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