Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Walrus
- Type: Wooden schooner (two-masted)
- Year Built: 1857
- Builder: Stephens & Laffrienier, Cleveland, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length 136 ft (41.5 m); Beam 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth of hold 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Gray’s Reef, NW of Beaver Islands, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 26225
- Original Owners: Halsted & Jacobs
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Walrus was a mid-19th-century wooden schooner, constructed from white oak—preferable for Great Lakes vessels—at Stephens & Laffrienier in Cleveland in 1857. She featured a two-masted rig and was typical of the agile schooner design widely used for bulk cargo like grain and lumber along regional trade routes.
Description
The Walrus served for over a decade, operating out of Chicago and transporting cargo such as barley across Lake Michigan. In 1862, she received major repairs and underwent a rebuild during 1866–67, suggesting continued value and use in regional trade.
On her final voyage—bound from Chicago to Oswego—she carried 16,500 bushels of barley when, on 7 November 1868, she ran aground on Gray’s Reef amid dense fog. The impact holed the hull, causing the schooner to founder; she sank in a relatively exposed shoal area and was soon broken up by wave action.
History
The Walrus suffered grounding and hull breach in poor visibility conditions (fog). She was quickly dismembered by wave action post-sinking, leading to a total loss. No human casualties were reported.
Significant Incidents
- Grounded on Gray’s Reef in fog on 7 November 1868.
- Holed hull led to sinking and subsequent breakup by wave action.
Final Disposition
The wreck is commonly referred to as the Gray’s Reef Wreck and identified based on archival records matched to field observations and 3D modeling by 3DShipwrecks. The wreck’s fragmented remains align with historical descriptions of structure and cargo but remain circumstantial due to limited visible remains.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No official navigational warnings (“Notmars”) are specifically recorded for this site. However, the shallow reef area and frequent fog hazards historically marked Gray’s Reef as a dangerous passage, underlining the site’s inherent navigational risk.
Access: Boat (site lies offshore on a reef area)
Entry Point: Likely via nearest harbor on Beaver Islands or mainland Michigan (specific harbor details require further research)
Conditions: Historically shallow reef zone, potential strong currents, limited visibility due to croncular sediment shifts
Depth Range: Undocumented; presumed shallow—possibly under 20 ft (6 m) given reef characteristics
Emergency Contacts: Nearest Coast Guard station (e.g., Traverse City USCG), local marine rescue units
Permits: Not documented; diver discretion advised, and adherence to historic preservation laws strongly encouraged
Dive Support: Local charter services around Beaver Islands / northern Lake Michigan could serve divers—specific businesses require location-based research.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”walrus-grays-reef-wreck” title=”References & Links”]
No recorded fatalities occurred with the loss of the Walrus. Consequently, there are no documented memorials, obituaries, or Findagrave links associated with the crew. Further genealogical or archival research would be needed to uncover crew names or survivors if desired.
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.
Identification Card (Site Style)
Other Names: Gray’s Reef Wreck
Official Number: 26225
Registry: United States
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner (two-masted)
Builder: Stephens & Laffrienier, Cleveland, Ohio
Year Built: 1857
Dimensions: Length 136 ft (41.5 m), Beam 26 ft (7.9 m), Depth (hold) 12 ft (3.7 m)
Tonnage: Not documented in primary sources
Cargo on Final Voyage: 16,500 bushels of barley
Date of Loss: 7 November 1868 (ran aground in fog)
Location: Gray’s Reef, NW of Beaver Islands, Lake Michigan
Coordinates: Not specified in available records
Depth: Not formally documented (relative shallow reef zone)
Home Port: Out of Chicago (at time of loss)
Owners: Halsted & Jacobs
Crew: Not specified; presumed survived (no loss of life)
Casualties: None reported
Description
The Walrus was a mid‑19th-century wooden schooner, constructed from white oak—preferrable for Great Lakes vessels—at Stephens & Laffrienier in Cleveland in 1857. She featured a two‑masted rig and was typical of the agile schooner design widely used for bulk cargo like grain and lumber along regional trade routes.
