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