Fathoms Deep But Not Forgotten: Wisconsin’s Undiscovered Maritime Archeology Sites

Fathoms Deep But Not Forgotten: Wisconsin’s Historic Shipwrecks

Part II: Racine County

Brendon Baillod

This article is the second in a continuing series examining the historical maritime archeology sites in Wisconsin. This installment will review the historical shipwrecks of Racine County. Like Kenosha in the preceding article, Racine boasts a high shipwreck density due to her position between the busy ports of Milwaukee and Chicago. After being settled in the mid 1830s, Racine quickly developed as a Lake port despite her shallow river mouth harbor. The harbor first began to see traffic in the 1830s when steamers from the east began to anchor off the river to ferry in passengers and freight. In 1839, a lighthouse was erected to assist vessels in locating the harbor and by 1840, the sandbars at the river mouth had been removed enough to allow small schooners to enter. Since that time, Racine has seen many vessel losses with the greatest number occurring in the period 1850 - 1900. The following list includes all known total loss shipwrecks to commercial vessels in Racine County waters. It was compiled over the course of 20 years from hundreds of sources by Brendon Baillod and Bob Jaeck.

Schooner McFarlane (none) – Built about 1840 – size unknown – December 1, 1841 – A schooner by this name is reported in news accounts to have gone ashore near Racine. No record of this vessel exists in any other news account, vessel list or government document, but numerous news accounts reported the wreck in specific detail. It may have been a small locally built vessel. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 12/19/1841)

Schooner Black Hawk (none) – Built 1832 at Fairport, OH by R.W. Skinner - 60.0 x 17.2 x 5.85 ft. – 51.30 gt. BOM – October 15, 1847 - The schooner Black Hawk stranded at Racine on October 10, but was freed and departed for Manistee the same week under Captain Green. She was never heard from again and was declared a total loss in March 1848. (Racine Advocate – 11/24/1847)

Schooner Bolivar (none) – Built 1842 at Chicago, IL – 46.28 gt. BOM – November 21, 1847 – Bound Milwaukee to Chicago, this small schooner was blown ashore in a gale three miles north of Racine. She broke up over the winter, a total loss for her owner, J.P. Allen of Chicago. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 11/25/1847)

Schooner LaSalle (none) – Built 1835 at Huron, OH by Burton Parson - 83.0 x 24.0 x 9.8 ft. – 167.46 gt. BOM. – Scroll stem – September 23, 1849 – Bound Chicago to Buffalo, the LaSalle capsized and was last seen on her beam ends about 12 miles off Racine. 8 of her crew were lost and 1 was rescued. Sources suggest her hull may have been towed in, but she never sailed again. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 9/25/1849)

Brig Theodore W. Maurice (none) – Built 1831 at Fairport, OH - 52.3 x 17.10 x 5.2 ft.– 45.54 gt. BOM. – Plain stem – August 30, 1850 – The brig T.W. Maurice became waterlogged off Ahnapee while bound to Chicago with oak planks. She was driven south and fetched up off Wind Point, where she broke up completely. Her cargo was scattered down the beach all the way to Racine. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 9/3/1850)

Schooner Sylvanus Marvin (none) – Built 1842 at Milwaukee, WI by Samuel Farmin - 65.0 x 18.9 x 6.1 ft. – 64.63 gt. BOM. – Plain stem – May 22, 1851 – This schooner, also seen as Sylvester Marvin is reported to have foundered off Racine. She was lost with 8 crew and her captain W.P. Denton. She ran out of Milwaukee primarily in the lumber trade. Sources also place this loss off Grand Haven, MI. (Milwaukee Public Library – Runge File)

Schooner Mary Ann Larned (none) – Built 1846 at Newport, MI - 73.0 x 17.8 x 6.9 ft. – 79.33 gt. BOM. – May 23, 1851 – This schooner was driven through Waterman’s Bridge Pier at Racine and blown upon the beach, with a lumber cargo. She was reported pulled off the beach, but at $1300 her loss was likely total. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 5/27/1851)

