Dolphin
Schooner · Lost 1869 · The Straits of Mackinac
The coal schooner 'Dolphin of Racine' sank in twenty minutes after a bark (or barque) struck her near Waugoshance Light in 1869.
Become Captain of RecordSee Shipwreck on Map
The Vessel and Her Loss
Allen, McLelland and Co. built the two-masted schooner Dolphin at Milwaukee in 1862. Known as the 'Dolphin of Racine' to distinguish her from other vessels of the name, she carried official number 6205. On July 6, 1869, carrying coal, she was struck by the bark Badger State northeast of Waugoshance Light and sank in about 20 minutes. Her crew was rescued and landed at Mackinaw. The wreck, upright in 110 feet, was explored in 2021.
Vessel
- 1862
- Official no. 6205
- Allen, McLelland and Co.
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Wood
- 119.7 ft
- 26.6 ft
- Not established
- Sail
- Not established
Loss
- July 6, 1869
- Collision
- Northeast of Waugoshance Light, Straits of Mackinac, Michigan
- Lake Michigan
- Not established
- Coal
- Not established
- 0
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- 110 ft
- Not established
- Not established
- 2021 (explored and photographed by Ken Merryman)
- Within the Straits of Mackinac Underwater Preserve (Michigan)
Position
- 45.82° N 85.00° W
- Approximate position
- Mackinaw City, Michigan
Preserve-published dive-site position; displayed rounded.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (80/100)
Crew numbers are not established in the source reviewed.
Straits of Mackinac Shipwreck Preserve — Shipwrecks: Dolphin
Specification block, history and present-condition text read; underlying newspapers and registries not independently inspected.
