Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sylvanus Marvin
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1842
- Builder: Samuel Farnum (or Farmin), Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: 65 × 18.9 × 6.1 ft; approx. 65 GT
- Registered Tonnage: 65 GT
- Location: Off Racine, Wisconsin
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Two-masted wooden schooner; plain stem.
Description
The Sylvanus Marvin was a small but robust vessel typical of early 1840s Great Lakes freight vessels, primarily used for coastwise cargo delivery.
History
Built in 1842 by Samuel Farnum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Sylvanus Marvin was engaged in coastal trade until its loss in 1851.
Significant Incidents
On May 22, 1851, during a mid-lake passage, the Sylvanus Marvin encountered severe weather and foundered well offshore of Racine. All nine crew members, including Captain Denton, were lost at sea. The vessel was likely overwhelmed by rough conditions, capsizing or sinking before any rescue could be attempted.
Final Disposition
The schooner sank in deep water soon after the distress event, with sparse details and absence of wreckage suggesting a rapid loss. The existence of multiple name variants and conflicting wreck locations indicates confusion among early maritime record-keepers.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Details regarding the current condition of the wreck are limited, and it remains unlocated.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sylvanus-marvin-s-marvin-or-sylvester-marvin-1842″ title=”References & Links”]
The Sylvanus Marvin disappeared offshore in a violent May 1851 storm, leading to the tragic drowning of all aboard. This loss reflects the inherent risk of small schooners navigating Lake Michigan during sudden seasonal storms.
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.
- Built: 1842, by Samuel Farnum (or Farmin), Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner; plain stem
- Dimensions: 65 × 18.9 × 6.1 ft; approx. 65 GT
- Master at Loss: Capt. W. P. Denton (likely out of Chicago)
- Final Voyage & Date of Loss: May 22, 1851
- Loss Location: Off Racine, Wisconsin (sometimes misattributed to near Grand Haven, MI) on Lake Michigan (baillod.com, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Loss Category: Listed simply as “lost”—foundered or overwhelmed at sea; sank well offshore (baillod.com, rlamps.org)
- Crew Fatalities: 9 total, including Capt. Denton (baillod.com)
- Cargo: Unspecified; vessel likely in coastal trade
Incident Summary
On May 22, 1851, during a mid-lake passage, the Sylvanus Marvin encountered severe weather and foundered well offshore of Racine. All nine crew members, including Captain Denton, were lost at sea. Sylvester Marvin was likely overriding plank seams in rough conditions, capsizing or sinking before any rescue could be attempted (baillod.com).
Remarks & Historical Context
- The schooner was small but robust, typical of early 1840s Great Lakes freight vessels—primarily used for coastwise cargo delivery.
- Sparse details and absence of wreckage suggest she sank in deep water soon after the distress event.
- The existence of multiple name variants and conflicting wreck locations indicates confusion among early maritime record-keepers (rlamps.org, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Research Gaps & Recommendations
| Area | Potential Sources |
|---|---|
| Precise sinking location | 1851 editions of Racine Advocate or Milwaukee Sentinel |
| Crew list & loss details | Chicago maritime archives or Customs House logs |
| Weather & lake conditions | 1851 Lake Michigan storm records (e.g., steamboat logs) |
| Loss report | U.S. Lighthouse Board or early Life-Saving Service documents |
Summary
The Sylvanus Marvin disappeared offshore in a violent May 1851 storm, leading to the tragic drowning of all aboard. The details remain scant, but this loss reflects the inherent risk of small schooners navigating Lake Michigan—with minimal safety gear and no power—during sudden seasonal storms.
sylvanus-marvin-s-marvin-or-sylvester-marvin-1842 1851-05-22 10:34:00