Schooner Young America (none) – Built 1854 at Oswego, NY by Rogers and Crockett – about 139 x 29 x 10 ft. - 331.43 gt. BOM. – September 23, 1855 – The big, new schooner Young America was bound from Chicago to Oswego with corn when she was run down by the schooner Black Hawk several miles northeast of Racine. She went down in deep water, a total loss. A brig of the same name was built in 1853 at Buffalo and is often confused with this schooner. This wreck has never been found. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 9/25/1855)

Schooner Dean Richmond (none) – Built 1855 at Cleveland, OH – about 140 ft - 362.73 gt. BOM. – October 21, 1855 – Another big, new schooner, the Dean Richmond was lost only three weeks after her launch when she went on the Rocks five miles north of Racine with a cargo of coal and lumber, bound for Chicago. Her bow was high out of the water and her stern submerged, but she could not be pulled free and broke up over the winter. Another schooner of the same name was launched the following year. This site probably has extant remains but has yet to be located. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 10/24/1855)

Schooner Temperance (none) – Built 1847 at St. Joseph, MI by J. Randall - 108.6 x 22.4 x 7 ft. – 156.57 gt. BOM – Plain stem. – April 1, 1857 – This schooner was under tow by the tug McQueen with a lumber cargo when she broke free in a gale and drove ashore a few miles north of Racine. She was a total loss at $3000. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 4/4/1857)

Schooner Peter Doling (none) – Built 1848 at Conneautville, PA by Girard - 78.6 x 14.6 x 5.8 ft. – 60.57 gt. BOM – September 11, 1857 – This schooner went ashore on the point just south of the Racine Lighthouse with a cargo of lumber an fruit. She was pulled free but sank in the harbor where she was abandoned. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 9/16/1857)

Schooner Henry Clay (none) – Built 1842 at Presque Isle, MI - 73.25 x 15.5 x 5.75 ft. – 59.40 gt. BOM – October 15, 1857 – The schooner Henry Clay was driven ashore about seven miles north of Racine in an October storm. She reportedly broke up as a total loss, although insurance damages were placed at only $300. She disappears from news accounts and enrollments after this accident. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 10/20/1857)

Scow Schooner Rocky Mountain (none) – Built 1852 at Black River, OH - 76.5 x 23.5 x 6.25 ft. – 123.47 gt. BOM – October 21, 1857 – This scow schooner was driven ashore with a lumber cargo a few miles north of Racine in a Fall storm. She was a total loss at $3200. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 10/23/1857)

Schooner William Foster (none) – Built 1842 at Cleveland, OH by William Foster - 47.1 x 14.5 x 5.4 ft. – 30.07 gt. BOM – Scroll stem - June 1858 – This little schooner was reported capsized with the loss of two lives ten miles off Racine and later towed in to the harbor. She disappears from enrollments and news accounts after this accident, but several sources place the mishap at Chicago and not at Racine. (Mansfield’s History of the Great Lakes, Chicago Tribune – 6/30/1858)

Bark Colorado (none) – Built 1857 at Cleveland, OH by Peck & Masters - 147.9 x 30.5 x 12.1 ft. – 503.44 gt. BOM – Three masts – December 30, 1863 – The big bark Colorado went on the reef off Wind Point on October 28^th with a coal cargo. She was abandoned in place in November and was sold at auction before she broke up completely on December 30^th. Another bark Colorado was built the next year. This wreck may have extant remains but has never been found. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 1/4/1864)

Schooner Mary S. Scott (none) – Built 1856 at Cleveland, OH by George W. Jones - 135.8 x 25.11 x 11 ft. – 358.58 gt. BOM – Figurehead stem – September 20, 1866 – The M.S. Scott was driven aground at Racine with a cargo of 7000 bushels of wheat while bound from Chicago to Buffalo. Part of her wheat cargo was removed but the ship was abandoned where she lie. The exact location of her stranding is not known but her remains are likely still present. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 9/24/1866)

