Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: SUNBEAM
- Type: Paddle-wheel steamer
- Year Built: 1861
- Builder: Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 398 tons
- Location: Near Eagle Harbor, Michigan
- Original Owners: A.E. Goodrich of Chicago
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The SUNBEAM was a paddle-wheel steamer, a popular design for Great Lakes navigation during the mid-19th century. These vessels were known for their speed and utility, serving both passenger and cargo transportation.
Description
The SUNBEAM was owned by A.E. Goodrich of Chicago and was valued at $40,000, insured for half that amount. It was constructed just two years prior to its tragic loss and represented the cutting-edge maritime engineering of the time.
On its ill-fated journey, the vessel faced severe weather conditions with a fierce gale overwhelming its machinery and sails. Despite the crew’s attempts to maneuver toward safety at Isle Royale, the steamer succumbed to the massive waves and capsized. Observers at Copper Falls Mine described the ship fighting valiantly against the storm before being swamped.
History
The disaster unfolded in the early hours of August 28, 1863. The SUNBEAM departed Ontonagon the evening before, only to encounter a storm that proved too powerful. Witnesses on shore and the surviving wheelsman’s account highlight the devastating series of events: the machinery failing, the upper deck tearing off, and the ship sinking beneath the waves.
Significant Incidents
- Capsized during a violent gale on August 28, 1863, near Eagle Harbor, Michigan.
- Total loss except for one survivor; 34 lives lost.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the SUNBEAM has not been widely documented as discovered or recovered, but its story is preserved in historical accounts and reports from the era. It remains a symbol of the perilous conditions faced by 19th-century mariners on the Great Lakes.
Current Condition & Accessibility
To date, no definitive rediscovery or archaeological documentation of the SUNBEAM wreck has been reported.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sunbeam-1861″ title=”References & Links”]
The SUNBEAM’s loss serves as a stark reminder of the hazardous weather conditions on Lake Superior, particularly during transitional seasons when storms could rapidly intensify.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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