Identification & Site Information

Vessel Type

A mid-19th-century three-masted Schooner built for hauling heavy lumber cargoes across Lake Michigan’s timber trade routes.

Description

Constructed in East Saginaw in 1869, Ella Ellinwood featured a traditional Schooner rig and a sturdy Hull rated A2 in 1874–75. She was integral in post-Chicago Fire lumber transport operations, moving timber from Michigan’s forests to be used in rapid urban reconstruction. (wisconsinshipwrecks.org, wisconsinshipwrecks.org)

History

Throughout her three decades of service, Ella Ellinwood saw frequent commercial use, notably during Chicago’s reconstruction following the 1871 fire. She suffered at least two incidents: a collision in Chicago Harbor (1873) and a grounding at White Lake (1874), from which she was refloated. On 21 September 1901, she ran aground in heavy smoke (likely from regional forest fires). Instead of being refloated, she lay stranded near Fox Point. A storm on 29 September finished the vessel, breaking her apart and wrecking her in approximately 3.7 m (12 ft) of water. 

Final Disposition

Ella Ellinwood broke apart on the shoal and was declared a Total Loss. Her remains are still believed to lie on or near that shallow bottom above the wreck. 

Located By & Date Found

While her approximate location is known (3.5 mi north of Fox Point, in 12 ft of water), exact GPS coordinates haven’t been recorded in any public dive surveys. The wreck is not widely documented, and Wisconsin’s shipwreck databases list it as present but not precisely charted. (en.wikipedia.org)

Notations & Advisories

In shallow depth and proximity to shoreline and navigation lanes, the wreck could pose a hazard. However, there are no known markers or dive advisories. Mariners should be cautious in restricted waters. The site is not part of any historic marine sanctuary.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

Ella Ellinwood represents a classic workhorse Schooner of the logging era, with a 32-year career that ended catastrophically after being stranded during smoke-choked conditions. The wreck’s shallow resting place—once noted in Great Lakes Pilot—makes it accessible in principle, though it remains under-documented in modern diving circles. Its story contributes valuable insight into the environmental hazards (e.g., smoke, storms) faced by Great Lakes vessels at the turn of the 20th century.

Suggested Keywords & Glossary Terms: three‑masted Schooner, timber trade, Lake Michigan shoal wreck, Fox Point wreck, 1901 Lake Michigan storm wreck
Suggested Categories:
Great Lakes shipwrecks | Lake Michigan wrecks | shallow‑water wrecks | lumber schooners