Bark Great West (10149) – Built 1854 at Buffalo, NY by S.R & G.S. Weeks - 175 x 34 x 15 ft. – 554.87 gt. – Three masts – October 10, 1866 – The big bark Great West was bound for Chicago with 800 tons of coal when she struck Racine Reef, holing herself badly. She was run ashore south of Racine to prevent her from foundering. She was stripped and abandoned to the elements where she lay. She probably has extant remains but she has yet to be located. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 10/12/1866)

Propeller F.W. Backus (none) – Built 1846 at Malden Centre, Ontario by Bates as the Earl Carthcart - 133 x 25 x 9.4 ft. – 289.78 gt. BOM – November 25, 1866 – The steamer F.W. Backus was bound from Kenosha to Racine with passengers and livestock when she was found to be on fire. She was run into the shallows just south of Racine where she burned to the water’s edge. It is probable that a significant portion of the wreck remains and could be located. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 11/26/1866)

Schooner H.L. Whitman (11187) – Built 1856 at Milan, OH by Salmon Ruggles - 120.9 x 24.9 x 10.3 ft. – 208.43 gt. – October 11, 1869 – The schooner H.L. Whitman was bound for Chicago with a lumber cargo when she struck a rock off Racine’s North Point and immediately sank. She was abandoned where she lay and has not been located. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 10/13/1869)

Scow Schooner Flora Temple (9302) – Built 1866 at St. Joseph, MI – about 30 ft. – 6.5 gt. – July 26, 1870 – The little scow schooner Flora Temple was driven ashore nine miles north of Racine by a sudden squall. She is one of the smallest registered commercial vessels known to have wrecked in Wisconsin waters. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 7/29/1870)

Schooner Anna Henry (1801) – Built 1867 at Erie, PA – 214 gt. – October 4, 1870 – The Anna Henry departed Chicago for Hamilton, Ontario with a load of pig iron, but was found to be leaking off Little Sable Point. She was run to Racine, repaired and set out again, but foundered about 20 miles off Racine. 8 of her crew were rescued by the schooner George Steele. She probably lies in very deep water. (Toronto Globe – 10/13/1870)

Propeller Lac La Belle (15803) – Built 1864 at Cleveland, OH by Ira Lafrinier – 218 x 36 x 12 ft. – 1187.19 gt. – October 13, 1872 – The steamer Lac La Belle sprang a leak and foundered in heavy en route from Milwaukee to Grand Haven with a grain cargo. She had left Milwaukee at 9 PM and began leaking about midnight when 25 miles off Racine. About that time, she shipped a heavy sea, which put out her boiler fires and she was driven before the gale which was out of the north. About 5 AM, the ship was abandoned, with lifeboats making shore about 6 miles south of Racine 12 hours later. 8 crew died when one of the lifeboats capsized. The Lac La Belle had been a passenger steamer but was rebuilt as a bulk carrier. She has never been located and is thought to lie in deep water. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 10/14/1872)

Propeller Merchant (16332) – Built 1862 at Buffalo, NY by David Bell - 200.0 x 29.0 x 14.0 ft. – 1009 gt. – October 6, 1875 – The Merchant was the first iron propeller on the Lakes and is one of the most historic vessels lost in Wisconsin waters. She blundered onto Racine Reef with a large cargo of bulk corn, barreled flour and flax. She stranded in about 13 ft of water where she holed her hull and settled onto the reef. Although initially thought salvageable, she was given up as a loss by the 13^th and stripped. By November 1^st, the vessel had started breaking up. She had been insured for $100,000 and was the worst loss of the season. In the summer of 1877, Knapp and Gillen removed her engines and significant scrap, and by 1880 she was no longer visible above the waterline. In the ensuing years, she was dynamited and salvaged by various groups. She was all but forgotten until some of her remains were found on the reef during the 1990s. Only minor structural components of the vessel remain and are widely scattered. (Buffalo Commercial Advertiser – 10/8/1875)

Schooner Whirlwind (26226) – Built 1848 at Racine, WI by Justice Bailey – 99.9 x 21.1 x 8.0 ft. – 111.45 gt. – Plain stem - September 9, 1876 – The Whirlwind was bound for Chicago with 100,000 ft of lumber when she was driven into the shallows near Racine and stranded. Captain Henry Wilson ordered the yawl launched and the men made it to shore. The vessel reportedly wrecked off a large ravine just south of Senator Doolittle’s residence. It should be possible to locate the vessel’s remains. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 9/11/1876)

