Barbarian (1855)

Explore the wreck of the Barbarian, a schooner lost in a storm in 1898 while carrying railroad ties on Lake Michigan.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Barbarian
  • Type: Schooner
  • Year Built: 1855
  • Builder: Not specified
  • Dimensions: Not specified
  • Registered Tonnage: Not specified
  • Location: Just outside the harbour
  • Coordinates: Not specified
  • Official Number: Not specified
  • Original Owners: Not specified
  • Number of Masts: Two or more

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Barbarian was a schooner, a type of sailing vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes during the 19th century for transporting bulk cargo such as lumber, coal, and railroad ties. Schooners were favored for their speed and maneuverability, especially in the variable conditions of the Great Lakes.

Description

Specific details regarding the Barbarian‘s construction, dimensions, and tonnage are not documented in the available records. However, as a schooner built in 1855, she would have been constructed with a wooden hull and rigged with two or more masts, designed for efficient cargo transport across the Great Lakes.

History

On October 25, 1898, the Barbarian was anchored just outside the harbour, attempting to ride out a storm while carrying a cargo of 4,500 railroad ties. Despite efforts to weather the storm, the vessel’s stern was compromised, leading to her sinking. Details about the specific location of the incident, the fate of the crew, and subsequent salvage operations are not documented in the available sources.

Significant Incidents

  • The Barbarian sank on October 25, 1898, during a storm while anchored outside the harbour.

Final Disposition

The Barbarian was declared a total loss after sinking during the storm. Information regarding salvage efforts or the current state of the wreck is not available in the existing records.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As of current records, there is no publicly available information indicating that the wreck of the Barbarian has been located or surveyed.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”barbarian-1855″ title=”References & Links”]

The Barbarian‘s loss in 1898 highlights the perils faced by schooners operating on the Great Lakes, particularly when attempting to ride out severe storms while anchored. While specific details about her operations and final voyage are scarce, the incident contributes to the broader narrative of maritime history in the 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.

  • Name: Barbarian
  • Former Names: None reported
  • Official Registration Number: Not specified
  • Date Built & Launched: 1855
  • Builder: Not specified
  • Construction: Presumed wooden-hulled schooner
  • Tonnage: Not specified
  • Dimensions: Not specified
  • Date Lost: October 25, 1898
  • Location of Loss: Just outside the harbour (specific location not specified)
  • Coordinates: Not specified
  • Cargo at Time of Loss: 4,500 railroad ties
  • Cause of Loss: Anchored outside the harbour to ride out a storm; stern was compromised, leading to sinking
  • Crew: Not specified
  • Final Disposition: Total loss
  • Owner at Time of Loss: Not specified
  • Sources: Great Lakes Shipwreck Files(wisconsinshipwrecks.org, Wikipedia, Facebook, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, OnMilwaukee)

Vessel Type(wisconsinshipwrecks.org)

The Barbarian was a schooner, a type of sailing vessel commonly used on the Great Lakes during the 19th century for transporting bulk cargo such as lumber, coal, and railroad ties. Schooners were favored for their speed and maneuverability, especially in the variable conditions of the Great Lakes.

Description(Michigan)

Specific details regarding the Barbarian‘s construction, dimensions, and tonnage are not documented in the available records. However, as a schooner built in 1855, she would have been constructed with a wooden hull and rigged with two or more masts, designed for efficient cargo transport across the Great Lakes.

History(OAPEN Library)

On October 25, 1898, the Barbarian was anchored just outside the harbour, attempting to ride out a storm while carrying a cargo of 4,500 railroad ties. Despite efforts to weather the storm, the vessel’s stern was compromised, leading to her sinking. Details about the specific location of the incident, the fate of the crew, and subsequent salvage operations are not documented in the available sources.

Final Disposition(Project Gutenberg)

The Barbarian was declared a total loss after sinking during the storm. Information regarding salvage efforts or the current state of the wreck is not available in the existing records.

Located By & Date Found

As of current records, there is no publicly available information indicating that the wreck of the Barbarian has been located or surveyed.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories related to the Barbarian. Mariners operating in the area should consult the latest nautical charts and local notices for any updates.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Barbarian‘s loss in 1898 highlights the perils faced by schooners operating on the Great Lakes, particularly when attempting to ride out severe storms while anchored. While specific details about her operations and final voyage are scarce, the incident contributes to the broader narrative of maritime history in the region.

Suggested Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Barbarian, schooner, Great Lakes shipwreck, 1898 storm, railroad ties

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Great Lakes Maritime History, 19th-Century Schooners, Maritime Disasters

Glossary Terms:

  • Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically with the foremast shorter than the mainmast, used extensively on the Great Lakes for cargo transport.
  • Railroad Ties: Rectangular support for the rails in railroad tracks, commonly made of wood during the 19th century.
  • Harbour: A sheltered body of water where ships can anchor safely, often equipped with facilities for loading and unloading cargo.
  • Total Loss: A term indicating that a vessel is damaged beyond repair or recovery.

Shore Dive Information

Given that the Barbarian‘s wreck has not been located and is presumed to be in an unknown location, there is no shore dive information available for this site.

barbarian-1855 1898-10-25 11:49:00