Shipwreck America Canal Schooner

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Database Information Shipwreck Name

Basic Information

Name(s)  America
Registry  US
Official Number 105337
Vessel Type Canal Schooner
Builder  Archibald Muir.
Year Built 1873
Year Sank 1880 
Hull Material Wood
Engines None

Dimensions

Length  137.3 ft
Width  26 ft
Depth  11 ft

Vessel History

Complete Historic Information Link – https://greatlakeships.org/2893814/data ; https://wisconsinshipwrecks.org/Vessel/Details/24?region=Index

Wreck Site Information

Lake Michigan
State or Province Wisconsin
Depth 120 ft
GPS Coordinates N 44° 21.048′ W 087° 26.850′
Site Description The America is badly broken but most of the hull pieces are extant on site. “The deck has collapsed, and both the port and starboard sides have broken at the turn of the bilge and fallen to starboard. Despite its broken condition, nearly all of the vessel’s hull structure and standing rigging is extant but scattered around the site.
One of the most unique features of the America site is the removable bowsprit that was designed to be unstepped and raised while transiting the Welland Canal locks. This feature was unique to canallers, and the America site is particularly significant for this feature and its bowsprit that has come unstepped and allowed otherwise hidden features to be readily visible. All three of America‘s masts are extant and lie next to one another on the lakebed south of the vessel’s starboard side. The jibboom has been lifted from the foredeck and thrust into the sand forward of the bow.” (From WHS Shipwrecks Site) Also extant on site is a unique chain stop on the starboard anchor chain, windlass, centerboard trunk, and rudder.