Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: DAN SICKLES
- Type: Wooden, single-deck scow schooner
- Year Built: 1864
- Builder: J. M. Jones
- Dimensions: 78 ft L × 19 ft B × 5 ft D
- Registered Tonnage: 68 GRT
- Location: Approximately 2 miles north of Sturgeon Bay Canal’s eastern entrance
- Official Number: 35180
- Original Owners: Charles Freeman, F. Grange and associates
- Number of Masts: Two-mast
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden, single-deck scow schooner, fore-and-aft rigged with two masts.
Description
Description
The DAN SICKLES was a wooden scow schooner built in 1864. It measured 78 feet in length, 19 feet in beam, and had a depth of 5 feet. The vessel had a gross tonnage of 68 GRT.
History
History
The DAN SICKLES was rebuilt in 1866 at Elba Island, MI. In 1867, it lost its fore topmast during heavy weather and was sunk in November after striking the wreck of the MARY STEWART. The vessel was subsequently raised and repaired. Ownership changed hands several times, with Charles Freeman of Milwaukee owning it in 1871 and F. Grange and associates in 1876.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- 1866: Rebuilt at Elba Island, MI.
- 1867: Lost fore topmast during heavy weather; sunk after striking wreck of MARY STEWART, then raised and repaired.
- 1878: Capsized in a squall near Sturgeon Bay, resulting in its final wreck.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
On May 4, 1878, while bound from Washington Island to Milwaukee carrying cordwood, the DAN SICKLES encountered a sudden squall off Sturgeon Bay entrance in Lake Michigan and capsized. It was washed ashore approximately 2 miles north of Sturgeon Bay Canal’s eastern entrance and was declared a total wreck. No fatalities were recorded.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is not documented, but it is presumed to have been dismantled or left on shore after being declared a total wreck.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”dan-sickles-us-35180″ title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion
The DAN SICKLES illustrates the repeated risks faced by small cargo schooners in the dynamic Great Lakes environment, reflected through its rebuild after sinking and its eventual demise in a squall near Sturgeon Bay on May 4, 1878. Further archival work, particularly in newspapers and harbor records, could enrich details about the crew, salvage efforts, and vessel’s final disposition.
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.
(Scow Schooner, 1864–1878)
Identification & Construction
- Name: DAN SICKLES
- Official Number: 35180
- Built: 1864, Detroit, MI — by J. M. Jones
- Type: Wooden, single‑deck scow schooner, fore-and-aft rigged (two-mast)
- Dimensions: 78 ft L × 19 ft B × 5 ft D
- Gross Tonnage: 68 GRT
Ownership & Service History
- 1866: Rebuilt at Elba Island, MI
- 1867:
- Lost fore topmast during heavy weather
- November: Sunk at Pentwater after striking wreck of MARY STEWART; subsequently raised and repaired
- 1871: Owned by Charles Freeman, Milwaukee, WI
- 1876: Owned by F. Grange and associates, Milwaukee
Final Wreck – May 4, 1878
- Voyage: Bound from Washington Island (Wisconsin) to Milwaukee, carrying cordwood
- Incident: Encountered sudden squall off Sturgeon Bay entrance in Lake Michigan; capsized mid-lake
- Aftermath: Washed ashore approximately 2 miles north of Sturgeon Bay Canal’s eastern entrance; declared a total wreck
- Casualties: Unspecified; no recorded fatalities in source archives
Archival Sources & Citations
- Profile derived from Great Lakes Shipwreck Files including official descriptions of final wreck location, cargo, and weather-related capsizing event
- Incident details collated from mid-19th-century regional shipping insurance records and scow-specific vessel registries
Research Opportunities & Next Steps
| Area | Details |
|---|---|
| Newspaper Reports (May 1878) | Check Sturgeon Bay Advocate, Milwaukee Sentinel, and Green Bay Gazette for eyewitness testimony, crew fate, and insurance claims |
| Enrollment Records (NARA) | Retrieve vessel’s enrollment and rebuild documentation |
| Harbor Logs | Examine Sturgeon Bay harbor master logs for salvage or damage assessments |
| Salvage & Insurance Files | Locate underwriters’ reports related to total-loss valuation and wreck clearance |
Summary Table
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | 1864, Detroit, MI by J. M. Jones |
| Specs | 78′ × 19′ × 5′; 68 GRT; scow-schooner |
| Notable Incidents | Rebuilt 1866; sunk 1867; raised & repaired |
| Final Incident | Capsized May 4, 1878 near Sturgeon Bay; cargo cordwood |
| Casualties | None reported |
| Disposition | Declared wrecked on shore; likely dismantled or left |
Conclusion
The DAN SICKLES illustrates the repeated risks faced by small cargo schooners in the dynamic Great Lakes environment—reflected through its rebuild after sinking, and its eventual demise in a squall near Sturgeon Bay on May 4, 1878. Her final fate underscores persistent hazards of cordwood trade and sudden weather systems in the bay area. Further archival work, particularly in newspapers and harbor records, could enrich details about the crew, salvage efforts, and vessel’s final disposition.
dan-sickles-us-35180 1878-05-04 23:54:00