Identification & Site Information

• Name: White Oak
• Former Names: None
• Official Registration Number: 26914
• Date Built and Launched: Built in 1867 by Jackson & Elliott in Saugatuck, Michigan (or Allegan, Michigan)
• Measurements: Length: 105 ft (32 m) Beam: 27 ft (8.2 m) Depth: 7 ft (2.1 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 157 tons
• Net Tonnage: 149 tons
• Date of Loss: October 19, 1885
• Place of Loss: 5 miles south of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, near the harbour entrance

Vessel Type

The White Oak was a wooden-hulled Schooner, typical of the vessels that dominated the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Schooners like the White Oak were essential for transporting bulk commodities such as lumber, coal, grain, and in this case, railroad ties—a key material during the rapid expansion of the American railroad system.

Description

Built in 1867 by Jackson & Elliott of Saugatuck, Michigan (or possibly Allegan), the White Oak was designed to accommodate heavy cargo with her broad beam and shallow Draft. The vessel’s 105-foot length and 157-gross ton capacity made her an effective hauler on Lake Michigan, capable of moving goods between smaller ports like Kewaunee and major urban centers such as Chicago.

The White Oak was registered out of Chicago, reflecting the city’s prominence as a maritime and commercial hub in the Great Lakes region during the late 19th century.

History & Final Voyage

On October 19, 1885, the White Oak was en route from Kewaunee, Wisconsin, to Chicago with a cargo of railroad ties, essential materials for the ongoing expansion of rail lines across the Midwest.

As the Schooner approached Sheboygan, Wisconsin, it encountered a severe storm on Lake Michigan. High winds and heavy waves drove the vessel ashore, approximately 5 miles south of the Sheboygan harbor entrance. The storm rendered the Schooner uncontrollable, and despite the crew’s efforts, the vessel was beached and wrecked.

Rescue and Salvage Efforts:

The U.S. Life-Saving Service, a precursor to the modern U.S. Coast Guard, responded to the distress. All six crew members aboard the White Oak were rescued safely, highlighting the effectiveness of the life-saving services that were increasingly stationed along hazardous stretches of the Great Lakes during this period.

While the vessel itself was declared a Total Loss, the cargo of railroad ties was salvaged, indicating that the shipwreck occurred in relatively shallow waters close to shore, allowing recovery operations to proceed effectively.

Loss of Life

There were no fatalities associated with the wreck of the White Oak. All six crew members were successfully rescued by the U.S. Life-Saving Service, a testament to the growing focus on maritime safety in the late 19th century.

Final Disposition

The White Oak was declared a Total Loss after being driven ashore during the storm near Sheboygan, Wisconsin. No records indicate that the vessel was salvaged or Rebuilt, and her remains likely deteriorated over time along the shoreline.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No specific navigational warnings related to the White Oak have been issued, but the area south of Sheboygan remains a region with shifting sandbars and sudden weather changes that can challenge even modern mariners.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Maritime Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• U.S. Life-Saving Service Heritage Association

Conclusion

The wreck of the White Oak in 1885 reflects the constant risks faced by Great Lakes mariners, particularly in the unpredictable waters of Lake Michigan. Although her loss was a blow to her owners and the maritime community of Chicago, the successful rescue of her crew by the U.S. Life-Saving Service underscores the progress being made in maritime safety during this era. The salvage of her cargo of railroad ties also highlights the continued importance of Great Lakes shipping to the industrial development of the Midwest, particularly during a time when the railroad industry was expanding rapidly.

Suggested Keywords: White Oak Schooner, Sheboygan shipwrecks, Lake Michigan maritime disasters, Great Lakes Schooner losses, railroad tie transport, U.S. Life-Saving Service rescues.

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Wooden Schooners of the Great Lakes, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Chicago Maritime History.

Glossary Terms: Schooner, Grounding, Railroad Tie Transport, Maritime Rescue, Lake Michigan Storms.