Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Transit
- Type: Wooden schooner, 2-mast
- Year Built: 1854
- Builder: H. Rand, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Length: 82 ft (25 m); Beam: 23 ft (7 m); Depth of hold: 7 ft (2.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 92 tons
- Location: Kewaunee Harbor, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 24231
- Original Owners: Peter & Elias Oleson
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Transit was a wooden two-masted schooner, designed primarily for the lumber trade on the Great Lakes.
Description
The Transit was built in 1854 by H. Rand in Manitowoc, Wisconsin. She was a versatile and durable vessel, typical of mid-19th-century Great Lakes schooners, built to withstand the harsh conditions of inland seas. The Transit regularly carried hardwood lumber between ports along Lake Michigan and beyond.
History
Owned by Peter & Elias Oleson at the time of her loss, the Transit served for nearly four decades, reflecting the long service life typical of sturdy wooden schooners of her era.
Significant Incidents
- September 23, 1891: The Transit struck a newly constructed north pier extension at Kewaunee Harbor, which was not marked with navigational lights, leading to significant damage.
- Despite efforts to save her, the vessel was declared a total wreck shortly after the collision.
Final Disposition
The Transit was declared a total loss after the collision. Attempts to tow her into Lake Michigan and abandon her were unsuccessful as she drifted ashore and eventually broke apart. No modern salvage efforts have been reported.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No confirmed wreck site has been identified to date. Potential wreckage may remain near Kewaunee Harbor, Lake Michigan.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”transit-us-24231″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Transit served the Great Lakes for nearly 40 years, a testament to the ruggedness of wooden schooner construction. Her loss in 1891 at Kewaunee Harbor underscores the navigational challenges faced by mariners in an era when infrastructure changes were sometimes poorly communicated or marked. Despite her tragic end, the Transit represents an important part of Wisconsin’s maritime heritage.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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