Antelope (shipwreck) facts for kids
The Antelope underway
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Quick facts for kids History |
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| Name | Antelope |
| Owner | L.S. Bowtell, of Bay City, Michigan |
| Port of registry |  United States |
| Launched | 1861 |
| Fate | Sank 1897 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Steamship, Barge |
| Length | 187 feet (57 meters) |
| Beam | 34 feet (10.4 meters) |
| Depth | 12 feet (3.7 meters) |
The Antelope was a special kind of ship called a steamship. It was later changed into a schooner. This ship sank in Lake Superior near the beautiful Apostle Islands in 1897.
Contents
The Antelope: A Great Lakes Ship
The Antelope was built in 1861. It was made in a place called Newport, Michigan. A person named J.L. Wolverton built it. The ship was owned by L.S. Bowtell from Bay City, Michigan.
Early Days as a Steamship
When it was first built, the Antelope was a steamship. This meant it used a steam engine to move. It was one of the first steamships on the Great Lakes. The Great Lakes are a group of huge freshwater lakes in North America.
The Antelope carried people. It traveled between Buffalo and Chicago. Imagine taking a trip across the lakes on this ship!
Changing to a Schooner
Later on, the Antelope was changed. It became a schooner. A schooner is a type of sailing ship. Instead of carrying passengers, it started to haul (carry) heavy goods. This was called freight.
The Final Journey
On October 7, 1897, the Antelope was on its last trip. It was loaded with cargo, probably coal. Another steamship, the Hiram W. Sibley, was towing it. This means the Hiram W. Sibley was pulling the Antelope.
Sinking Near Michigan Island
Both ships were going to Ashland, Wisconsin. They were delivering coal to a company there. As they got close to Michigan Island, something went wrong. The Antelope started to take on water. This means water began to fill the ship. Soon after, it sank to the bottom of Lake Superior.
A Ship Remembered
Even though the Antelope sank a long time ago, it's still important. It's a part of history.
Historic Recognition
On February 16, 2018, the ship was added to the State Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important historical site in Wisconsin. A few months later, on June 22, 2018, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is an even bigger honor. It means the Antelope is important to the history of the whole country.
