Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Solon H. Johnson
- Type: Steam screw propeller
- Year Built: 1876
- Builder: A. Cook
- Dimensions: 106.5 ft (32.46 m) × 21.5 ft (6.55 m) × 8.1 ft (2.47 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 128.78 GT
- Location: 9 miles south of Kenosha, Wisconsin
- Coordinates: 42° 28.735' N / 87° 47.589' W
- Official Number: 6887
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: No masts recorded
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Steam screw propeller, single deck
Hull Material: Wood
Propulsion: Steam screw engine; no auxiliary sail
Primary Trade: Lumber carrier, Great Lakes service (Michigan to Illinois routes)
Description
The Solon H. Johnson was a wooden steam screw propeller vessel built in 1876, primarily engaged in the lumber trade on Lake Michigan. With dimensions of 106.5 ft in length, 21.5 ft in beam, and a depth of 8.1 ft, it had a gross tonnage of 128.78 GT. The vessel was designed for shallow water operations and was suited for carrying lumber.
History
From 1876 to 1887, the Solon H. Johnson operated out of Chicago, Illinois, primarily transporting lumber and general freight along the western shore of Lake Michigan. Its typical route included trips from Muskegon, MI to Chicago, IL. The last official record of the vessel was marked as ‘Vessel Lost’ on November 27, 1888, in Chicago.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: November 24, 1887
- Cargo: Full load of lumber; towing a brick-laden scow
- Incident: Heavy seas off Kenosha forced the vessel to attempt anchoring the scow 4 miles offshore. The tow line fouled the propeller, rendering the Solon H. Johnson disabled, and both the Johnson and scow drifted ashore approximately 9 miles south of Kenosha.
- Crew: Entire crew saved by Kenosha Life-Saving Station, likely the U.S. Life-Saving Service.
Final Disposition
The scow was salvaged and towed to Chicago, while the Solon H. Johnson was declared a total loss with its cargo. This was confirmed in the official registry.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Solon H. Johnson is considered a constructive total loss. The shallow-water wreckage is likely broken up or salvaged in subsequent seasons. The site is not a diving destination, and wood fragments may exist under shifting sand south of Kenosha. It is listed in the Wisconsin Shipwrecks Database as a shoreline loss rather than a submerged archaeological site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”solon-h-johnson-us-6887″ title=”References & Links”]
The Solon H. Johnson represents a typical late-19th century Great Lakes wooden steam screw engaged in the lumber trade, a vital component of Midwest industrial expansion. Her loss near Kenosha in 1887 highlights common operational hazards of tow-line fouling and propulsion disablement in rough autumn weather. Though a total constructive loss, the vessel resulted in no fatalities, due to effective life-saving operations along Lake Michigan’s western shore.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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