Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Spray
- Type: Wooden two or three-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1861
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Michigan, between Racine, WI and Holland, MI
- Number of Masts: Two or three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden two or three-masted schooner, built circa 1861.
Likely carried light general cargo (possibly agricultural produce or lumber) between ports such as Racine (WI) and Holland (MI).
Description
The schooner Spray was a wooden vessel constructed in 1861. It was designed for carrying light general cargo, primarily between ports on Lake Michigan.
History
The Spray was en route from Racine, Wisconsin, to Holland, Michigan when it encountered a sudden squall in late May 1875. This weather phenomenon was common during this time of year and posed significant risks to small vessels.
Significant Incidents
- Date: Late May 1875 (specific day not recorded)
- Weather Conditions: Encountered a sudden squall that capsized small vessels.
- Outcome: Spray capsized swiftly; all 3 crew members aboard presumed lost. The schooner’s floating wreckage was discovered later, though there is no record of any survivors or formal salvage efforts.
- Casualties: Official entry notes “3 [all],” indicating the entire crew perished.
Final Disposition
The Spray capsized and sank in open waters. Its wreckage likely drifted before sinking, and remains unrecovered. There is no documented recovery or remains, and no Notices to Mariners have been issued regarding its status.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site of the Spray is presumed to lie offshore between Racine and Holland in water deep enough to have sunk the vessel swiftly. Modern sonar surveys might identify unrecorded shallow wreckage or debris fields.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”spray-1861″ title=”References & Links”]
The schooner Spray capsized in a late-May 1875 squall while carrying a small crew from Racine to Holland. She sank rapidly, claiming the lives of all aboard. The floating remnants were later seen, but no formal recovery occurred. Her loss illustrates typical mid-19th-century squall hazards on Lake Michigan, and she now rests unlocated at the bottom—her story preserved through a single archival note.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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