Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Boaz
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1869
- Builder: Amos C. Stoakes, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
- Dimensions: Originally 82.8 ft (25.2 m) in length; rebuilt in 1874 to 114 ft (34.7 m), 22.3 ft (6.8 m) beam, 7.8 ft (2.4 m) depth
- Registered Tonnage: 127.22 gross tons
- Depth at Wreck Site: 4.6 m / 15 ft
- Location: North Bay, Door County, Wisconsin
- Official Number: Not specified
- Original Owners: Not specified
- Number of Masts: Three-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden three-masted schooner (double centerboard configuration)
Description
The Boaz was a lumber schooner built in 1869 and modified in 1874 to increase her cargo capacity. Her rare double centerboard design provided enhanced maneuverability, making her suitable for the shallow and variable conditions of the Great Lakes’ coastal ports and lumber runs. She was typical of the era’s robust sailing freight vessels used to carry timber across the lakes.
History
On November 10, 1900, the Boaz was en route from Pierport, Michigan, to Racine, Wisconsin, carrying a cargo of elm lumber. Caught in a heavy storm, she began taking on water and her crew attempted to seek refuge in North Bay on the Door County Peninsula. However, due to poor visibility and high seas, the vessel struck a point near the bay and failed to make the entrance. The crew anchored the schooner to prevent her from beaching, but fearing she would capsize, they abandoned ship in the yawl and waited offshore through the night.
The next morning, the steamer Two Myrtles assisted in towing the vessel toward shore, grounding her near Marshall’s Pier. Salvage efforts were initiated but were ultimately unsuccessful. The Boaz was declared a total loss shortly thereafter.
Significant Incidents
- November 10, 1900: The Boaz is lost during a storm while en route from Pierport to Racine.
- Salvage efforts after grounding near Marshall’s Pier were unsuccessful.
Final Disposition
The vessel was not salvaged and sank in North Bay, where her remains settled in shallow water. The cargo and major components were unrecoverable, and the wreck was abandoned in place.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Located in North Bay, Door County, Wisconsin. The wreck has been known locally since shortly after the incident and was officially surveyed and documented as historically significant in the 21st century. No active navigational markers or hazards are currently noted for the site, but local dive operations and Wisconsin maritime registries recognize the wreck for historical preservation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”boaz-1869″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The Boaz represents a rare surviving example of a double centerboard schooner, a design once common on the Great Lakes but now largely forgotten. Her well-preserved state in 15 ft (4.6 m) of water and her inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places highlight both her historical value and accessibility for divers and researchers. The site provides a unique opportunity to study late 19th-century schooner construction and navigation practices.
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.
Identification & Site Information
- Name: Boaz
- Former Names: None
- Official Registry Number: Not specified
- Date Built & Launched: 1869
- Builder: Amos C. Stoakes, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
- Construction: Wooden, three-masted schooner with double centerboards
- Dimensions: Originally 82.8 ft (25.2 m) in length; rebuilt in 1874 to 114 ft (34.7 m), 22.3 ft (6.8 m) beam, 7.8 ft (2.4 m) depth
- Tonnage: 127.22 gross tons
- Date Lost: November 10, 1900
- Place of Loss: North Bay, Door County, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan
Vessel Type
Wooden three-masted schooner (double centerboard configuration)
Description
The Boaz was a lumber schooner built in 1869 and modified in 1874 to increase her cargo capacity. Her rare double centerboard design provided enhanced maneuverability, making her suitable for the shallow and variable conditions of the Great Lakes’ coastal ports and lumber runs. She was typical of the era’s robust sailing freight vessels used to carry timber across the lakes.
History
On November 10, 1900, the Boaz was en route from Pierport, Michigan, to Racine, Wisconsin, carrying a cargo of elm lumber. Caught in a heavy storm, she began taking on water and her crew attempted to seek refuge in North Bay on the Door County Peninsula. However, due to poor visibility and high seas, the vessel struck a point near the bay and failed to make the entrance. The crew anchored the schooner to prevent her from beaching, but fearing she would capsize, they abandoned ship in the yawl and waited offshore through the night.
The next morning, the steamer Two Myrtles assisted in towing the vessel toward shore, grounding her near Marshall’s Pier. Salvage efforts were initiated but were ultimately unsuccessful. The Boaz was declared a total loss shortly thereafter.
Final Disposition
The vessel was not salvaged and sank in North Bay, where her remains settled in shallow water. The cargo and major components were unrecoverable, and the wreck was abandoned in place.
Located By & Date Found
Located in North Bay, Door County, Wisconsin. The wreck has been known locally since shortly after the incident and was officially surveyed and documented as historically significant in the 21st century.
Notmars & Advisories
No active navigational markers or hazards are currently noted for the site, but local dive operations and Wisconsin maritime registries recognize the wreck for historical preservation.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The Boaz represents a rare surviving example of a double centerboard schooner, a design once common on the Great Lakes but now largely forgotten. Her well-preserved state in 15 ft (4.6 m) of water and her inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places highlight both her historical value and accessibility for divers and researchers. The site provides a unique opportunity to study late 19th-century schooner construction and navigation practices.
boaz-1869 1900-11-21 18:23:00