Identification & Site Information

Incident & Sinking

  • Final Voyage: November 19, 1891, from Ludington to Benton Harbor carrying lumber
  • Loss Event: Caught in a severe autumn storm off South Haven; became waterlogged. Crew Abandoned ship and all 6 survived (michiganshipwrecks.org)
  • Sinking Location: Approx. 2.5 miles NW of South Haven Harbor, Lake Michigan, resting in ~65–70 ft (19–21 m) of water (42° 26.553′ N, 86° 18.400′ W) (michiganshipwrecks.org)

Wreck Discovery & Archaeological Work

  • Discovery: Accidentally discovered in September 1983 when fishermen’s anchor snagged on wreck; reported to Michigan Maritime Museum (michiganshipwrecks.org)
  • Excavation: Conducted over six seasons by Michigan Maritime Museum, Michigan Bureau of History, and DNR. First complete archaeological excavation in U.S. Great Lakes (Wandering Educators)
  • Documentation: Detailed mapping, conservation of artifacts using chemical baths and freeze-drying; yielded significant construction insights (Wandering Educators)

Site Description & Condition

  • Wreck Layout: Broken into three sections on a flat sandy clay bottom:
    • Central section: Keelson, sister keelsons, Centerboard trunk (~6′ high)
    • Starboard section: cracked at chine; adjacent to central struc­ture
    • Outer port section: lies ~30′ away, pivoted from bow
    • Notable features: Windlass ~35′ forward of bow, chain-pile at starboard bow quarter, operating lever on port side (DiveBuddy.com, michiganshipwrecks.org)
  • Environment: Sand waves cover/uncover parts of wreck. Bottom: clay with sand/stone overburden. Marine life: perch, sculpins, burbot (michiganshipwrecks.org)Diving Information (Recreational & Archaeological)
  • Depth: 65–70 ft (20 m); maximum depth noted at 61–70 ft (DiveBuddy.com)
  • Visibility: 36–40 ft clarity typical (DiveBuddy.com)
  • Water Temp: Below 50 °F year‑round; suits required (7 mm or drysuit) (DiveBuddy.com)
  • Access: Boat-access only; rated 3/5 by divers—best when lake is calm (DiveBuddy.com)

Historical Significance

  • Industrial Value: Served the Lake Michigan lumber trade; transported grain, coal, salt, produce—iconic of late‑19th-century Great Lakes economic boom (Wandering Educators)
  • Archaeological Importance: Its excavation provided foundational data on scow‑Schooner construction and material culture aboard these vessels—pivotal for maritime research (Wandering Educators)

Site Management & Conservation

  • Access & Use: Now a popular dive and research site; managed under Michigan Underwater Preserve guidelines (Michigan Preserves)
  • Conservation Measures: Wreck protected; artifact conservation conducted professionally; periodic site monitoring due to sediment movement
  • Guidelines: Divers encouraged to follow “leave no trace” ethics; avoid artifact removal; maintain buoyed mooring and dive plan

Summary

The scow‑Schooner Rockaway, lost in the 1891 South Haven storm, now lies preserved and partially excavated in 70 ft of water. It offers rich insights into flat-bottomed Schooner architecture, maritime economics, and cold-water wreck preservation. The site remains accessible to divers under regulated guidelines and continues to contribute to historical and archaeological knowledge of Great Lakes shipping.

Recommended Further Research & Actions

  • Consult Michigan Maritime Museum archives for excavation logs, artifact catalogs, field reports
  • Review DNR maritime site records for management plans and environmental impact assessments
  • Examine Historic Newspapers (e.g., Chicago Tribune, Ludington Daily News) for first‑hand sinking accounts
  • Map bathymetry & sediment movement to model site preservation over time
  • Compile crew biographies/logbooks for crew life and operational context