Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Bohemian
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder: Fitzhugh & Littlejohn, Oswego, NY
- Dimensions: Length: 137 ft (41.75 m); Beam: 26 ft (7.92 m); Depth of hold: 11 ft (3.35 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 372.54 tons
- Location: Port Washington, WI
- Coordinates: N 43° 22.814' / W 087° 52.076'
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type: Wooden schooner
Description
The Bohemian was a two-masted wooden schooner built in 1856, measuring 137 feet in length and 26 feet in beam. She was designed for heavy freight transport, particularly industrial cargo.
History
Launched in June 1856, the Bohemian had a brief service life of only four months, during which she was involved in the burgeoning industrial shipping scene of the Great Lakes, primarily carrying high-value cargo for P.W. Gates & Co.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Loss: October 22, 1856
- Route: Oswego, NY to Chicago, IL
- Grounded near Port Washington, WI, and broke apart in heavy surf; all crew members were rescued.
Final Disposition
The Bohemian was declared a total loss after breaking apart in heavy surf. Portions of her cargo were recovered during dredging in 1930, but the hull and primary wreck site remain undiscovered.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site of the Bohemian has not been located. No modern dive records or sonar imaging have confirmed its position, and it is likely buried in shifting sand south of the historic Port Washington pier.
Resources & Links
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The Bohemian serves as a significant example of mid-19th-century Great Lakes shipping, illustrating the risks of navigation during the fall season. The undiscovered wreck site presents an opportunity for future archaeological exploration.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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