Identification & Site Information

• Name: WILLIAM M. ARBUCKLE (also seen as W. M. ARBUCKLE)
• Official Number: 26167
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood-hulled
• Date Built and Launched: 1853
• Builder: Foster & Winal, Erie, Pennsylvania
• Measurements: 97 ft (29.6 m) length, 23 ft (7 m) beam, 9 ft (2.7 m) depth; 126 tons (170 tons original measurement)
• Date Lost: November 23, 1868
• Place of Loss: Sister Bay, Green Bay, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden Schooner

Description

The WILLIAM M. ARBUCKLE was a wooden Schooner constructed in 1853 by Foster & Winal in Erie, Pennsylvania. Measuring nearly 100 feet in length, the Schooner was built for bulk cargo transportation across the Great Lakes. Like many vessels of her kind, she would have been engaged in carrying goods such as lumber, grain, or coal between ports along Lake Michigan and Lake Erie. The Schooner was registered out of Milwaukee and owned by Brearly at the time of her loss.

History

The WILLIAM M. ARBUCKLE served for 15 years on the Great Lakes, navigating the often treacherous waters between major shipping hubs such as Milwaukee, Erie, and Chicago. Throughout her operational life, she contributed to the booming commerce of the mid-19th century, which saw a rapid expansion in the shipping industry to meet the growing needs of an industrializing America.

On November 23, 1868, while sailing on Lake Michigan, the WILLIAM M. ARBUCKLE encountered a severe gale near Sister Bay in Green Bay. In an attempt to prevent sinking, the Schooner was put ashore, a common tactic to save a vessel from being lost in deeper waters. However, the damage sustained during the storm and grounding proved too severe.

The Tug AMERICAN EAGLE arrived in an effort to pump out the water and salvage the vessel, but despite their efforts, the Schooner could not be saved. She was Abandoned as a Total Loss. There are no reports of loss of life associated with the incident, suggesting that the crew managed to evacuate safely.

Final Disposition

Put ashore in Sister Bay during a gale on November 23, 1868, to prevent sinking. After unsuccessful salvage attempts by the Tug American Eagle, the Schooner was Abandoned as a Total Loss.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—no confirmed reports of the wreck’s recovery or current location.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the WILLIAM M. ARBUCKLE wreck site in Sister Bay, Green Bay.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Wisconsin Shipwrecks

Conclusion

The WILLIAM M. ARBUCKLE‘s loss in 1868 highlights the constant dangers faced by schooners operating on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Despite efforts to save the vessel by grounding her during a gale and subsequent salvage attempts by the Tug AMERICAN EAGLE, the Schooner was ultimately Abandoned. Her story reflects the resilience of mariners and the challenges posed by sudden storms on Lake Michigan. While no lives were lost, the Total Loss of the vessel would have been a significant financial blow to her owner, Brearly of Milwaukee.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: WILLIAM M. ARBUCKLE Schooner, Sister Bay shipwreck, Green Bay maritime history, Lake Michigan Schooner loss, AMERICAN EAGLE Tug salvage, Foster & Winal shipbuilders
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Milwaukee Shipping History
• Glossary Terms:
• Put Ashore: The deliberate grounding of a vessel in shallow waters or onshore to prevent sinking in deeper water.
• Gale: A strong wind, typically classified between 34 and 47 knots, often leading to hazardous conditions on the Great Lakes.
• Sister Bay: A bay in Green Bay, Lake Michigan, known for its maritime history and as a frequent location of shipwrecks due to sudden weather changes.