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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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