Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sunrise
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1862
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length ~162 ft (49.2 m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: ~162 tons
- Location: Off Chicago, Lake Michigan
- Original Owners: Captain Buchanan and Henry Scheele, Milwaukee
- Number of Masts: Dual-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A mid-19th-century wooden commercial schooner, rated at approximately 162 tons. Designed for freight—common cargoes included lumber or general goods. Typical rigging allowed for efficient sail handling with a small crew.
Description
The Sunrise was a wooden schooner built in 1862, primarily used for transporting freight across the Great Lakes. Its design featured dual masts, which facilitated sailing efficiency, making it suitable for the commercial shipping demands of the time.
History
The Sunrise had a service history typical of wooden schooners of its era, engaging in the transport of various goods across the Great Lakes. It was particularly noted for carrying lumber and general cargo, reflecting the economic activities of the late 19th century.
Significant Incidents
- On May 21, 1896, during dense conditions, the Sunrise cut between the steamer W. H. Gratwick and its tow (the whaleback barge No. 133). The barge struck the schooner below the waterline, severing her bow.
- The schooner’s crew of eight barely launched the yawl and were rescued by crew aboard No. 133. No lives were lost.
Final Disposition
The bow of the Sunrise was cut off, and the vessel sank rapidly, with no salvage attempted. The estimated value of the vessel at the time of loss was around $8,000, and it was reportedly uninsured.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck occurred in deep offshore waters near the Chicago harbor entrance; however, the exact site is not recorded in current databases. Likely, no significant remains are accessible, as the wooden structure and dispersed debris sank to the lakebed.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sunrise-1862″ title=”References & Links”]
The Sunrise offers a compelling snapshot of late-19th-century sail-steam interaction on Lake Michigan, illustrating collision hazards and the vulnerability of wooden hulls in mixed traffic. While no physical wreck remains accessible, historical documentation and archival investigation could yield deeper insight into the incident’s regulatory and operational consequences.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sunrise
- Built: 1862, wood-built schooner, dual-masted
- Tonnage: ~162 tons (as of loss) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Loss date: May 21, 1896
- Location: Off Chicago, Lake Michigan, en route to Cockburn Island (Ontario)
Vessel Type & Description
A mid‑19th‑century wooden commercial schooner, rated at approximately 162 tons. Designed for freight—common cargoes included lumber or general goods. Typical rigging allowed for efficient sail handling with a small crew.
Final Voyage & Collision
- Departed Chicago, bound for Cockburn Island, loaded with “light” (likely empty or ballast) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- On May 21, 1896, during dense conditions, the Sunrise cut between the steamer W. H. Gratwick and its tow (the whaleback barge No. 133). The barge struck the schooner below the waterline, severing her bow (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
- The schooner’s crew of eight barely launched the yawl and were rescued by crew aboard No. 133. No lives were lost (wisconsinshipwrecks.org, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Final Disposition
- The “bow was cut off” and the vessel sank rapidly, with no salvage attempted. Crew rescued.
- Estimated value around $8,000; reportedly uninsured (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
Location & Wreck Condition
- Wreck occurred in deep offshore waters near Chicago harbor entrance; exact site not recorded in current databases.
- Likely no significant remains accessible—wooden structure and dispersed debris sank to lakebed.
Research Gaps & Next Steps
| Research Area | Action |
|---|---|
| Archival Newspapers | Examine Chicago Tribune, Chicago Daily News (May 22–24, 1896) for collision details, rescue reports, legal action or inquiry coverage. |
| Coast Guard & Marine Reports | Source Steamboat Inspection Service or Lifeboat Station records for formal incident documentation. |
| Owner Records | Trace ownership: Captain Buchanan and Henry Scheele, Milwaukee—seek vessel registries or transaction archives in Wisconsin state marine filings. |
| Hydrographic Survey | Side-scan/magnetometer scan offshore Chicago entrance for scattered wooden debris field. |
| Environmental Context | Analyze 1896 shipping conditions (e.g. fog banks, navigational aids availability) to contextualize the accident. |
Summary Profile
- Name: Sunrise
- Built: 1862 wooden schooner (~162 t)
- Lost: May 21, 1896 via collision in Lake Michigan
- Casualties: None; crew rescued by barge crew
- Cargo: Light/ballast
- Location: Offshore Chicago; sank near steamer/tug convoy route
Significance
- A notable case of navigational risk involving wooden sailing vessels and steam-powered towing convoys.
- Reflects transitional era complexity when sail and steam coexisted on Great Lakes trade routes.
- Valuable for historical navigation safety studies and for framing early maritime regulation evolution.
Resources & Links
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks summary entry (Sunrise collision with W. H. Gratwick’s tow) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files record including brief loss summary (collision, light cargo, none of 8 lost) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Conclusion
The Sunrise offers a compelling snapshot of late-19th century sail-steam interaction on Lake Michigan, illustrating collision hazards and the vulnerability of wooden hulls in mixed traffic. While no physical wreck remains accessible, historical documentation and archival investigation could yield deeper insight into the incident’s regulatory and operational consequences. I can assist with archival sourcing, request drafting, and planning of research steps—let me know how you’d like to proceed.
sunrise-1862 1896-05-21 16:57:00