Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: D.A. Van Valkenburgh
- Type: Wooden bark (three-masted sailing vessel)
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder: Albert Little
- Dimensions: 167 ft (50.9 m) length × 34 ft beam × 12 ft depth
- Registered Tonnage: 539 GRT
- Location: Approximately three miles south of Jacksonport, Door County, WI
- Official Number: 6318
- Original Owners: Winslow, Buffalo, NY; Wells & Co., Milwaukee; Hood & MacMillan, Chicago, IL
- Number of Masts: Three
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The D.A. Van Valkenburgh was a wooden bark, characterized as a three-masted sailing vessel, built in 1866 in Tonawanda, New York by Albert Little.
Description
With dimensions of 167 feet in length, 34 feet in beam, and a depth of 12 feet, the vessel had a gross registered tonnage of 539. It was primarily used for transporting cargo across the Great Lakes.
History
The operational history of the D.A. Van Valkenburgh includes ownership changes and notable incidents. In 1871, it was owned by Winslow of Buffalo, NY. The vessel ran ashore at Pigeon Bay in 1872 and was repaired at Detroit Dry Dock. In 1874, it collided with the schooner ACTIVE on Lake Michigan. By 1876, it was owned by Wells & Co. of Milwaukee, and in 1881, ownership transferred to Hood & MacMillan of Chicago, IL.
Significant Incidents
- September 15, 1881: The vessel was en route from Chicago to Buffalo carrying 30,000 bushels of corn when it struck a reef during gale-force weather, approximately three miles south of Jacksonport, Door County, WI. The captain misjudged the vessel’s position due to a faulty compass.
- Casualties: Of the nine crew members, eight perished, with only one survivor, Thomas Breen, who managed to escape despite his yawl capsizing twice.
Final Disposition
The D.A. Van Valkenburgh was declared a total loss after being driven onto rocks and battered until disintegrated. The last enrollment was officially surrendered in Chicago on December 30, 1881.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the D.A. Van Valkenburgh has largely disintegrated, with salvage operations recovering significant amounts of cargo and gear shortly after the incident. The corn cargo washed ashore across miles of coastline, and by the next day, the hull was entirely broken up.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”d-a-van-valkenburgh-us-6318″ title=”References & Links”]
The D.A. Van Valkenburgh serves as a reminder of the navigational hazards faced by vessels in Lake Michigan during the late 19th century, highlighting the impact of storm conditions and compass errors. The loss of eight lives and the subsequent salvage efforts underscore the human and economic toll of maritime disasters.
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.
Vessel Identification & Build Records
- Name: D. A. VAN VALKENBURGH
- Official Number: 6318
- Built: 1866, Tonawanda, NY — by Albert Little
- Type: Wooden bark (three-masted sailing vessel)
- Dimensions: 167 ft length × 34 ft beam × 12 ft depth
- Gross Tonnage: 539 GRT
Ownership & Operational Timeline
- 1871: Owned by Winslow, Buffalo, NY
- 1872: Ran ashore at Pigeon Bay; repaired at Detroit Dry Dock
- 1874: Collided with schooner ACTIVE on Lake Michigan
- 1876: Owned by Wells & Co., Milwaukee
- 1881: Ownership transferred to Hood & MacMillan, Chicago, IL
Wreck Event — September 15, 1881
- Voyage: En route from Chicago to Buffalo carrying 30,000 bushels of corn shipped by J.T. Armour
- Incident: During gale-force weather, vessel struck a reef (“rocks”) approximately three miles south of Jacksonport, Door County, WI, in Whitefish Bay—Captain Keith reportedly misjudged the vessel as near Manitou Island due to a faulty compass (wrecksite.eu, wmhs.org, wrecksite.eu, Shotline Diving, Michigan Sportsman, Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- Outcome: Driven onto rocks, battered until disintegrated; declared a total loss, last enrollment officially surrendered in Chicago on December 30, 1881 (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- Casualties: Of the nine crew members, eight perished—only one seaman, Thomas Breen, survived despite his yawl capsizing twice during escape (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Wreck Dynamics & Aftermath
- The bark tore apart rapidly; corn cargo washed ashore across miles of coastline
- Salvage operations recovered anchors, chains, and significant amounts of cargo—up to 30 wagons of corn in one day (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
- By the literal next day, the hull was entirely broken up—only gear floated off-shore for further recovery (Wisconsin Shipwrecks)
Archival Documentation & References
- Wreck documented on Wrecksite and Wisconsin Shipwrecks records with cargo, crew, and cause details (wrecksite.eu)
- Survivor and casualty details confirmed via Find-à-Grave virtual cemetery and crew listing (Find a Grave)
Research Opportunities
- Newspaper archives (Sept–Oct 1881): Chicago Tribune, Milwaukee Sentinel, and Sturgeon Bay Advocate likely contain marine board inquiry extracts, survivor statements, and rescue narratives.
- Enrollment records (NARA Region 5): May confirm captain’s name, compass calibration logs, and official loss filing.
- Underwriters’ archives: Freight and hull insurance documents may detail ship valuation, salvage compensation, and cause assessments.
- Maritime museum collections: Door County Maritime Museum or Whitefish Point archives may own artifacts or oral histories from the wreck site.
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Built / Type | 1866, Tonawanda, NY; three-masted bark; 167 × 34 × 12 ft, 539 GRT |
| Final Voyage | Chicago → Buffalo; carrying 30,000 bushels corn |
| Wreck Date | September 15, 1881 – struck rocks south of Jacksonport, WI |
| Casualties | 8 of 9 crew drowned; single survivor |
| Salvage | Cargo and gear largely recovered; anchors/chains salvaged |
| Enrollment Closed | December 30, 1881 – Chicago |
Conclusion
The D. A. VAN VALKENBURGH provides a stark example of navigational hazards in Lake Michigan during the late 19th century—compounded by compass errors, storm force winds, and proximity to Whitefish Bay’s treacherous shallows. The profound human toll (eight lost lives) and dramatic cargo wash-up prompted significant local salvage efforts and likely regulatory review. Further narrative details await through newspaper and archival enrollment investigation.
d-a-van-valkenburgh-us-6318 1881-09-15 22:23:00