Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

A.B. King US 145273

Explore the wreck of the A.B. King, a wooden schooner-barge lost in a summer gale in 1928 off Harbor Beach, Michigan.

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

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.