Schooner Dolphin (6132) – Built 1854 at Port Dover, Ontario by A.M. Shaw – 91.2 x 22.9 x 7.8 ft.– 154.27 gt. – Scow bottom - September 7, 1876 – The schooner Dolphin lost at Racine was one of three vessels active in 1876 by that name. She was driven ashore at Racine during a gale and her last enrollment was surrendered at Chicago on 9/30/1876 as a total loss. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 9/9/1876)

Scow Schooner Home (42215) – Built 1867 at Milwaukee by Ellsworth & Davidson – 84.9 x 23.2 x 6.3 ft. – 91.77 gt. - November 13, 1876 – The scow schooner Home was bound for Chicago with lumber when her steering gear broke. She was driven ashore near the Racine Lighthouse pier. Her cargo was salvaged but she proved a total loss. (Evening Wisconsin – 11/15/1876)

Schooner Grace Channon (85309) – Built 1873 at East Saginaw, Michigan by W.S. Ellinwood – 141 x 26 x 12 ft. – 265.99 gt. – August 2, 1877 – The schooner Grace Channon was bound from Buffalo to Chicago with 600 tons of coal when she was struck by the propeller favorite north of Racine. She sank immediately, taking the owner’s 7 year old son with her. Her remains were located in 1985 by Kent Bellrichard and she is now a popular divesite in 205 ft of water. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 8/4/1877)

Schooner Alice (105020) – Built 1871 at Holland, MI – 45.0 x 13.7 x 3.9 ft. – 14 gt. - December 10, 1877 – The little lumber hooker Alice was lost with a load of Christmas trees for Chicago when she blundered onto Wind Point. She was a total loss. There is some question as to the identity of this vessel. There were two other small hookers named Alice active on Lake Michigan at the time. (Racine Journal – 12/12/1877)

Scow Schooner Eagle (135158) – Built 1870 at Green Bay WI by Chas LeClair - 71.6 x 19.4 x 4.2 ft. – 40 gt. – March 28, 1878 – The scow schooner Eagle was trying to enter the harbor with 20 cords of wood when she missed the pier and was thrown against the pier at the end of Second St. Her crew escaped but she was smashed to pieces. (Racine Journal – 4/3/1878)

Yacht Undine (none) – A large locally built steam yacht – April 16, 1881 – A spring flood of the Root River swept the schooner Belle and scow Frost down the river and into the Yacht Undine, completely destroying her. (Weather Bureau CSO Wrecklist - 1882)

Schooner Speed (22357) – Built 1848 at Madison Dock, OH by Lockwood – 97.3 x 20.8 x 7.85 gt. – 104.44 gt. - April 18, 1883 – The venerable old schooner Speed stranded on Racine’s north beach while bound from Pentwater, MI to Racine with a cargo of shingles. She was being towed in by the tug Sill, when the line parted and she was driven aground on her side. Her crew were rescued by the USLSS via breeches buoy. Efforts to free her failed and she had completely broken up within a week. (Racine Daily Journal – 4/21/1883)

Schooner Elizabeth Jones (8193) – Built 1867 at Buffalo, NY by Mason & Bidwell – 184 x 23 x 13 ft. – 636.47 gt. - November 11, 1883 – The big schooner Elizabeth Jones stranded on the south side of Racine Reef while bound from Chicago to Buffalo with corn. Her bottom was badly damaged and she could not be refloated. Her cargo was partially salvaged and she was allowed to break up over the winter. Her hull-bed has reportedly been located by divers but the identification has not been confirmed. (Milwaukee Sentinel – 11/12/1883)

Scow Schooner Laura Johnson (140527) – Built 1882 at South Haven, MI by L.D. LaFountaine – 50 ft - 34.23 gt. – July 17, 1890 – The little gravel scow Laura Johnson was loading gravel off Racine’s North Point when a storm blew up and drove her ashore. She was a total loss of $700. (Racine Daily Journal – 7/18/1890)

