Other Names #
- ALVIN BUCKINGHAM
History #
The A. Buckingham, also known as Alvin Buckingham, was a schooner built in 1853 by A. Gilmore in Perrysburg, Ohio. It had an official number of 386 and was registered in Cleveland, Ohio. The specifications of the vessel were approximately 125 feet in length, 26 feet in beam, and 10 feet in depth. It had a gross tonnage of 205.41 (pre-list).
On October 15, 1870, the A. Buckingham was sailing on Lake Huron, approximately 15 miles above Harrisville, Michigan, when it encountered a storm. The heavily-laden schooner sprung a leak and was turned towards the shore in an attempt to save it. However, it sank in three fathoms (20 feet) of water. The crew abandoned the vessel in a yawl boat and was later rescued by the tug SANDUSKY. There is no record of the A. Buckingham being raised.
In subsequent years, the steam wrecking barge MONITOR conducted operations in the area and salvaged iron ore from various wrecks, including the A. Buckingham. The wreck of the A. Buckingham was located approximately one mile below Black River Island on Black River Reef. The vessel was listed as a total loss.
Unfortunately, there is no information available regarding the loss of life in this incident.
