Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: D. O. Dickinson
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1854
- Builder: not specified in sources
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: not specified in sources
- Location: Strawberry Shoal, near Chambers Island
- Coordinates: not specified in sources
- Official Number: not specified in sources
- Original Owners: not specified in sources
- Number of Masts: not specified in sources
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden schooner, primarily used for carrying lumber.
Description
The D. O. Dickinson was built in 1854, likely in Wisconsin or Michigan, and was typical of mid-19th century lumber schooners. She primarily transported timber from northern ports like Oconto to major Great Lakes markets, including Chicago. Her build and rigging would have matched other 60–100 ft two- or three-masted schooners of the era.
History
Built in 1854, the D. O. Dickinson was engaged in the lumber trade, transporting goods from Oconto, Wisconsin, to Chicago. The vessel’s design was characteristic of the period, reflecting the maritime needs of the lumber industry.
Significant Incidents
- Amid blinding storm conditions, D. O. Dickinson struck shoals and became stranded.
- The vessel remained stuck through the storm and was battered apart by waves over the next ten days.
- All crew survived; no fatalities reported. The captain is noted to have observed the ship’s demise from a hilltop vantage.
Final Disposition
The D. O. Dickinson ran aground on Strawberry Shoal, resulting in total loss due to structural failure and breakup over a ten-day period. No records indicate salvage of cargo or vessel components.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the D. O. Dickinson remains uncertain, as no salvage has been recorded and her remains may still lie submerged in the nearshore shoal waters.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”d-o-dickinson-1854″ title=”References & Links”]
The D. O. Dickinson illustrates typical mid-century Great Lakes lumber schooner operations, ultimately lost to shifting shoals under storm conditions. No lives were lost, but the ship was entirely destroyed on Strawberry Shoal. Archival research and a targeted survey could rediscover her remains, contributing to knowledge of lumber trade logistics and mid-19th century schooner construction.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →