Shipwreck Lucerne

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Database Information Shipwreck Lucerne

Basic Information

Name(s)  Lucerne
Registry  US
Official Number 15914
Vessel Type Schooner
Year Built 1873
Year Sank 1886
Hull Material Wood
Engines None

Dimensions

Length 194.9 ft
Width 33.4 ft
Depth 13.8 ft

Vessel History

Complete Historic Information Link – https://greatlakeships.org/2907199/data ;  https://wisconsinshipwrecks.org/Vessel/Details/386?region=Index

Wreck Site Information

Lake Superior
State or Province Wisconsin
Depth 20 ft
GPS Coordinates 46° 43.377′  N 090° 46.021′ W
Site Description The bow, stern, and the forward section of the starboard side are intact although mostly buried in sand. The forecastle deck which used to be intact into the 1990’s is now mostly gone except for the deck beams. The anchor windlass and capstan are intact on the forecastle deck along with the starboard chain stop which was returned to the site on a GLSPS/WHS Put-It-Back project. The port chain stop used to be on deck but is no longer visible and probably buried in sand. The centerboard trunk was also intact except for the top well into the 2000’s but now the upper sides of the trunk are missing exposing the centerboard. The port side of the hull is broken and mostly buried but how much is exposed varies with the shifting sand year to year. There is a row of deck knees on the forward starboard side and the hawse pipes are also extant on site. The remains of the row of deck stanchions attached to the keelson are also visible on site. The transom is visible but only roughly four feet of the stern sticks out of the sand. In the early 1970’s there was also a deck capstan on site, but the author witnessed its removal in the late 1970’s. Many of the small artifacts were excavated and removed by amateur archaeologist Monte Florenze and later displayed at the Duluth Visitor Center. Site features include windlass and capstan, centerboard and trunk, hawsepipes, deck knees, Samson post, chain stops, and the iron ore cargo.