removal is prohibited.
Dive Information
Access: By boat from Little Sand Bay (approx. 4 miles)
Entry Point: Boat dive only
Conditions: Freshwater, visibility 15–40 ft, flat sandstone bottom
Depth Range: 20 ft (6 m)
Emergency Contacts: Bayfield County Sheriff/Coast Guard
Permits: Required under Wisconsin state preservation laws
Dive Support: Local dive charters and NPS dive resources available
Crew & Casualty Memorials
The Sevona Cabin (or Memorial Cottage) was built on Sand Island by Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor Sam Fifield in 1905 from salvaged wreck timber. It stands today as a memorial to those lost. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“The steamer Sevona struck the reef between Sand and York islands at 5:15 a.m. and soon went to pieces, breaking in two amidships.” — Local press report, September 1905
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Official US number 136129, enrolled at Cleveland. Further insurance and enrollment records reside in U.S. Customs archives and Lloyd’s casualty lists (not digitized).
Site Documentation & Imaging
Archaeological survey by Wisconsin Historical Society documents two large hull sections and a surrounding debris field. Interactive 3D models of the site are hosted at 3DShipwrecks.
Site Map Pin
Here is a Google Maps pin for the Sevona wreck, located on Sand Island Shoal, Apostle Islands.
Image Gallery
Resources & Links
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks – Sevona
- NPS – Wreck of the Sevona
- Wikipedia – Sevona (Shipwreck)
- 3D Shipwrecks – Sevona
References
- Wisconsin Historical Society. “Sevona.” Wisconsin Shipwrecks database.
- National Park Service. “Wreck of the Sevona,” Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
- Wikipedia contributors. “Sevona (shipwreck).”
- 3DShipwrecks.org interactive model.
NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: Emily P. Weed
Official Number: US 136129
Coordinates: 47.0078, -90.9028
Depth: 20 ft (6 m)
Location Description: Sand Island Shoal, Apostle Islands
Vessel Type: Steel-hulled steam freighter
Material: Steel
Dimensions: 372 ft × 41 ft × 24 ft; 3,166 GRT
Condition: Lower hull intact in two large sections, debris field present
Cause of Loss: Grounding in storm, broke apart
Discovery Date: September 1905 (loss documented at sinking)
Discovered By: Not applicable (known wreck)
Method: Broke apart on shoal; later partially dynamited by USACE
Legal Notes: Protected under Wisconsin law; NRHP listed
Hazards: Submerged remains near shoal
Permits Required: Yes, for artifact handling or research
3D Model – Sevona
Sevona by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab
Conclusion:
The Sevona’s wreck stands as a silent witness to the challenges of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes, where unpredictable weather and underwater hazards claimed numerous ships. Its remains, lying on Sand Island Shoal, provide an invaluable historical and diving site. The Sevona’s story underscores the resilience of early mariners and the evolution of shipbuilding, making it a cherished piece of Great Lakes heritage.
Would you like details on nearby wrecks or further information on diving conditions in the Apostle Islands?
sevona-emily-p-weed 1905-09-02 07:51:00
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