Identification & Site Information

• Name: ABIAH
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: None
• Type at Loss: Schooner or Brig, Wood, 2-Mast
• Build Information: 1848, Irving, New York
• Specifications: 134 ft x 27 ft x 11 ft (40.8 m x 8.2 m x 3.4 m), 353 tonnage (Old Style)
• Date of Loss: September 1, 1854
• Place of Loss: Approximately 10 miles off Sheboygan, Wisconsin
• Type of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo: Light

Vessel Type

The ABIAH was a wooden Schooner or Brig, equipped with two masts, typical of mid-19th-century merchant vessels operating on the Great Lakes. Schooners and brigs of this size were designed for bulk freight transport but also carried passengers occasionally. Their versatility made them essential to the growing trade network between burgeoning port cities like Chicago and smaller towns along Lake Michigan.

Description & History

The ABIAH was constructed in 1848 in Irving, New York, and quickly became part of the expanding maritime trade on the Great Lakes. Registered out of Chicago, she was engaged in the transportation of goods and passengers, servicing ports along the Wisconsin shoreline and further inland.

On September 1, 1854, while en route from Chicago to Oconto, Wisconsin, the ABIAH encountered a sudden squall approximately 10 miles off Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Squalls were a notorious hazard on the lakes, often appearing without warning and bringing powerful winds capable of overwhelming even seasoned mariners. Despite her light cargo, the vessel capsized in the rough weather and quickly sank.

Fortunately, the entire crew and two passengers aboard were rescued by the passing Schooner L. LUDINGTON. The successful rescue was a rare positive outcome in an era when many such incidents led to tragic losses of life. The ABIAH was declared a Total Loss.

Final Disposition

The ABIAH sank in Lake Michigan and remains there, contributing to the region’s extensive collection of shipwrecks. Given the depth and conditions where she sank, the wreck remains scattered and uncharted, common for vessels lost during this period.

Located By & Date Found

• Located By: No specific records indicate that the ABIAH has been located.

• Date Found: No documented discovery.

Notices to Mariners & Advisories

• Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs): None currently issued for this wreck site.

• Advisories: Mariners in the Sheboygan, Wisconsin area should remain cautious due to the historical presence of shipwrecks, though no specific hazard from the ABIAH has been reported.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes – Archival records on Great Lakes shipwrecks.
• Great Lakes Ships Database – Database of vessels lost or active on the Great Lakes.
• David Swayze Shipwreck File – Comprehensive listing of Great Lakes shipwrecks.
• Sheboygan Maritime Museum – Local history resources on maritime activities in the Sheboygan area.

Conclusion

The ABIAH represents the countless vessels that braved the unpredictable waters of Lake Michigan during the height of Great Lakes maritime commerce. Her loss, while devoid of fatalities, underscores the dangers faced by sailors in an era before modern weather forecasting and navigational aids. The rescue of her crew and passengers by the Schooner L. LUDINGTON remains a testament to the resilience and camaraderie among seafarers of the time. Though her physical remains may never be found, the ABIAH remains a part of the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history.

Keywords

Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Lake Michigan Maritime History, Sheboygan Shipwrecks, 19th-Century Schooners, ABIAH Wreck, Irving New York Shipbuilding, Chicago Maritime Trade, Great Lakes Storm Wrecks, Rescue at Sea, L. Ludington.