Schooner Persia (19672) – Built 1855 at Chicago, IL by D. Barrett – 95.5 x 21.1 x 6.8 ft. – 96.69 gt. – June 2, 1892 – The old schooner Persia stranded 3 miles north of Wind point while bound from Menominee, MI to Racine with a lumber cargo. The crew reached shore in their yawl, but the ship broke up rapidly, scattering lumber down the beach where area farmers scavenged it. Her remains were located just off the beach by Bob Jaeck in the 1990s. (Racine Evening Times – 6/2/1892)

Schooner Evra Fuller (15956) – Built 1873 at Fort Howard, WI by Soren Anderson as the Lena Johnson - 132.6 x 26.3 x 9.9 ft. – 228.87 gt. – 3 masts – renamed 1882 – October 8, 1893 – The schooner Evra Fuller was bound from Menominee, MI to Chicago with lumber when she went on Racine Reef while trying to enter the harbor in a dense fog. She broke in two just forward of her deck cabin and was a total loss. Her remains have been located 450 east of the Racine Harbor entrance and are broken up. (Racine Daily Journal – 10/18/1893)

Propeller Thomas H. Smith (145284) – Built 1881 at Manitowoc, WI by Rand & Burger - 130.5 x 27.6 x 11.1 ft. – 281.11 gt. – November 10, 1893 – The steamer Thomas H. Smith was bound from Chicago to Menominee, MI in heavy fog for a lumber cargo when she was nearly cut in two by the steamer Arthur Orr. She sank immediately, her crew jumping onto the Orr. As the Smith settled, water hit her boiler and it exploded, further destroying the ship. Reports place the disaster between 4 and 5 miles off Wind Point, but despite intensive searches, the Smith’s remains have never been found. (Racine Daily Journal – 11/15/1893)

Schooner Kate Kelly (14031) – Built 1867 at Tonawanda, NY by J. Martel - 126.3 x 25.8 x 10.4 ft. – 280.93 gt. – 3 masts – May 14, 1895 – The schooner Kate Kelly struck Racine Reef on May 13, 1895 while bound from Sheboygan to Chicago with a load of Hemlock railroad ties. She foundered shortly after striking the reef in 50 ft of water, taking her crew with her. The wreck was located by Dan Johnson in 1983 is a popular dive site. (Racine Daily Journal – 5/15/1895)

Schooner George Barber (10191) – Built 1857 at Milwaukee by George Barber - 92.5 x 24.1 x 7.95 ft. – 98.71 gt. – 2 masts – March 1, 1895 – The schooner George Barber sank in the river at Racine and was pumped out, towed out into the Lake and cast adrift, foundering shortly after. She is thought to lie in deep water off Racine. (Door County Advocate – 3/2/1895)

Schooner Sunrise (22349) – Built 1862 at Cleveland, OH by Peck & Masters as a bark - 159.0 x 30.5 x 12.41 ft. – 439.33 gt. – 3 masts – May 21, 1896 – The big schooner Sunrise was running in ballast in heavy fog bound from Chicago for the Straits when she fouled a towline between the steamer William H. Gratwick and her consort, whaleback barge 133. The barge struck the Sunrise taking off 15 ft of her bow and sending her directly to the bottom about midlake off Racine. Her 8 crew escaped. (Chicago Tribune – 5/23/1896)

Barge A (30189) – Built 1895 at Peshtigo, WI as an unrigged barge - 135.2 x 35.0 x 9.5 ft. – 410 gt. – May 15, 1900 – The barge A sank in the river at Racine with 150 cords of stone on board, just east of the Main Street Bridge. The tug Sydney Smith tore out her side and bow trying to move her as she completely blocked the river. Her cargo was removed by divers and her hull was towed out and beached outside the harbor. (Racine Daily Journal – May 18, 1900)

Schooner John Eggers (76714) – Built 1887 at Milwaukee by John Eggers - 58.7 x 14.0 x 3.4 ft. – 25 gt. – 2 masts – May 26, 1906 – The little gravel scow John Eggers was collecting gravel off Wind Point when she was driven ashore and was a total loss. (US Merchant Vessel List – 1906)

