Posted by Brendon Baillod on November 22, 1999 at 09:18:03:
Milwaukee and Illinois area divers are familiar with the wreckof the nearly intact three masted schooner
Lumberman which lies in 60 ft. of water off Oak Creek, Wisconsin. Divers over the past year or two have
noted that the deck planking and other wooden members have been being stripped from the vessel, as
they are reported to be of some value due to the type of wood used to fashion them.
This activity has hastened the destruction of this historic wreck which is now in imminent danger of
collapsing outward, as schooner hulls are known to do when their decking becomes unstable.
The windlass which once stood on the deck has now collapsed into the bilge and the wreck is
rapidly being destroyed.
If you have been taking wood from this wreck, please stop immediately. If you know who has been
doing so, please advise them to stop. Without attention in the next few years to stabilize this wreck,
it will end up a flattened debris field thanks to the efforts of the person or persons who stripped her.