Photo Credit: Great Lakes Marine Collection of the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

Name: Moonlight
Other Names: None
Official Number: 90719
Registry: United States
Vessel Type: Wooden three-masted Schooner (later Schooner-Barge)
Builder: Wolf & Davidson, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Year Built: 1874
Dimensions: Length 205.9 ft (62.8 m); Beam 33.6 ft (10.2 m); Depth 14.2 ft (4.3 m)
Tonnage: 777 gross tons / 738 net tons
Cargo on Final Voyage: Iron ore
Date of Loss: 13 September 1903
Location: Off Michigan Island, Apostle Islands, Lake Superior
Coordinates: Approx. 7 miles east of Michigan Island (44.9° N, 90.4° W)
Depth: 240 ft (73 m)
Home Port: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Owners: Hibbard & Vance (initial); later L.M. Norris; William S. Mack et al (Cleveland); Jay Hersley (Sault Ste. Marie); J.C. Gilchrist & Co.
Crew: Not precisely documented
Casualties: None (crew rescued by Steamer Volunteer)

Description

The Moonlight was a large, wooden-hulled, three-masted Schooner built for grain and ore traffic on the upper Great Lakes. Measuring over 205 feet in length, she was praised at her 1874 launch for her cutting-edge design, strong framing, and ability to carry 50,000 bushels of grain. Like many schooners of her generation, she was later relegated to Barge service, towed by powerful steamers in the bulk trade.

History

Launched at Milwaukee by Wolf & Davidson on 14 March 1874, the Moonlight drew a crowd of over 400 spectators. Owned initially by a group of Milwaukee investors, including David Vance, the vessel quickly entered the grain and coal trades between Milwaukee, Buffalo, and beyond. Her career was eventful:

  • 1874: Suffered fire damage from a Tug spark during outfitting; lost anchors and chains in ice at the Straits.
  • 1875: Reported leaking while loaded with wheat.
  • 1883: Collided with the Steamer Conemaugh at Milwaukee.
  • 1889: Struck barges of the Belle Cross.
  • 1894: Assisted in the rescue of crew from the Steamer Ohio following its collision with the Ironton.
  • 1895–96: Stranded in a gale on Chocolay Reef near Marquette along with the Henry A. Kent; released in spring 1896 by salvage Tug Jay Hursley.
  • 1898: Sold to J.C. Gilchrist & Co. and converted into a Barge.

Final Dispositions

On 13 September 1903, while in tow of the Steamer Volunteer and laden with iron ore, Moonlight began leaking heavily in a gale near the Apostle Islands. She Foundered rapidly about 12 miles off Michigan Island, Lake Superior. Her crew escaped safely to the towing Steamer. The vessel was declared a Total Loss.

Located By & Date Found

The wreck was discovered in the summer of 2004. Moonlight rests in 240 feet of water, broken but with her name still visible on her side. Location: approximately 7 miles east of Michigan Island in Lake Superior.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No current Coast Guard hazards are posted. Wreck lies in deep water within the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore region.

Dive Information

Access: Boat only
Entry Point: Apostle Islands, Wisconsin
Conditions: Cold, low Visibility, strong thermocline, advanced trimix recommended
Depth Range: 240 ft (73 m)
Emergency Contacts: U.S. Coast Guard Sector Sault Ste. Marie; Bayfield County Sheriff
Permits: Required under National Park Service / Wisconsin Historical Society oversight
Dive Support: Charters available from Bayfield and Red Cliff, Wisconsin

Crew & Casualty Memorials

No fatalities occurred. Crew successfully transferred to Volunteer. No dedicated memorials documented.

Documented Statements & Extracts

“The Moonlight sailed on until the gale of September 13, 1903. She was being towed by the Steamer Volunteer and started taking on water as they approached the Apostle Islands. She filled rapidly and began to settle. Luckily, her crew was able to jump to the Volunteer.” – Wisconsin Marine Historical Society

Registry, Enrollment & Insurance Trails

U.S. Official Number 90719. Enrolled at Milwaukee on 14 April 1874. Subsequent owners included L.M. Norris (1876), William S. Mack (1888), Jay Hersley (1896), and J.C. Gilchrist & Co. (1898). Records of insurance and remeasurement note Gross Tonnage of 777 and net 738.16.

Site Documentation & Imaging

Discovered in 2004. The wreck site shows a broken wooden Hull in deep cold water with scattered iron ore remnants. Survey images confirm the vessel’s name still visible on planking. Documentation supported by Wisconsin Historical Society and NOAA records.

Image Gallery

Resources & Links

References

  1. Mansfield, J.B. History of the Great Lakes, vessel casualty lists.
  2. Wisconsin Historical Society, Shipwrecks Database.
  3. Wisconsin Marine Historical Society, Moonlight profile (2003).

NOAA Shipwreck Record Card

Wreck Name: Moonlight
Other Names: None
Official Number: 90719
Coordinates: 44.9° N, 90.4° W (approx. 7 miles east of Michigan Island)
Depth: 240 ft (73 m)
Location Description: Apostle Islands, Lake Superior
Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner (later Barge)
Material: Wood
Dimensions: 205.9 × 33.6 × 14.2 ft (62.8 × 10.2 × 4.3 m); 777 gross tons
Condition: Broken Hull, scattered remains
Cause of Loss: Foundered in gale while in tow
Discovery Date: 2004
Discovered By: Shipwreck researchers & divers
Method: Sonar and dive survey
Legal Notes: Protected under Wisconsin and U.S. historic preservation laws
Hazards: Deep cold-water diving risk
Permits Required: Yes (archaeological work, artifact removal prohibited)