History
The Walrus served for over a decade, operating out of Chicago and transporting cargo such as barley across Lake Michigan. In 1862, she received major repairs and underwent a rebuild during 1866–67, suggesting continued value and use in regional trade
On her final voyage—bound from Chicago to Oswego—she carried 16,500 bushels of barley when, on 7 November 1868, she ran aground on Gray’s Reef amid dense fog. The impact holed the hull, causing the schooner to founder; she sank in a relatively exposed shoal area and was soon broken up by wave action.
Final Dispositions
The Walrus suffered grounding and hull breach in poor visibility conditions (fog). She was quickly dismembered by wave action post-sinking, leading to a total loss. No human casualties were reported
Located By & Date Found
The wreck is commonly referred to as the Gray’s Reef Wreck and identified based on archival records matched to field observations and 3D modeling by 3DShipwrecks. The wreck’s fragmented remains align with historical descriptions of structure and cargo but remain circumstantial due to limited visible remains
Notmars & Advisories
No official navigational warnings (“Notmars”) are specifically recorded for this site. However, the shallow reef area and frequent fog hazards historically marked Gray’s Reef as a dangerous passage, underlining the site’s inherent navigational risk.
Dive Information
Access: **Boat** (site lies offshore on a reef area)
Entry Point: Likely via nearest harbor on Beaver Islands or mainland Michigan (specific harbor details require further research)
Conditions: Historically shallow reef zone, potential strong currents, limited visibility due to croncular sediment shifts
Depth Range: Undocumented; presumed **shallow**—possibly under 20 ft (6 m) given reef characteristics
Emergency Contacts: Nearest Coast Guard station (e.g., Traverse City USCG), local marine rescue units
Permits: Not documented; diver discretion advised, and adherence to historic preservation laws strongly encouraged
Dive Support: Local charter services around Beaver Islands / northern Lake Michigan could serve divers—specific businesses require location‑based research
Crew & Casualty Memorials
No recorded fatalities occurred with the loss of the Walrus. Consequently, there are no documented memorials, obituaries, or Findagrave links associated with the crew. Further genealogical or archival research would be needed to uncover crew names or survivors if desired.
Documented Statements & Extracts
“Bound Chicago for Oswego, she ran on Gray’s Reef in a heavy fog, was holed and sank in an exposed position. She was broken up by wave action within a few days.”
Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails
Official documentation confirms registry and official number (US, 26225). Registration and insurance details may reside in mid‑19th-century maritime insurance archives and Great Lakes shipping registers, perhaps housed at regional historical societies or state archives. These require archival consultation beyond online sources.
Site Documentation & Imaging
A 3D model of the wreck was produced in model year 2021 by 3DShipwrecks, visualizing remaining structural fragments and aiding identification. No NOAA VR or other museum documentation has been located online.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU/HCGL): Walrus
- GreatLakesShips.org: Walrus data
- 3DShipwrecks — Shipwreck Walrus
References
- “Shipwreck Walrus aka Gray’s Reef Wreck,” 3DShipwrecks.org
- “WALRUS,” Michigan Mysteries (wood construction, builder)
- “WALRUS” entry, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (WordPress) — includes loss details, cargo, date, and ownership
- “Models by Thumbnail,” 3DShipwrecks.org — model year info
NOAA/WHS Shipwreck Record Card
Other Names: Gray’s Reef Wreck
Official Number: 26225
Coordinates: Not documented
Depth: Not documented; likely shallow reef zone
Location Description: Gray’s Reef, NW of Beaver Islands, Lake Michigan
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner, two-masted
Material: Wood (white oak)
Dimensions: 136 ft × 26 ft × 12 ft (41.5 m × 7.9 m × 3.7 m)
Condition: Fragmented; broken up by wave action
Cause of Loss: Grounding in fog
Discovery Date: Not formally recorded (model created 2021) :contentReference[oaicite:25]{index=25}
Discovered By: Not specified; identification via archival matching and modeling
Method: 3D modeling, archival comparison
Legal Notes: None documented
Hazards: Shallow reef; navigational risk
Permits Required: Not documented