Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Wisconsin (1833)

Explore the wreck of the Wisconsin, a wooden schooner lost in a storm at Death’s Door, Lake Michigan, in 1847. A significant piece of maritime history.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Wisconsin
  • Type: Wooden schooner
  • Year Built: 1833
  • Builder: A. Harndt & Co., Green Bay, Wisconsin
  • Dimensions: 75 ft x 24 ft x 9 ft (22.9 m x 7.3 m x 2.7 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 133 tons
  • Location: Porte des Mortes (Death’s Door), Lake Michigan
  • Official Number: None
  • Original Owners: None
  • Number of Masts: None

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Wisconsin was a wooden schooner, a common type of sailing vessel used on the Great Lakes during the early 19th century. These ships were designed for cargo transport, primarily hauling lumber, grain, and other goods between ports in the growing Midwest.

Description

The Wisconsin is reputed to be the first vessel built in Green Bay, Wisconsin, marking an important milestone in the region’s early shipbuilding industry. Constructed by A. Harndt & Co. in 1833, the vessel was a relatively small schooner, typical of the era’s merchant ships. It was used primarily for carrying lumber, an essential commodity for the growing settlements around the Great Lakes.

During the mid-1800s, schooners like the Wisconsin were essential for trade and transportation, as roads and railways were still limited. Vessels of this type commonly sailed between Chicago, Green Bay, and other developing ports, moving supplies and raw materials for construction and industry. The Great Lakes were notorious for unpredictable weather, and many ships met their fate in violent storms, especially in the treacherous waters around Porte des Mortes, also known as “Death’s Door.”

History

On September 2, 1847, the Wisconsin encountered a storm while navigating near Porte des Mortes, a perilous passage between the Door Peninsula and Washington Island, Wisconsin. The vessel reportedly went ashore and was declared a total loss. Fortunately, there was no loss of life. Given the ship’s age and the extent of damage, it was likely abandoned rather than salvaged.

Significant Incidents

  • September 2, 1847: The Wisconsin was lost in a storm at Porte des Mortes.

Final Disposition

There is no confirmed discovery of the wreckage of the Wisconsin, and it is presumed that any remaining structure has been scattered or buried due to natural forces over time.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No known modern obstructions or hazards associated with this wreck.

Resources & Links

The Wisconsin holds historical significance as one of the earliest vessels built in Green Bay and as a representation of the vital lumber trade on the Great Lakes in the early 19th century. While its wreck has not been located, its loss at Death’s Door highlights the dangers faced by early mariners navigating the Great Lakes.