Identification & Site Information

• Name: Walter B. Allen
• Registry Number: US 26561
• Date Built and Launched: 1866
• Measurements:
• Length: 136.8 feet (41.7 metres)
• Width: 26.2 feet (8.0 metres)
• Depth: 11.1 feet (3.4 metres)
• Date Lost: April 17, 1880
• GPS N 43° 49.821′ W 087° 36.522′
• Google Maps Walter B. Allen Shipwreck

Vessel Type

Canal Schooner

Description

The Walter B. Allen was a two-masted wooden Canal Schooner, commonly referred to as a “canaller,” constructed in 1866 by H.C. Pierson in Ogdensburg, New York. Designed to navigate the Welland Canal, which connects Lake Ontario to Lake Erie, canallers were characterized by their narrow beam, allowing them to pass through the canal’s locks. The Walter B. Allen primarily transported bulk cargoes such as grain and coal across the Great Lakes, playing a vital role in the regional trade network during the late 19th century.

History

Throughout its operational life, the Walter B. Allen was involved in several notable incidents:

• April 10, 1880: The Schooner ran aground in South Manitou Harbor, losing its mainsail and anchor. A steam pump was installed on board to manage water ingress, and the Tug Caroline Williams was dispatched to tow the vessel to Manitowoc for repairs.

Final Disposition

On April 17, 1880, while under tow by the Caroline Williams en route to Manitowoc, the Walter B. Allen encountered a northwesterly gale accompanied by heavy snowfall. The severe weather caused seas to break over the Schooner, extinguishing the steam pump’s fire and leading to uncontrollable flooding. Recognizing the imminent danger, the crew was safely transferred to the Tug. Approximately twenty minutes later, the Walter B. Allen sank in Lake Michigan. Due to the blizzard conditions, the exact sinking location was not immediately determined.

Located By & Date Found

The wreck of the Walter B. Allen was later discovered lying upright on the lakebed in 165 feet (50.3 metres) of water, approximately 13 miles (20.9 kilometres) northeast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Remarkably well-preserved, the vessel’s two masts remain standing, rising to within 90 feet (27.4 metres) of the surface. The steam pump installed after the South Manitou grounding is still chained to the Deck.

NOTMARs & Advisories

The wreck site is a popular destination for advanced divers due to its depth and intact structure. Divers should exercise caution due to potential underwater hazards and are advised to adhere to preservation guidelines to protect the historical integrity of the site.

Resources & Links

• Wisconsin Shipwrecks: Walter B. Allen (1866):
• Great Lakes Maritime Collection: Walter B. Allen (1866): 
• 3D Shipwrecks – Walter B Allen

3D Model – Walter B. Allen

Conclusion

The Walter B. Allen serves as a significant example of canal schooners that were essential to the commerce and navigation of the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Its well-preserved wreck offers valuable insights into the construction and operation of such vessels, contributing to our understanding of maritime history in the region.

Keywords: Walter B. Allen, Canal Schooner, Lake Michigan shipwrecks, 19th-century Great Lakes vessels, maritime history, underwater archaeology

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Great Lakes Maritime History, 19th-Century Schooners

Glossary Terms:

• Canal Schooner (Canaller): A type of Schooner designed with a narrow beam to navigate the locks of the Welland Canal, facilitating trade between the lower and upper Great Lakes.

• Steam Pump: A mechanical device powered by steam used to remove water from a vessel’s hold, essential for managing leaks and preventing sinking.

• Capstan: A rotating machine used on sailing ships to apply force to ropes, cables, and hawsers, crucial for tasks such as raising anchors.

Directions / Google Maps

Walter B. Allen Shipwreck

Lake Michigan, northeast of Sheboygan, WI

The remains of the Canal Schooner Walter B. Allen, which sank in 1880, lie in 165 feet of water approximately 13 miles northeast of Sheboygan, Wisconsin.