Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

A.V. Knickerbocker (1840)

Explore the wreck of the A.V. Knickerbocker, a wooden schooner that capsized in a gale on Lake Michigan in 1855. A reminder of the challenges faced by mariners in the Great Lakes.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: A.V. Knickerbocker
  • Type: Wooden schooner
  • Year Built: 1840
  • 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

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

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.