Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Thomas C. Wilson
- Type: two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1868
- Builder: T. Wilson
- Dimensions: Length: 59 ft (18 m); Beam: 15 ft (4.6 m); Depth: 5 ft (1.5 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 31 tons
- Location: Near Egg Harbor, Green Bay, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 24579
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Thomas C. Wilson was a two-masted wooden schooner, designed for light cargo transport, particularly agricultural products like potatoes, which were commonly shipped across the Great Lakes to markets in larger cities.
Description
Constructed in 1868 in Black River, Ohio, the Thomas C. Wilson was a relatively small schooner, typical of many vessels operating on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. With a shallow draft and moderate size, the schooner was ideal for accessing smaller ports and navigating shallower waters in regions like Green Bay. The vessel was rebuilt in 1880, suggesting that it was well-maintained and continued to serve in the regional trade for several decades.
History
On July 1882, the Thomas C. Wilson was involved in a collision with the steam barge Gordon Campbell off the coast of Racine, Wisconsin. The schooner sank as a result of the collision but was later recovered and repaired, demonstrating both the resilience of wooden vessels and the importance of the schooner in the Great Lakes cargo trade.
In November 1902, while carrying a cargo of potatoes, the Thomas C. Wilson encountered a severe storm near Egg Harbor in Green Bay, a part of Lake Michigan. The schooner was driven ashore by the storm and became disabled. The harsh conditions of the following winter, including the relentless wave and ice action, tore the vessel to pieces, rendering it a total loss. This was a common fate for grounded vessels on the Great Lakes, as winter ice could easily destroy stranded ships that were not salvaged in time.
Significant Incidents
There were no reported fatalities associated with the loss of the Thomas C. Wilson. The crew likely escaped after the schooner was driven ashore, a common outcome when ships grounded close to populated or accessible areas.
Final Disposition
The Thomas C. Wilson was destroyed by wave and ice action during the winter following her grounding near Egg Harbor in 1902. The vessel was declared a total loss, and there are no records of salvage operations.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Nil return.
Resources & Links
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The Thomas C. Wilson is representative of the small schooners that formed the backbone of local and regional trade on the Great Lakes in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Her career, marked by a collision in 1882 and her ultimate loss in 1902, reflects the challenges faced by mariners navigating the often treacherous waters of Lake Michigan and Green Bay. The vessel’s role in transporting agricultural products like potatoes highlights the importance of Great Lakes shipping in supporting the economy and food supply of the burgeoning Midwestern cities. Despite her modest size, the Thomas C. Wilson played a crucial role in the daily commerce that sustained life along the Great Lakes.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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