Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sheboygan
- Type: Sidewheel Steamer (Passenger & Packet Freight)
- Year Built: 1869
- Builder: Greenleaf S. Rand Shipyard, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: Unknown
- Location: Maritime Bay, near Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan
- Coordinates: Approx. 1–2 miles north of Manitowoc Harbor
- Official Number: Unknown
- Original Owners: Goodrich Transportation Company
- Number of Masts: Unknown
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Sheboygan was a sidewheel steamer designed for both passenger service and package freight transport.
Description
Built in 1869, the Sheboygan was known for its elegance and comfort, regularly operating routes between Chicago, Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, and other Wisconsin ports.
History
The Sheboygan had a notable operational history, frequently towed by the Goodrich tug Arctic. Over its 45-year career, it experienced multiple groundings and collisions, including a significant incident in October 1869 when it sank the tug Preston Brearly just outside Chicago Harbor.
Significant Incidents
- October 1869: Collision with the tug Preston Brearly, resulting in its sinking.
- Multiple groundings and collisions throughout its operational history.
Final Disposition
On September 28, 1914, the Sheboygan was towed to Maritime Bay, stripped of its machinery, and deliberately set on fire, burning to the waterline. This event marked the end of an era for the Goodrich fleet.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Sheboygan has not been definitively located, but it is believed that only the lower hull and submerged structural elements remain. Potential targets have been identified via Google Earth, and future sanctuary projects aim to investigate the area with side-scan sonar.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sheboygan-1869″ title=”References & Links”]
The Sheboygan represents a significant chapter in the history of Lake Michigan steamers. Ongoing maritime archaeology projects may uncover her remains, preserving her legacy as a historic vessel.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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