Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Two Katies
- Type: Wooden scow-schooner, three-masted
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: Kelly & Roisay, Racine, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Length: 88 ft (26.8 m); Beam: 18 ft (5.5 m); Depth of hold: 6 ft (1.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 74 GT
- Location: Off Whitefish Bay, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 24980
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Two Katies was a three-masted wooden scow-schooner, a type of flat-bottomed sailing vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes for transporting bulk cargo.
Description
The Two Katies was built in 1873 in Racine, Wisconsin, by Kelly & Roisay. Designed for short-haul freight operations, she primarily carried hardwood lumber to various ports around Lake Michigan.
History
Her last known registration was in April 1877, although she was still listed in the vessel registry in 1879, indicating she remained active after the incident.
Significant Incidents
- On October 18, 1878, the Two Katies collided with the steam propeller Waverly during a storm, causing her to sink to her decks.
- The crew survived by standing on top of the cargo as the Waverly took her in tow.
- She was dragged 15 miles to Bailey’s Harbor, where she was left beached in shallow water.
Final Disposition
The Two Katies was presumed abandoned in Bailey’s Harbor, Wisconsin. No confirmed modern discovery of wreckage exists, and it is likely that her hull was abandoned and left to deteriorate.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No confirmed discovery of wreckage has been reported. The site is known for numerous shipwrecks, and the condition of the Two Katies remains uncertain.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”two-katies-two-kates-us-24980″ title=”References & Links”]
The Two Katies represents the many lost lumber schooners of the Great Lakes, with her collision during a storm leading to her abandonment and unknown fate.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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