Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Traveler
- Type: Sidewheel Steamer
- Year Built: 1852
- Builder: J.L. Wolverton, Newport, Michigan
- Dimensions: 199.11 ft (60.7 m) x 29 ft (8.8 m) x 10.1 ft (3.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 603 tons (old measurement)
- Depth at Wreck Site: 6.1 m / 20 ft
- Location: Eagle Harbor, Lake Superior
- Coordinates: 47° 27.557′ N, 88° 09.133′ W – unconfirmed
- Official Number: [Unknown – archival search ongoing]
- Original Owners: Eber B. Wood & Samuel Ward (original); later John Hutchings, Detroit
- Number of Masts: [Unknown]
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Traveler was a wooden-hulled sidewheel steamer typical of mid-19th century Great Lakes design. Built with a single deck and powered by side-mounted paddle wheels, she served both passenger and cargo routes. Her shallow draft and long hull were optimized for inland navigation and coastal service.
Description
The Traveler was a wooden-hulled sidewheel steamer typical of mid-19th century Great Lakes design. Built with a single deck and powered by side-mounted paddle wheels, she served both passenger and cargo routes. Her shallow draft and long hull were optimized for inland navigation and coastal service.
History
Commissioned in 1852, Traveler was built at Newport, Michigan, by shipbuilder J.L. Wolverton. Her early service included freight and passenger runs between Detroit and other Great Lakes ports. She experienced several incidents: a broken shaft in April 1854, a collision with the schooner Kirk in May, and a fire at Chicago in July 1854. Ownership transferred multiple times, including to Stephan Clement (Chicago) in 1855 and to John Hutchings (Detroit) by 1862.
Traveler met her final fate on 17 August 1865 when a fire broke out while she was moored at Eagle Harbor, Michigan. The fire destroyed the vessel. Details regarding loss of life or cargo remain undocumented in available sources.
Significant Incidents
- April 1854: Broken shaft.
- May 1854: Collision with the schooner Kirk.
- July 1854: Fire at Chicago.
- 17 August 1865: Fire at Eagle Harbor leading to total loss.
Final Disposition
Burned at dock at Eagle Harbor, Lake Superior, 17 August 1865. The hull was a total loss. Portions of the wreck are submerged in shallow gravel at the site.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The site has been documented by local divers and surveyed for 3D imaging. The exact date of formal discovery is unknown. Divers should be aware of mixed wreckage at the site including unrelated 20th-century debris.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”traveler-1852″ title=”References & Links”]
Access to the wreck site is by boat, with generally good visibility. The wreck is partially obscured by gravel and sediment, lying at a depth of 20 ft (6.1 m). Emergency contacts include USCG Sector Sault Ste. Marie and Keweenaw County Sheriff. No permits are required for non-invasive recreational diving.
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
Other Names: Traveler
Official Number: [Unknown – archival search ongoing]
Registry: U.S.
Vessel Type: Sidewheel Steamer
Builder: J.L. Wolverton, Newport, Michigan
Year Built: 1852
Dimensions: 199.11 ft (60.7 m) x 29 ft (8.8 m) x 10.1 ft (3.1 m)
Tonnage: 603 tons (old measurement)
Cargo on Final Voyage: [Unknown – archival data pending]
Date of Loss: 17 August 1865
Location: Eagle Harbor, Lake Superior
Coordinates: [47° 27.557′ N, 88° 09.133′ W – unconfirmed]
Depth: 20 ft (6.1 m)
Home Port: Detroit, Michigan
Owners: Eber B. Wood & Samuel Ward (original); later John Hutchings, Detroit
Crew: [Unknown]
Casualties: [Unknown – further research required]
Description
The Traveller was a wooden-hulled sidewheel steamer typical of mid-19th century Great Lakes design. Built with a single deck and powered by side-mounted paddle wheels, she served both passenger and cargo routes. Her shallow draft and long hull were optimized for inland navigation and coastal service.
History
Commissioned in 1852, Traveller was built at Newport, Michigan, by shipbuilder J.L. Wolverton. Her early service included freight and passenger runs between Detroit and other Great Lakes ports. She experienced several incidents: a broken shaft in April 1854, a collision with the schooner Kirk in May, and a fire at Chicago in July 1854. Ownership transferred multiple times, including to Stephan Clement (Chicago) in 1855 and to John Hutchings (Detroit) by 1862.
Traveller met her final fate on 17 August 1865 when a fire broke out while she was moored at Eagle Harbor, Michigan. The fire destroyed the vessel. Details regarding loss of life or cargo remain undocumented in available sources.
Final Dispositions
Burned at dock at Eagle Harbor, Lake Superior, 17 August 1865. The hull was a total loss. Portions of the wreck are submerged in shallow gravel at the site.
Located By & Date Found
The site has been documented by local divers and surveyed for 3D imaging. The exact date of formal discovery is unknown.
Notmars & Advisories
None noted officially. Divers should be aware of mixed wreckage at site including unrelated 20th-century debris.
Dive Information
Access: Boat
Entry Point: Eagle Harbor
Conditions: Generally good visibility; site partially obscured by gravel and sediment
Depth Range: 20 ft (6.1 m)
Emergency Contacts: USCG Sector Sault Ste. Marie; Keweenaw County Sheriff
Permits: Not required for non-invasive recreational diving
Dive Support: Limited in area; divers should arrange support from Houghton or Copper Harbor
Crew & Casualty Memorials
No formal casualty or survivor list has been located. Further archival work required. Suggested searches:
Documented Statements & Extracts
“Traveller, 603, Newport, 1852, burned at Chicago in 1854, and at Eagle Harbor, 1865.” — History of St. Clair County, Michigan
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Registry and enrollment data not yet located. U.S. Enrollment ledgers and insurance casualty records pending archival review.
Site Documentation & Imaging (Brendan Baillod Collection)
Image Gallery
3D Model
A 3D model of the wreck is available at 3DShipwrecks.org. Key features visible include hull framing, a sidewheel bearing support, and fire-damaged planking.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL)
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
- Newspapers.com
- Find A Grave
References
- History of St. Clair County, Michigan (1883), p. 431
- Great Lakes Rex WordPress Archive
- ShotlineDiving.com
- 3DShipwrecks.org – Traveller
NOAA Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: Traveler
Official Number: [Pending archival discovery]
Coordinates: [47° 27.557′ N, 88° 09.133′ W – unconfirmed]
Depth: 20 ft (6.1 m)
Location Description: Eagle Harbor, Keweenaw County, Michigan
Vessel Type: Sidewheel Steamer
Material: Wood
Dimensions: 199.11 ft x 29 ft x 10.1 ft; 603 tons
Condition: Partial remains; burned hull
Cause of Loss: Fire at dock
Discovery Date: [Unknown – pre-2000 dive activity suspected]
Discovered By: Unknown local divers
Method: Dive and photographic survey
Legal Notes: Not registered; no known claims
Hazards: Mixed debris from other wrecks
Permits Required: No (non-invasive diving only)
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