Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Appomattox
• Type: bulk freighter
• Year Built: 1896
• Builder: James Davidson, West Bay City, Michigan
• Dimensions: 320 ft (97.5 m); Beam: 42 ft (12.8 m); Depth of hold: 23 ft (7 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 2,643 gross tons, 2,082 net tons
• Location: North Point, near Milwaukee
• Official Number: 107236

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Wooden Bulk Freighter

Description

The APPOMATTOX was a wooden-hulled bulk freighter built in 1896 by renowned shipbuilder James Davidson in West Bay City, Michigan. At 320 feet long, she was one of the largest wooden ships ever constructed for Great Lakes service, reflecting the transitional period when wooden freighters were still competing with steel-hulled vessels for dominance in the shipping industry. Designed to carry bulk commodities such as coal, the APPOMATTOX was a significant player in the Great Lakes freight network during her operational years.

History

The APPOMATTOX served as a coal carrier on Lake Michigan and was frequently involved in towing operations. On her final voyage in November 1905, she was towing the barge SANTIAGO when disaster struck. While navigating near North Point just outside Milwaukee, the APPOMATTOX encountered dense fog and smoke, likely from nearby industrial activities or burning coal, which severely limited visibility.

On November 2, 1905, the vessel ran aground in the fog, becoming stranded on North Point. Despite efforts to free her, the APPOMATTOX remained stuck, and over the following weeks, a series of storms battered the stranded freighter. The final blow came during a massive gale on November 29, 1905, which destroyed the vessel completely, breaking her apart beyond recovery.

Though the ship itself was lost, Reid Wrecking salvaged the boilers, which were stored on a Milwaukee dock until 1922. Interestingly, the APPOMATTOX’s engine remains at the wreck site, a testament to the ship’s once-mighty presence.

Significant Incidents

• The APPOMATTOX ran aground on November 2, 1905, due to fog.
• She was subsequently destroyed by storms, with the final destruction occurring during a gale on November 29, 1905.
• Boilers salvaged by Reid Wrecking; the engine remains at the wreck site.

Final Disposition

Stranded on North Point due to fog on November 2, 1905. Subsequently destroyed by storms, with the final blow from a gale on November 29, 1905. Boilers salvaged by Reid Wrecking; engine remains at the wreck site.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The wreck remains visible near North Point, Milwaukee. Portions of the APPOMATTOX can still be seen in shallow water, making it a popular site for divers and maritime historians.

Resources & Links

The APPOMATTOX stands as a symbol of both the ambition and limitations of wooden shipbuilding at the turn of the 20th century. Her grounding and eventual destruction in 1905 not only ended the career of one of the largest wooden bulk freighters on the Great Lakes but also served as a catalyst for improving maritime safety in the Milwaukee area. Today, the remnants of the APPOMATTOX continue to attract divers and historians, offering a tangible link to the rich shipping history of Lake Michigan. The vessel’s story is a stark reminder of the unpredictable forces of nature and the evolving technology of maritime navigation.