Shotline Diving

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Wollin US 26349

Explore the wreck of the Wollin, a wooden schooner lost in 1897, known for its long service on the Great Lakes and dramatic final voyage.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Wollin
  • Type: Wooden Schooner
  • Year Built: 1854
  • Builder: J.M. Jones, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Dimensions: Length 84 ft (25.6 m); Beam 19 ft (5.8 m); Depth of hold 5 ft (1.5 m)
  • Registered Tonnage: 49 gross; 46 net tons
  • Location: 2 miles north of Sheboygan, Wisconsin
  • Official Number: 26349
  • Original Owners: Captain Bergman, Holland, Michigan

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Wollin is classified as a wooden schooner, a type of sailing vessel characterized by its two or more masts and a fore-and-aft rig.

Description

The Wollin was built in 1854 and served primarily in coastal trading, transporting lumber and agricultural goods across the Great Lakes. Over her 43 seasons, she became a notable vessel in the region.

History

The Wollin was constructed by J.M. Jones in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and was designed for coastal trading. She underwent two major rebuilds in 1872 and 1878, which extended her operational life. By the late 19th century, wooden schooners like the Wollin were being replaced by steamships, marking her as one of the last of her kind.

Significant Incidents

  • April 29, 1897: The Wollin was driven ashore in a storm near Sheboygan, Wisconsin, while carrying wood and potatoes.
  • The crew of five was rescued by the Lifesaving Service under challenging conditions.

Final Disposition

The Wollin was declared a total loss after being driven ashore. The wreck is believed to be buried under shifting sands near the shoreline of Lake Michigan.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Little remains of the Wollin today due to her small size and long exposure to the elements. Side-scan sonar or magnetometer surveys may help locate remnants of her iron fittings, ballast stones, or hull fragments.

Resources & Links

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The Wollin represents a significant piece of Great Lakes maritime history, showcasing the resilience of wooden schooners and the dangers faced by sailors in the region. Her legacy continues to be remembered through research and exploration.

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.

Shipwreck Report: Wollin (1854–1897)

Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name: Wollin (also seen as Wallin)
  • Official Number: 26349
  • Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
  • Built: 1854, by J.M. Jones, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Final Location: 2 miles north of Sheboygan, Wisconsin (Lake Michigan)
  • Date Lost: April 29, 1897
  • Cause: Driven ashore in a storm
  • Final Cargo: Wood and potatoes
  • Loss of Life: None of the 5 crew members
  • Owner at Loss: Captain Bergman, Holland, Michigan
  • Master at Loss: Captain Bergman
  • Specifications
    • Hull Material: Wood
    • Length: 84 feet (25.6 meters) Beam: 19 feet (5.8 meters) Depth: 5 feet (1.5 meters)
  • Gross Tonnage 49 gross
  • Net Tonnage – 46 net tons

Operational History

The Wollin was built in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1854 by shipbuilder J.M. Jones. A small schooner, she was designed for coastal trading and carried lumber, agricultural goods, and other bulk cargoes along the Great Lakes. She served for an impressive 43 seasons, primarily operating between Frankfort, Michigan, Milwaukee, and other Lake Michigan ports.

Over her long career, she underwent two major rebuilds, in 1872 and 1878, which extended her service life significantly.By the late 19th century, however, wooden schooners were rapidly being replaced by steamships, making Wollin one of the last of her kind.

Final Voyage & Loss (April 29, 1897)

The Wollin was on a voyage from Frankfort, Michigan, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, carrying a cargo of wood and potatoes. As she neared Sheboygan, Wisconsin, she was caught in a powerful gale.

The aging schooner was no match for the heavy winds and waves and was driven ashore 2 miles north of Sheboygan. The Lifesaving Service responded quickly, but the crew had to be rescued under extremely difficult conditions due to the storm’s intensity.

The Wollin was declared a total loss. This marked the end of a 43-year career, a remarkable lifespan for a wooden schooner of that era.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

  • Location: Near Sheboygan, Wisconsin (Lake Michigan)
  • Current Status: The wreck is believed to be buried under shifting sands near the shoreline.
  • Potential for Discovery:
    • Given her small size and long exposure to the elements, little remains of the Wollin today.
    • Side-scan sonar or magnetometer surveys may locate remnants of her iron fittings, ballast stones, or hull fragments.

Legacy and Significance

One of the Last Sailing Schooners of Her Era The Wollin survived into the late 19th century, at a time when wooden schooners were rapidly disappearing. By 1897, most freight was transported by steam-powered vessels, making Wollin a relic of a bygone era.

Connection to the U.S. Lifesaving Service The Sheboygan Lifesaving Station’s rescue of her crew was a testament to the skill and bravery of the precursor to the U.S. Coast Guard • The rescue was described as highly challenging, emphasizing the dangers of Great Lakes shipping.

Example of a Sturdy Workhorse Vessel Surviving 43 seasons on the Great Lakes, despite frequent storms and heavy cargoes, Wollin was an example of how well-built schooners could endure decades of hard use.

Further Research and Resources

  • Wisconsin Shipwreck Database – https://www.wisconsinshipwrecks.org Covers shipwrecks in Wisconsin waters, including those near Sheboygan.
  • Great Lakes Shipwreck Research Database Contains historical records on shipwrecks, captains, and vessel details.
  • National Museum of the Great Lakes – https://nmgl.org Provides archives and research on Great Lakes shipping history.
  • Maritime History of the Great Lakes – http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Includes historical accounts of schooners like Wollin.

Conclusion

The Wollin was a classic Great Lakes schooner that survived for 43 years in the demanding cargo trade between Michigan and Wisconsin.

Her final voyage in 1897 saw her driven ashore in a storm near Sheboygan, where she was lost despite heroic rescue efforts by the Lifesaving Service.

Although little remains of the wreck today, her long service life and dramatic final loss make her a notable piece of Great Lakes maritime history.

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