Resources > Dive Locations > Wrecks > City of Sheyboygan

City of Sheyboygan (1871 - 1925)




KEY STATS:
Ship Type: Schooner
Lifespan: Built 1871, Sunk 1925
Length: 135ft
Depths: 98t
Location: Amherst Island, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
GPS N44.04.5580 W 76.44.0680

A little harder to get at than some of the closer wrecks to Kingston, this one is that much more worth the trip. The shipwreck itself has fewer zebra mussels than most, which sparsely cover it. It is in largely pristine condition and has weathered the storm well largely as a result of lack of diver traffic. The ship itself looks as if it had been gently laid upright on the bottom of the lake where it remains intact. The masts are down and lay, in part, across the deck of the ship with some bits of rigging hanging down adding to its character. The deck is strewn with original artifacts but unfortunately is missing its anchor and wheel.


The City of Sheboygan was built by Fred Hamilton, in Sheboygan, WI on July 5th, 1871. Registered out of Toronto, the ship was heavily loaded with feldspar when it was caught in a storm and sank on September 25th 1915 near Amherst Island. 5 sailors were lost when the ship sank. All efforts to salvage the vessel were unsuccessful. The wreck was located in 1963.



Moored off the starboard bow quarter the first place to see is the bow, stem and bowsprit. Though the bowsprit has been broken this portion of the ship is a must see. A glide over the deck will bring into view many of the artifacts of the wreck with the holds, particularly forward, in excellent shape. Near the bow, you should look for the glass tube on the boiler of the foredeck. The tube is intact and survived these many years. As you swim aft the holds are mostly full, though there are swim through possibilities through some of the hallways. If you decide to penetrate, excellent buoyancy and swimming technique will be necessary if you actually want to see anything. One item that must be seen is what appears to be a small metal plate on the deck of the aft section. If seen from below (particularly with a light shining through) it will be recognized as a prism used to distribute light to the cabin below. Holes in the aft gunnel of the ship, perhaps where windows lit the cabin, offer an excellent swim through and set you up well for an outstanding view of the boxy aft of the ship.

This story by Pat Heffernman

Looking out of the Stern


Tonnage Numbers

Damaged Bow


The Stern



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