Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Triumph
- Type: Wooden schooner (two-masted)
- Year Built: 1855
- Builder: Unspecified (likely Great Lakes region)
- Dimensions: Not recorded; further registry research needed
- Registered Tonnage: Not recorded; registry data recommended
- Location: Chicago north pier
- Coordinates: Approximately at Chicago north pier (precise unknown)
- Official Number: Not documented
- Original Owners: Smith & Sons, Chicago, IL
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Triumph was a wooden two-masted schooner, constructed in 1855—presumably within the Great Lakes region. Active in freight service under Captain Peter Peterson by spring 1865 out of Chicago, she was operated by local firm Smith & Sons.
Description
Captain Peterson took command of Triumph in 1865, signaling her operational involvement in regional shipping and commerce.
History
On 16 September 1865, amid stormy or gusty conditions, Triumph was wrecked at Chicago’s north pier—described as “lost at the North pier during the early part of the season.” The vessel likely struck or was driven onto the pier structure, resulting in hull breach and structural failure. There are no records of casualties.
Significant Incidents
- The wreck occurred at the pier and was witnessed during the event. No modern recovery, dive investigation, or precise coordinate data exists.
Final Disposition
No navigational warnings or historic notices have been located regarding the incident. The wreck likely did not remain a persistent hazard.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Not applicable — wreck was on structural pier, not submerged.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”triumph-1855″ title=”References & Links”]
No known crew fatalities. Potential archival sources: Chicago Tribune and Chicago Inter-Ocean (September 1865 issues) for firsthand accounts or survivor interviews.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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