Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: W.H. Gilcher
- Type: Steel-hulled bulk freighter
- Year Built: 1891
- Builder: Cleveland Shipbuilding Co., Cleveland, OH
- Dimensions: 301.5 ft (91.8 m) L × 41.2 ft beam; Depth of hold:
- Registered Tonnage: 2,414 GRT, ~3,000 tons deadweight (coal cargo)
- Location: Lake Michigan, near South Manitou and Fox Islands
- Official Number: US 81326
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Steel-hulled bulk freighter, one of the first on the Great Lakes.
Description
Description
The W.H. Gilcher was a steel-hulled bulk freighter built by Cleveland Shipbuilding Co. It was launched on December 18, 1890, and officially named in March 1891. The vessel measured 301.5 feet in length and had a beam of 41.2 feet, with a registered tonnage of 2,414 gross tons and a deadweight capacity of approximately 3,000 tons for coal cargo.
History
History
The W.H. Gilcher had a notable service life, setting freight records during its maiden voyages in 1891-1892 by carrying 3,255 tons of coal and over 113,000 bushels of grain. However, it faced incidents such as grounding at Point Edward in April 1892 and mechanical failures in Duluth.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- Grounded in April 1892 at Point Edward.
- Mechanical failures reported in Duluth.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The W.H. Gilcher departed Buffalo on October 26, 1892, for Milwaukee with 3,080 tons of coal. It was last sighted passing the Straits of Mackinac on October 28 before entering stormy Lake Michigan. The vessel foundered in a violent gale, resulting in the loss of all 18 crew members, whose bodies were later recovered during winter. The wreckage was washed ashore near South Manitou and Fox Islands.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The underwater wreck remains undiscovered and is considered the largest undiscovered wreck in Lake Michigan as of 2024.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”w-h-gilcher-us-81326″ title=”References & Links”]
Summary
- Name: SS W.H. Gilcher
- Built: 1891, Cleveland (steel freighter)
- Lost: October 28-29, 1892, in Lake Michigan gale
- Cargo: 3,080 tons of coal
- Casualties: All 18 crew lost
- Significance: Landmark case in early steel ship failure; still one of the largest unidentified wrecks in Lake Michigan
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.
Overview & Construction
- Builder: Cleveland Shipbuilding Co., Cleveland, OH (hull #10)
- Launched: Dec 18, 1890; officially named March 1891 (Wikipedia)
- Type: Steel-hulled bulk freighter (one of the first on the Great Lakes)
- Dimensions & Capacity: 301.5 ft L × 41.2 ft beam; 2,414 GRT, ~3,000 tons deadweight (coal cargo) (Wikipedia)
Service Life Highlights
- Maiden Voyages (1891–’92): Set freight records—carried 3,255 tons of coal and over 113,000 bu of grain (Wikipedia)
- Incidents: Grounded April 1892 at Point Edward; mechanical failures in Duluth (Wikipedia)
Final Voyage: October 28–29, 1892
- Route: Departed Buffalo Oct 26, 1892, for Milwaukee with 3,080 tons of coal (Wikipedia)
- Last Sighting: Passed Straits of Mackinac Oct 28; entered stormy Lake Michigan (michiganmysteries.com)
- Loss: Foundered in a violent gale—no survivors; wreckage washed ashore near South Manitou and Fox Islands (Wikipedia)
- Crew Lost: All 18 aboard perished, bodies recovered during winter (Wikipedia)
Impact & Aftermath
- The twin losses of steel-built vessels Western Reserve (Aug 1892) and Gilcher fueled major concerns about brittle, Bessemer-process steel in shipbuilding (michiganmysteries.com)
- Underwater wreck remains undiscovered and are the largest undiscovered wreck in Lake Michigan as of 2024 (michiganmysteries.com)
Explore the Story
The story of SS W.H. Gilcher – a lost steel freighter in Lake Michigan
This video offers a dramatic retelling of her loss and the steel weakness theories that followed.
Research & Exploration Opportunities
| Focus Area | Recommended Steps |
|---|---|
| Archival Insight | Study period articles in Sandusky Register, Chicago Tribune, Traverse City Record for last cargo and survivor reports. |
| Wreck Search Prep | Use last known storm location (S. Manitou/Fox Islands area) to map a search grid. |
| Remote-Sensing Survey | Conduct side-scan sonar and ROV transects in likely wreck zone. |
| Metallurgical Study | Compare historical plate qualities with modern steel to assess brittle failure risk. |
| Public Outreach | Would you like help with sonar planning, archival content gathering, or proposing a joint dive/research mission? |
Summary:
- Name: SS W.H. Gilcher
- Built: 1891, Cleveland (steel freighter)
- Lost: Oct 28–29, 1892, in Lake Michigan gale
- Cargo: 3,080 tons of coal
- Casualties: All 18 crew lost
- Significance: Landmark case in early steel ship failure; still one of the largest unidentified wrecks in Lake Michigan