Identification & Site Information

• Name: Floretta
• Runner‑up name: None recorded
• Official Number: 9688 (facebook.com, wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
• Vessel Type: Wooden canal Schooner, rigged for towing along canal networks
• Built: 1868 in Detroit, Michigan by John Stupinsky (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
• Dimensions: 134 ft × 26 ft × 11 ft (40.8 × 7.9 × 3.4 m); ~260 GRT (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)

Cargo & Final Voyage

• Cargo: Iron ore, en route to Chicago (originating from Escanaba) (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
• Date Lost: 18 September 1885
• Location: Approximately 6 miles (10 km) southeast of Manitowoc, Wisconsin (Lake Michigan) (nordicdiver.com)
• Cause: Sprang a leak during heavy seas; sank rapidly after being Abandoned by the crew (shipwreckexplorers.com)
• Loss of Life: None reported (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)

History & Description

• The Floretta exemplified sturdy canal-style schooners later used in open-lake trade routes.
• In June 1885, she hauled ore from Escanaba under charter before her final ill-fated voyage (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).
• On 18 September, heavy waves compromised her Hull, causing rapid flooding; the crew Abandoned ship shortly before she sank beneath the waves.

Final Disposition & Wreck Status

• The ship sank intact in deep water southeast of Manitowoc.
• The site has not yet been conclusively surveyed, but her remains lie in Lake Michigan’s depths.
• As a result, Floretta is considered a lost and uncharted wreck, likely resting in 30–60 m (100–200 ft) of water.

Located By & Date Found

• Nil return for any modern rediscovery or confirmation dives.
• The wreck presents a promising target for technical surveys, given its known approximate location and condition reports.

Notations & Advisories

• The area is within Wisconsin’s Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary, which has prioritized similar wrecks for preservation and study (glc.org, shipwreckexplorers.com, wisconsinshipwrecks.org, instagram.com).
• No hazard buoys mark the site, but it’s rich in deep wreckage interest.

Next Steps & Archival Opportunities

To deepen this historical record and support potential future exploration:

1. Newspaper Archives:
   • Explore Manitowoc Herald and Milwaukee Sentinel (Sept 1885) for accounts of the sinking and crew rescue.
2. Sanctuary Records:
   • Consult Wisconsin’s Sanctuary field reports and NOAA archives for imagery, sonar data, or Hull documentation.
3. Insurance & Tow Logs:
   • Access policy files via maritime insurer records and towing company charters in June–September 1885.
4. Deep-Water Expedition Planning:
   • Review sonar or ROV survey data from the National Marine Sanctuary targeting 100–200 ft depth wrecks, including Floretta.

Summary

Floretta (1868–1885) was a 134‑ft canal Schooner carrying iron ore when she Foundered on 18 September 1885 off Manitowoc in a severe storm. The crew escaped unharmed, but the vessel sank to the lake bottom. Her remains rest uncharted yet potentially well-preserved in sanctuary waters, representing a compelling opportunity for further research or deep technical diving.