Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sumatra
- Type: Wooden schooner-barge, bulk freight
- Year Built: 1874
- Builder: Quelos & Peck, Black River, Ohio
- Dimensions: Approx. 204 ft × 34 ft × 14 ft; gross tonnage ~845 tons
- Registered Tonnage: ~845 tons
- Location: Off Milwaukee Harbor, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 115240
- Original Owners: Cleveland Transportation Company
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner-barge designed for bulk freight transport.
Description
Description
The Sumatra was a wooden schooner-barge built in 1874, primarily used for transporting railroad rails across the Great Lakes. It was approximately 204 feet long and had a gross tonnage of around 845 tons.
History
History
Originally registered under U.S. flag, the Sumatra was part of the Orient Line via the Cleveland Transportation Company. In 1882, it underwent a major rebuild after a heavy stranding incident in late 1879 on Lake Erie. The vessel continued to serve in freight transport, primarily carrying steel rails.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- 1882: Major rebuild following heavy stranding in late 1879 on Lake Erie.
- September 30, 1896: Foundered in a storm while under tow, resulting in the loss of four crew members.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The Sumatra sank intact off Milwaukee Harbor during a storm on September 30, 1896. Four of the seven crew members perished, while the survivors were rescued by the B.W. Arnold and the U.S. Lifesaving Service. Most of the cargo was recovered that fall, but the wreck remains undocumented with precise coordinates.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Sumatra has not been precisely located but is believed to lie in deep waters off Milwaukee. It is recognized as a notable loss in regional shipping history, and the site may be identifiable through specialized sonar or remote sensing techniques.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sumatra-us-115240″ title=”References & Links”]
Summary
The Sumatra (1874–1896) was a heavily laden schooner-barge carrying railroad rails under tow by the B.W. Arnold. A storm on September 30, 1896, caused the towline to part, leading to the vessel’s foundering off Milwaukee Harbor with the loss of four crew members. The wreck’s historical significance makes it an intriguing candidate for maritime archaeological investigation.
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.
Identification & Construction
- Name: Sumatra
- Official Number: 115240
- Year Built: 1874
- Shipyard: Quelos & Peck, Black River, Ohio
- Type: Wooden schooner-barge, bulk freight
- Dimensions: Approx. 204 ft × 34 ft × 14 ft; gross tonnage ~845 tons (wisconsinshipwrecks.org, linkstothepast.com)
Operational History
- Originally served under U.S. registry, part of the Orient Line via Cleveland Transportation Company (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
- 1882: Major rebuild following heavy stranding in late 1879 on Lake Erie (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- Continued freight service—primarily steel rails—across the Great Lakes.
Final Voyage & Loss
- Date: September 30, 1896 (some sources cite September 4) (wuaa.org).
- Circumstances: While laden with approximately 5,700 tons of railroad rails and under tow by the steamer B.W. Arnold, encountered a severe storm off Milwaukee Harbor in Lake Michigan (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
- Outcome: The towline parted, and the Sumatra was “blown down” and foundered; four of her seven crew were lost. Survivors were rescued by the B.W. Arnold and U.S. Lifesaving Service (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
Wreck Details
- Location: Off Milwaukee Harbor, Lake Michigan
- Casualties: Four crew perished; three survived .
- Condition: The vessel sank intact; crew and cargo were partially rescued (most cargo recovered that fall) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- Post-founding: The wreck has not been documented with precise coordinates, but may lie in deep waters off Milwaukee—historically recognized as a notable loss in regional shipping.
Significance & Research Opportunities
- Represents vulnerabilities of bulk freight schooners under tow during Great Lakes storms.
- Prior rebuild reflects her value and longevity—over 20 years in service.
- Wreck site is potentially identifiable via specialized sonar or remote sensing in Milwaukee waters.
Suggested research actions:
- Review U.S. Lifesaving Service reports for survivor testimony and ship location details.
- Examine Milwaukee Harbor marine logs and salvage records from autumn 1896 for descriptions of recovery actions.
- Consult NOAA or state maritime heritage resources for any side-scan or dive surveys conducted in the area.
Summary
The Sumatra (1874–1896) was a heavily laden schooner-barge carrying railroad rails under tow by B.W. Arnold. A storm on September 30, 1896, caused the towline to part; Sumatra foundered off Milwaukee Harbor with the loss of four crew. Despite the wreck’s historical importance, her remains await precise discovery but remain an intriguing candidate for maritime archaeological investigation.
sumatra-us-115240 1896-09-30 11:22:00