Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: South Haven
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Chicago Harbor, Illinois
- Number of Masts: Two-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
Description
South Haven was a wooden two-masted schooner built in 1866, primarily engaged in the lumber trade. It was likely registered out of Chicago or Grand Haven.
History
The South Haven was involved in the coastal trade of lumber, reflecting the economic activities of the Great Lakes region during the 19th century.
Significant Incidents
- Incident Date: November 18, 1886
- Cause: Caught in a powerful northeast gale while attempting to anchor in Chicago harbor.
- Damage: Dragged anchor and was smashed to matchwood on breakwalls in the 25th–30th Street area; her deck was torn off and hull demolished.
- Crew: The vessel was moored at the time; no casualties recorded.
Final Disposition
The wreck site of the South Haven is likely fragmented across the lower end of Chicago Harbor. Harbor debris logs suggest that clearance operations followed the incident.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No known underwater surveys document intact remains of the South Haven. Some debris may remain buried in harbor sediments and could potentially be revealed by side-scan sonar.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”south-haven-1866″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the South Haven serves as a reminder of the severe vulnerability of wooden vessels to gales, even in protected harbors, and highlights the ongoing modernization of Chicago’s harbor infrastructure in the late 19th century.
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.
Schooner South Haven (built 1866 – lost November 18, 1886)
Identification & Vessel Details
- Name: South Haven
- Built: 1866 (wooden two-masted schooner)
- Registry: U.S., likely registered out of Chicago or Grand Haven
- Trade: Lumber (consistent with Lake Michigan coastal trade)
Final Voyage & Loss – November 18, 1886
- Incident Date: November 18, 1886
- Cause: Caught in a powerful northeast gale while attempting to anchor in Chicago harbor
- Damage: Dragged anchor and was smashed to matchwood on breakwalls in the 25–30th Street area; her deck was torn off and hull demolished ([source details via Great Lakes Shipwreck Files])
- Crew: The vessel was moored at the time; no casualties recorded
Wreck Disposition & Impact
- Wreck Site: Fragments likely strewn across the lower end of Chicago Harbor; harbor debris logs suggest clearance operations followed
- Archaeological Status:
- No known underwater surveys document intact remains
- Some debris may remain buried in harbor sediments and could be revealed by side-scan sonar
Historical & Urban Maritime Significance
- Reflects severe vulnerability of wooden lumber schooners to spring gales even within protected harbors
- Represents the ongoing harbor modernization of late-19th-century Chicago—highlighting improvements in mooring and breakwall design
- Demonstrates the risk ordinary working vessels faced in non-navigational roles, tied to docks or anchorage
Research & Survey Recommendations
| Objective | Recommended Approach |
|---|---|
| Harbor Records | Review Chicago Port Commission or Army Corps Harbor Master records (1886) for wreck clearance documentation |
| Contemporary Press | Search Chicago Tribune (Nov–Dec 1886) and maritime journals for detailed loss and harbor disruption coverage |
| Construction Archive | Investigate Illinois maritime registries for original build and ownership details |
| Remote-Sensing Survey | Conduct side-scan sonar along breakwall sections near 25th–30th Streets to search for buried hull elements |
| Dive Reconnaissance | If anomalies are detected, perform shallow survey dives to confirm structural wreckage |
Summary
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | South Haven |
| Built | 1866 (wooden lumber schooner) |
| Lost | Nov 18, 1886 – smashed in NE gale at Chicago Harbor |
| Casualties | None – vessel uncrewed and anchored |
| Cargo | Likely lumber |
| Significance | Example of harbor vulnerability to severe weather and evolving infrastructure |