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.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Official Number: not specified in sources
- Built: 1854 (registry suggests sailing origin)
- Vessel Type: Wooden schooner, carrying lumber
- Final Voyage: Bound from Oconto, Wisconsin, to Chicago
- Incident Date & Location: October 8, 1869—ran aground on Strawberry Shoal in Green Bay, near Chambers Island, Lake Michigan (part of “Strawberry Shoal” area) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Library Digital Resources)
- Cargo: Lumber
- Crew: None lost; skipper watched from nearby shore as she broke apart over subsequent ten days (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Incident Details
- 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 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
History & Vessel Description
- Built in 1854, likely in Wisconsin or Michigan, typical of mid‑19th century lumber schooners.
- Primarily carried 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.
Final Disposition
- Stranding: Hard aground on a known shoal (Strawberry Shoal)
- Total loss: Structural failure and breakup over ten-day period
- No salvage: No records show salvage of cargo or vessel components.
Research Gaps & Recommended Next Steps
| Area | Action |
|---|---|
| Registry Data | Check U.S. Enrollment Ledgers for 1854 entry—owner, dimensions, official number |
| Newspapers | Review Appleton Post-Crescent, Green Bay Gazette, Chicago papers (Oct–Nov 1869) for incident reports |
| Lumber Shipments | Investigate manifests from Oconto port—quantity and quality of lumber |
| Wreck Survey | Conduct geophysical survey (side-scan sonar/magnetometer) near Strawberry Shoal to locate remains |
| Lifesaving Records | Check any existence of lifesaving assistance—likely observational rescue not documented |
| Salvage Claims | Review marine insurance records in Chicago for possible claims or reimbursement logs |
Conclusion
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. With no salvage recorded, her remnants may still lie submerged in nearshore shoal waters. Archival research and a targeted survey could rediscover her remains, contributing to knowledge of lumber trade logistics and mid‑19th century schooner construction.
d-o-dickinson-1854 1869-10-08 11:06:00