Identification & Site Information

Vessel Type

A large, wooden three-masted Schooner built for heavy cargo transport. Known for impressive deckloads—e.g., in June 1869, she carried shingles piled eight feet above the rails (wisconsinshipwrecks.org).

History

Final Disposition

Located By & Date Found

The Lewis Day wreck is located in the surf zone off Plum Island and is known locally as the “Plum Island lagoon wreck.” It has been documented in surveys such as the Wisconsin Underwater Archaeological Investigation (wisconsinshipwrecks.org). No precise coordinates are provided, but the remains are accessible at low water.

Dive & Surf Zone Information

  • Accessibility: Shallower surf zone—potentially visible at very low water, but conditions make diving impractical.
  • Visibility: Highly variable; submerged debris may be visible in calm conditions.
  • Conditions: Rough surf, submerged timber hazards.
  • Diving Level: Not recommended—best observed from shore during low water.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No formal navigational warnings. The wreck debris lies in shallow, turbulent surf—hazard to small craft, but unmarked on official charts.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Lewis Day was a robust cargo Schooner typical of late-19th-century Great Lakes maritime commerce. Her loss during the fierce 1881 storm at Plum Island ended her storied career of heavy hauls and repairs. Today, her remnants lie pounded into the greenhead sands of the surf zone—a fragmentary witness to her rugged past and a testament to the region’s maritime history.

Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms

Three-masted Schooner • Chambers Island build • Cedar posts cargo • Plum Island surf wreck • 1881 storm • Door County maritime history • shipwreck visible ashore • Great Lakes naval archaeology.