Identification & Site Information

• Name: A. P. DUTTON
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 376
• Date Built and Launched: 1856
• Builder: E. W. Beckwith, Racine, Wisconsin
• Homeport: Benton Harbor, Michigan
• Final Owner: Patrick Kinney, Benton Harbor, Michigan
• Vessel Type: Wooden Two-Masted Schooner
• Hull Materials: Wood
• Power: Sail-powered
• Measurements: Length: 65 ft (19.8 m) Beam: 15 ft (4.6 m) Depth: 6 ft (1.8 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 44 tons
• Primary Cargo: Schoolhouse furniture
• Final Route: Chicago, IL → Benton Harbor, MI

Vessel Type

The A. P. DUTTON was a two-masted wooden schooner, a common type of vessel used for transporting cargo across the Great Lakes.

Key Features of Great Lakes Schooners:

• Primarily wind-powered with Fore-and-Aft Sails
• Used for hauling cargo like lumber, grain, coal, and general merchandise
• Often operated seasonally due to ice and storm conditions on the lakes

At 65 feet in length and 44 tons, the A. P. DUTTON was a small cargo Schooner, possibly used for short-haul routes between Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois ports.

History

The A. P. DUTTON operated for 12 years, primarily as a cargo vessel, before its disappearance in December 1868.

Key Events in the Vessel’s History:

• 1856: Built in Racine, Wisconsin, by E. W. Beckwith.
• 1868, December 8: Departed Chicago, Illinois, carrying schoolhouse furniture to Benton Harbor, Michigan.
• 1868, December 8 or later: Disappeared in a storm; presumed Foundered with all hands.

Final Disposition

The A. P. DUTTON was lost sometime after December 8, 1868, in an unknown location on Lake Michigan.

The Disaster

• The vessel left Chicago bound for Benton Harbor but never arrived.
• A storm likely overtook the small Schooner, causing it to founder.
• The entire crew of three plus one passenger perished.

This loss highlights the dangers of winter sailing on the Great Lakes, where storms, high winds, and freezing temperatures could easily overwhelm smaller vessels.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return. There are no confirmed reports of the A. P. DUTTON‘s wreck remains being discovered or documented.

Due to its small size and wooden construction, the wreck may be buried under lake sediments or deteriorated over time.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil return. No modern navigational hazards related to this wreck are reported.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Great Lakes Shipwreck File
• Michigan Maritime Museum (South Haven, MI) (Local shipwreck records)
• Benton Harbor Historical Society (Potential references to vessel ownership and trade routes)
• Wisconsin Maritime Museum (Manitowoc, WI) (Historical records on Racine-built vessels)

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Conclusion

The A. P. DUTTON was a small Schooner that met a tragic fate, vanishing in a storm with all hands in December 1868.

Its final resting place remains unknown, but it serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and often deadly conditions on the Great Lakes, especially in winter.