Gas Yacht Scorpion (116447) – Built 1891 at Chicago - 35.3 x 12.0 x 4.7 ft. – 10 gt. – built as a sail yacht – September 11, 1912 – The yacht Scorpion was sunk and abandoned at Racine. The accident location is still unknown but may have been in the river. (Herman Runge Wrecklist)

Steamer William Rudolph (80762) – Built 1880 at Mt. Clemens, MI by R.J. Kandt - 145 x 23.5 x 9.0 ft. – 267.89 gt. – October 23, 1913 – The wooden steambarge William Rudolph had outlived her usefulness and was abandoned in the surf near Racine as shore protection from erosion. (Historical Collections of the Great Lakes Vessel File)

Vessel wrecked at Racine but salvaged or removed

Schooner Wave (b.1835) – This schooner is commonly reported lost at Racine in April of 1844. She did strand at Racine, but was released and lost a few weeks later several miles off the Kalamazoo River mouth across the Lake.

Schooner Chas Howard (b.1845) – The Chas Howard was ashore and declared a total loss by going ashore at Racine on 9/1/1850, but was later released and repaired. She was lost at Chicago in December of 1856.

Schooner A.H. Newbold (b.1848) – The Newbold appears in many reports as lost at Racine in December of 1848. However, she was recovered and later lost at Buffalo, NY in November 1852.

Schooner Flying Cloud (b.1852) – The Flying Cloud capsized off Racine on September 20, 1853 and was believed lost until the schooner New Hampshire found her and towed her into Muskegon nearly three weeks later.

Schooner Homer Ramsdell (b.1853) – The Ramsdell was driven against Waterman’s Pier at Racine on May 10,1855 and declared a total loss. She was repaired and lost in October of 1856 off Manitou Island.

Sloop North Star (18165) – Driven high on the beach at Racine in November 1871 and reported a total loss, she was pulled free in the spring by the tug American Eagle.

Schooner Enterprise (7296) – On June 8, 1874, the schooner Enterprise stranded off Racine and capsized while under tow to the harbor. She was declared a total loss, but was towed inside the harbor. She was listed in the merchant vessel lists until 1878.

Schooner Capella (4578) – This schooner stranded four miles north of Racine Harbor on May 9, 1883 and was declared a total loss, but she was towed up the river above the Mead St. Bridge where she was abandoned after attempts to haul her out for rebuild failed.

Schooner Commerce (4363) – On 11/6/1887, the Commerce was badly holed on Racine Reef. She was initially reported a total loss, but was towed to Racine and repaired. She was lost in 1909 off Sheboygan.

Schooner Mount Vernon (17745) – The schooner Mount Vernon was abandoned in the Spring of 1893 in the river above the Mead St. Bridge where she lay for many years. Her remains are thought to have been removed in the 1930s.

Scow Schooner Dreadnaught (35270) – A confused report exists of the big schooner Dreadnaught (6130) having wrecked off Racine in December 1893. Dreadnaught 6130 was actually abandoned at Cleveland in 1879. The smaller scow schooner Dreadnaught 35270, waterlogged off Milwaukee in December 1893 and drifted across the Lake to Saugatuck, where she came ashore. She was seen off Racine.

Schooner H. Rand (11185) – This schooner capsized off Manitowoc while bound Coyne, MI to Milwaukee with lumber on May 24, 1901. The captain, his daughter and two crew perished, and the ship floated as a derelict before fetching up on Racine Reef. She was then towed to the beach at the foot of Texas Ave in Milwaukee where she was dynamited.

Schooner Caledonia (4384) – The Caledonia is reported in many sources to have been abandoned in the Root Rover in September 1901. However, she was sold and foundered off Glen Haven, MI with a load of Christmas trees on November 27, 1901.

Schooner J.V. Taylor (13874) – The J.V. Taylor was abandoned in 1915 above the Mead Street Bridge. Her remains were likely removed in the 1930s.