Shipwreck Report: ARKANSAS (1849)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: ARKANSAS
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: None
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood-hulled, 2-mast
• Date Built and Launched: 1849
• Builder: Sherwin’s Bay, New York
• Measurements: 107 ft (32.6 m) length, 24 ft (7.3 m) beam, 10 ft (3 m) depth; 240 tons (old measurement)
• Date Lost: June 1858
• Place of Loss: Near Kenosha, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden Two-Masted Schooner

Description

The ARKANSAS was a wooden two-masted Schooner constructed in 1849 at Sherwin’s Bay, New York. Measuring 107 feet in length and weighing 240 tons, the vessel was designed for the transportation of bulk cargoes such as lumber and Railroad Iron, which were in high demand during the mid-19th century as the American Midwest rapidly industrialized and expanded.

Schooners like the ARKANSAS were the backbone of the Great Lakes maritime trade, capable of efficiently navigating both open waters and smaller harbors. The vessel’s sturdy build and sizeable cargo capacity made her well-suited for long voyages across the lakes, though she also faced the constant risks posed by Great Lakes storms and navigational hazards.

History

Throughout her career, the ARKANSAS was involved in several maritime incidents that foreshadowed her eventual demise. On November 15, 1852, the vessel ran ashore at Long Point Cut on Lake Erie while carrying a cargo of Railroad Iron. Though she was salvaged, the incident highlights the perils of navigating the Great Lakes, particularly in the narrow and shifting channels of Lake Erie.

In late November 1855, the ARKANSAS again found herself in trouble when she stranded and wrecked in Green Bay. Despite these repeated mishaps, the Schooner was repaired and returned to service, a testament to the economic pressures of the time that made salvaging and repairing vessels more viable than scrapping them.

The Schooner’s final voyage occurred in June 1858 while transporting a load of lumber on Lake Michigan. As she approached Kenosha, Wisconsin, a storm struck, driving the vessel off course. The ARKANSAS missed the entrance to the harbor and was wrecked near the north piers of Kenosha. The force of the storm and the vessel’s grounding caused her to go to pieces, resulting in a Total Loss valued at $2,000. Despite the destruction, there were no reports of loss of life.

Final Disposition

Driven ashore and wrecked near the north piers of Kenosha, Lake Michigan, in June 1858 during a storm. The vessel was totally destroyed with an estimated loss of $2,000. No lives were lost.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no confirmed reports of the ARKANSAS wreck being located off Kenosha, Wisconsin. Given the description that the vessel went “to pieces,” it is likely that the wreck was scattered or salvaged in the aftermath.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the ARKANSAS wreck site near Kenosha, Lake Michigan.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Wisconsin Maritime Museum
• Kenosha History Center

Conclusion

The ARKANSAS’s loss in 1858 illustrates the hazards faced by schooners navigating the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Built in 1849, the vessel had a turbulent career marked by multiple incidents, including groundings in Lake Erie and Green Bay, before her final wreck near Kenosha, Wisconsin. Despite her repeated misfortunes, the ARKANSAS remained in service until her destruction, reflecting the economic necessity of maintaining even damaged vessels in the bustling Great Lakes shipping industry.

The Schooner’s final wreck near Kenosha serves as a reminder of the unpredictable storms that have claimed countless ships on Lake Michigan. While the ARKANSAS is largely forgotten today, her story contributes to the broader history of maritime commerce in the Great Lakes, highlighting both the dangers and the resilience of the vessels and crews that helped build the region’s economy.

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Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Term

• Keywords: ARKANSAS Schooner shipwreck, Kenosha Lake Michigan shipwreck, Sherwin’s Bay shipbuilders, Great Lakes lumber Schooner, Lake Erie Long Point shipwreck
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Kenosha Maritime History
• Glossary Terms:
• Went to Pieces: A maritime term indicating that a vessel broke apart due to structural failure or severe weather, leaving little recoverable material.
• Stranded: Refers to a vessel that has run aground and is unable to refloat without assistance, often leading to significant damage.
• North Piers of Kenosha: A key navigational landmark near Kenosha Harbor, known for its hazardous approach during adverse weather conditions.