The three masted schooner Lydia Case was built at the Greenleaf S. Rand shipyard in Manitowoc, Wisconsin in 1862. In 1863 the Lydia Case was valued at $15,000 and rated A1 by the Lake Underwriters. The vessel was originally listed as having a capacity of 15,000 bushels of wheat, but on her maiden voyage she carried 14,000 bushels which was the largest load of the season. She also was known to carry salt and coal. At the time of loss, 1872, the insurance had just been increased from $500 to $800 with $7,000 coverage on the cargo.

Last Document of Enrollment No.8 Surrendered: Milwaukee: December 31, 1872; "Total Loss".
"Two separate times within one year the schooner Lydia Case met with bad luck at Death's Door. The first encounter, in September of 1872, she was saved; the second time she was not so lucky. The vessel had departed Milwaukee for Green Bay in November, but got only as far as the reefs of Pilot Island. Here she met her end. The only saving grace was that the owners, Orson and Company of Racine, had just increased their vessel insurance from $500 to $800 after her previous mishap. They also had $7000 coverage on the cargo. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the disaster." Hirthe

The schooner, Lydia Case became a total wreck as it was found impossible to free her with a steam pump. The cargo of coal was salvaged the following year by Van Nostrand and Son using the steamer Union.