SS Louisiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Louisiana (shipwreck)
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The Louisiana prior to the storm
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 Location in Wisconsin
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| Location | Lake Michigan off the coast of Washington, Door County, Wisconsin |
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| NRHP reference No. | 92000104 |
| Added to NRHP | March 19, 1992 |
The Louisiana was a large steamboat that sank in Lake Michigan. This happened near Washington Island, Wisconsin. It went down during a huge storm in 1913. Today, the place where the ship rests is a special historical site. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
Contents
The Ship's Journey
The Louisiana was built in 1887. Workers in Marine City, Michigan constructed the ship. Its powerful engine was made in Detroit, Michigan.
A Trip Across the Lakes
On November 2, 1913, the Louisiana started a new trip. It left Lorain, Ohio, carrying a lot of coal. The ship was heading to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After dropping off the coal, it sailed towards Escanaba, Michigan. There, it planned to pick up a load of iron ore.
Caught in a Storm
In the early morning of November 8, 1913, the ship sailed into Porte des Morts. This area is also known as "Death's Door." A very bad snowstorm hit the ship. The captain tried to find a safe spot near Washington Island. But the waves were too big and the wind too strong. The ship's anchors could not hold it. The Louisiana was pushed onto the shore.
A Daring Rescue
The crew of the Louisiana first decided to stay on the ship. They did not want to use their small lifeboat in the wild storm. But then, a fire started in the ship's cargo area. The crew had no choice but to leave. A rescue ship from Plum Island tried to reach them. However, the huge waves made it impossible. Luckily, all the crew members were able to get to shore safely.
The Shipwreck Today
After the sinking, some parts of the ship were saved. These included the boiler, engine, propeller, and rudder. Today, the Louisiana shipwreck is a popular spot. Many divers and archaeologists visit the site. The ship rests in about 10 to 25 feet (3 to 7.6 meters) of water. You can find it on the southeast side of Washington Harbor.
