Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: A.B. King
- Type: Wooden schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1881
- Builder: G. Koenig (King) in Marine City, Michigan
- Dimensions: 177 ft (53.95 m); Beam: 32 ft (9.75 m); Depth of hold: 15 ft (4.57 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 594 tons (approx. 538.9 metric tonnes)
- Location: Off Harbor Beach, Michigan
- Official Number: 145273
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner-barge, a type of vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries for transporting bulk cargoes.
Description
The A.B. King was a two-masted wooden schooner-barge designed for the transportation of bulk goods across the Great Lakes. Such vessels were integral to commerce in the region, facilitating the movement of essential commodities between ports.
History
Built in 1881 by G. Koenig (King) in Marine City, Michigan, the A.B. King served as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes for 47 years. On August 11, 1928, the vessel encountered a severe summer gale on Lake Huron. The storm caused the A.B. King to strand off Harbor Beach, Michigan, where it subsequently broke up. Details regarding the cargo and the fate of the crew at the time of loss are not specified in the available records.
Significant Incidents
- August 11, 1928: The A.B. King stranded and broke up during a summer gale off Harbor Beach, Michigan.
Final Disposition
The A.B. King was declared a total loss following the incident. There are no records indicating that any part of the vessel was salvaged or that the wreck was recovered.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There is no available information indicating that the wreck of the A.B. King has been located or identified in modern times. There are also no current navigational markers or advisories related to the wreck site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”a-b-king-us-145273″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The A.B. King’s wreck underscores the hazards faced by schooner-barges navigating the often treacherous waters of Lake Huron. While the vessel’s remains have not been located, its story contributes to the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes region.
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.B. King
- Former Names: None
- Official Number: 145273
- Date Built and Launched: 1881, constructed by G. Koenig (King) in Marine City, Michigan
- Measurements:
- Length: 177 feet (53.95 metres)
- Beam: 32 feet (9.75 metres)
- Depth: 15 feet (4.57 metres)
- Gross Tonnage: 594 tons (approx. 538.9 metric tonnes)
- Net Tonnage: 565 tons (approx. 512.6 metric tonnes)
- Date Lost: August 11, 1928
- Cause: Stranded and broke up during a summer gale
- Cargo at Time of Loss: Not specified
- Place of Loss: Off Harbor Beach, Michigan, Lake Huron(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Reddit, Midland Daily News)
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner-barge, a type of vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries for transporting bulk cargoes.
Description
The A.B. King was a two-masted wooden schooner-barge designed for the transportation of bulk goods across the Great Lakes. Such vessels were integral to commerce in the region, facilitating the movement of essential commodities between ports.
History
Built in 1881 by G. Koenig (King) in Marine City, Michigan, the A.B. King served as a cargo vessel on the Great Lakes for 47 years. On August 11, 1928, the vessel encountered a severe summer gale on Lake Huron. The storm caused the A.B. King to strand off Harbor Beach, Michigan, where it subsequently broke up. Details regarding the cargo and the fate of the crew at the time of loss are not specified in the available records.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Disposition
The A.B. King was declared a total loss following the incident. There are no records indicating that any part of the vessel was salvaged or that the wreck was recovered.
Located By & Date Found
There is no available information indicating that the wreck of the A.B. King 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.B. King.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The A.B. King’s wreck underscores the hazards faced by schooner-barges navigating the often treacherous waters of Lake Huron. While the vessel’s remains have not been located, its story contributes to the rich maritime history of the Great Lakes region.(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms
- Keywords: A.B. King, Lake Huron shipwreck, wooden schooner-barge, 1928 storm, Harbor Beach Michigan
- Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime Disasters, Wooden Schooner-Barges
- Glossary Terms:
- Schooner-Barge: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically used for transporting bulk cargoes on the Great Lakes.
- Gale: A strong wind, typically used to describe wind speeds of 34–40 knots (63–74 km/h or 39–46 mph).
- Stranded: A term used to describe a vessel that has run aground or is stuck on a shore or reef.