Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Sunnyside (1883)

Explore the wreck of the wooden schooner Sunnyside, lost in a collision near North Fox Island in 1883. A significant piece of Great Lakes maritime history.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Sunnyside
  • Type: Wooden Schooner
  • Year Built:
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions:
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Location: Near North Fox Island, Lake Michigan

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Sunnyside was a wooden schooner engaged in Great Lakes trade, primarily transporting bulk cargo such as lumber, grain, or coal.

Description

The Sunnyside operated on Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior, carrying goods between major ports including Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, and Buffalo. By the 1880s, many schooners like the Sunnyside were either converted into tow barges or remained under sail, competing against the growing steam-powered freighter industry.

History

Collision with the Samuel H. Foster (August 19, 1883)

  • Location: Near North Fox Island, Lake Michigan
  • Involved Vessels:
  • Weather Conditions: Unknown (but could have been foggy or rough, making collision avoidance difficult).
  • Event Details: The Samuel H. Foster was sailing in the same waters as the Sunnyside. For unknown reasons, the two vessels collided near North Fox Island. The Sunnyside sustained significant hull damage and sank. The Samuel H. Foster survived the collision and continued service for over two decades.

Significant Incidents

  • Final Disposition of the Sunnyside: The Sunnyside quickly sank near North Fox Island, in Lake Michigan’s Manitou Passage. It is unknown whether any crew members perished. The Samuel H. Foster did not suffer a fatal injury and remained in service until 1906.

Final Disposition

The wreck site is located in Lake Michigan, near North Fox Island. Given the wooden construction, the Sunnyside’s remains may be heavily deteriorated. Iron fittings, anchors, and fastenings could still be located on the lakebed. North Fox Island waters have been surveyed for shipwrecks, but no confirmed identification of the Sunnyside has been recorded. Future sonar and ROV searches could confirm her exact location and condition.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Legacy and Significance:

Collision as a Leading Cause of Shipwrecks in the 19th Century: Many sailing vessels operated in high-traffic shipping lanes, leading to frequent collisions with other ships. The Sunnyside’s loss reflects the dangers of navigating Lake Michigan’s busy waterways.

North Fox Island – A Historic Shipwreck Zone: The Fox Islands area (North Fox & South Fox) has been a graveyard for numerous vessels, due to heavy ship traffic between Lake Michigan ports, frequent fog, storms, and treacherous currents. Limited navigation aids in the late 19th century contributed to the risks faced by vessels like the Sunnyside.

Resources & Links

The Sunnyside (date unknown – 1883) was a wooden schooner lost in a collision with the Samuel H. Foster near North Fox Island, Lake Michigan. While the fate of her crew remains uncertain, the wreck was one of many lost in the busy shipping lanes of the Great Lakes. Though her exact location has not been confirmed, ongoing maritime research and sonar mapping could one day reveal the final resting place of the Sunnyside.