Fleetwing (shipwreck)

Fleetwing was a schooner that sank in Lake Michigan off Liberty Grove, Wisconsin, United States. In 2001 the shipwreck site was added to the National Register of Historic Places.[1]

Fleetwing (shipwreck)
LocationLake Michigan off Liberty Grove, Wisconsin
Coordinates45°17′15″N 87°2′59″W
NRHP reference No.01000734
Added to NRHPJuly 11, 2001

History

Fleetwing was constructed in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, in 1867 by what is now known as the Burger Boat Company.[2] Her finished cost was $30,000. She was rebuilt in 1885.

On September 26, 1888, Fleetwing departed Menominee, Michigan, bound for Chicago, Illinois, with a cargo of lumber.[3] Later that night, as the ship approached Porte des Morts, a gale began to form. Reports of what happened later conflict, but what is known is that at 11:00 p.m., the ship struck a rocky beach that apparently sheared off a mast. Initially, efforts were made to save the vessel, but another gale began to form during the process and the tugboat that had been attempting to retrieve Fleetwing was forced to leave the area.[4] By the time the tugboat was able to return, the second gale had caused irreparable damage to Fleetwing.

The State of Wisconsin owns the wreck of Fleetwing and the Wisconsin Historical Society and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources manage the wreck site.[5] The wreck lies in 10 to 30 feet (3.0 to 9.1 m) of water in Garrett Bay.[6]

References
  1. "Weekly List of Actions Taken On Properties". National Park Service. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  2. "Service History". Wisconsin Shipwrecks.org. Archived from the original on 2012-03-27. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  3. "Final Voyage". Wisconsin Shipwrecks.org. Archived from the original on 2012-03-27. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  4. "Final Voyage page 2". Wisconsin Shipwrecks.org. Archived from the original on 2010-12-03. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  5. "Today page 3". Wisconsin Shipwrecks.org. Archived from the original on 2010-12-03. Retrieved 2012-02-10.
  6. Kohl, Cris (2001). The Great Lakes Diving Guide. West Chicago, Ill.: Seawolf Communications, Inc.
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