Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: A.V. Knickerbocker
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1840
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length: Not specified; Beam: Not specified; Depth of hold: Not specified
- Registered Tonnage: Not specified
- Location: Approximately 10 miles offshore of Port Washington, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: Not available
- Number of Masts: Two or more
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner.
Description
The A.V. Knickerbocker was a wooden schooner constructed in 1840. Specific details regarding her dimensions and construction are not readily available. As a schooner, she would have been a sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically used for transporting goods across the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century.
History
On Sunday, August 26, 1855, the A.V. Knickerbocker encountered a severe gale approximately 10 miles offshore of Port Washington, Wisconsin. The vessel capsized during the storm. The schooner Charley Hibbard passed close by but did not render assistance, as her captain deemed it too risky due to his vessel being heavily laden with lumber. After the foremast was cut away, the A.V. Knickerbocker partially righted and drifted ashore about 6 miles north of Port Washington.
Significant Incidents
- August 26, 1855: The A.V. Knickerbocker capsized in a gale approximately 10 miles offshore of Port Washington, Wisconsin.
Final Disposition
The A.V. Knickerbocker was declared a total loss following the incident. Details regarding salvage efforts or the fate of the wreckage are not specified.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There is no available information indicating that the wreck of the A.V. Knickerbocker has been located or identified in modern times. There are no current navigational markers or advisories related to the wreck site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”a-v-knickerbocker-1840″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The loss of the A.V. Knickerbocker highlights the perils faced by schooners navigating the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century, particularly the dangers posed by sudden gales. The incident also underscores the difficult decisions captains had to make when considering rescue efforts under hazardous conditions.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: A.V. Knickerbocker
- Former Names: None
- Official Number: Not available
- Date Built and Launched: 1840
- Measurements:
- Length: Not specified
- Beam: Not specified
- Depth: Not specified
- Gross Tonnage: Not specified
- Date Lost: August 26, 1855
- Cause: Capsized in a gale
- Cargo at Time of Loss: Not specified
- Place of Loss: Approximately 10 miles offshore of Port Washington, Lake Michigan(Walmart.com, Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Wisconsin Shipwrecks, Highlander)
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner .
Description
The A.V. Knickerbocker was a wooden schooner constructed in 1840. Specific details regarding her dimensions and construction are not readily available. As a schooner, she would have been a sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically used for transporting goods across the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century.
History
On Sunday, August 26, 1855, the A.V. Knickerbocker encountered a severe gale approximately 10 miles offshore of Port Washington, Wisconsin. The vessel capsized during the storm. The schooner Charley Hibbard passed close by but did not render assistance, as her captain deemed it too risky due to his vessel being heavily laden with lumber. After the foremast was cut away, the A.V. Knickerbocker partially righted and drifted ashore about 6 miles north of Port Washington. (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Final Disposition
The A.V. Knickerbocker was declared a total loss following the incident. Details regarding salvage efforts or the fate of the wreckage are not specified.
Located By & Date Found
There is no available information indicating that the wreck of the A.V. Knickerbocker has been located or identified in modern times.
Notmars & Advisories
There are no current navigational markers or advisories related to the wreck site of the A.V. Knickerbocker.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The loss of the A.V. Knickerbocker highlights the perils faced by schooners navigating the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century, particularly the dangers posed by sudden gales. The incident also underscores the difficult decisions captains had to make when considering rescue efforts under hazardous conditions.
Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms
- Keywords: A.V. Knickerbocker, Lake Michigan shipwreck, schooner, 1855 gale, Port Washington
- Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Disasters, Wooden Schooners
- Glossary Terms:
- Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically used for transporting bulk cargoes on the Great Lakes.
- Capsize: When a vessel overturns in the water.
- Gale: A strong wind, typically used to describe wind speeds between 34 and 40 knots (63–74 km/h or 39–46 mph).