Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: ELLA DOAK
• Type: Scow Schooner
• Year Built: 1868
• Builder: James Corlette
• Dimensions: Length: 85 ft (25.9 m); Beam: 21 ft (6.4 m); Depth of hold: 5 ft (1.5 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 75.04 tons
• Depth at Wreck Site: 1.5 m / 5 ft
• Location: Albey’s Bay, Hedgehog Harbor, Wisconsin
• Official Number: 8205
• Original Owners: J. Doak
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The ELLA DOAK was a two-masted scow schooner, typical of the rugged, shallow-draft vessels used on the Great Lakes for nearshore and short-haul cargo. Scow schooners were designed with wide, flat bottoms that made them easy to beach and unload in small harbours, serving lumber, stone, and general freight trades throughout the region.

Description

Built in 1868 by James Corlette at Pentwater, Michigan, the ELLA DOAK began service under the ownership of J. Doak of Pentwater. Throughout her working life, she was employed in hauling a wide range of bulk cargoes.

History

The ELLA DOAK had a busy and sometimes troubled career. In October 1871, she lost her sails on Lake Michigan. That same year, and into the winter of 1872, she carried relief supplies to Wisconsin communities devastated by fire. Later in 1872, she stranded on a bar at Port Washington while loaded with bricks, grounded again at Ahnapee (now Algoma), and then beached at Kewaunee with a cargo of bark, ties, and lumber.

In December 1873, the schooner jumped a sandbar at the Wolf River entrance to Ahnapee. In April 1874, she was damaged in a collision with the scow MOONLIGHT at Milwaukee, and in November of that year became waterlogged on Lake Michigan.

Her final stranding took place on 14 August 1875 in Albey’s Bay, Hedgehog Harbor, Wisconsin, while carrying rip rap stone. Sources differ about her ultimate fate; some accounts say she was recovered but later abandoned, while others report that she broke up on the shore after grounding.

Significant Incidents

• October 1871: Lost sails on Lake Michigan.
• Winter 1872: Carried relief supplies to Wisconsin communities affected by fire.
• 1872: Stranded on a bar at Port Washington while loaded with bricks.
• 1872: Grounded at Ahnapee (now Algoma).
• 1872: Beached at Kewaunee with a cargo of bark, ties, and lumber.
• December 1873: Jumped a sandbar at the Wolf River entrance to Ahnapee.
• April 1874: Damaged in a collision with the scow MOONLIGHT at Milwaukee.
• November 1874: Became waterlogged on Lake Michigan.
• 14 August 1875: Final stranding in Albey’s Bay, Hedgehog Harbor, Wisconsin.

Final Disposition

• Final Location: Albey’s Bay, Hedgehog Harbor, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan
• Date Lost: 14 August 1875
• How: Grounded; wreck may have been recovered and later abandoned, or broke up on shore
• Final Cargo: Rip rap stone

Current Condition & Accessibility

No confirmed remains are known today.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”ella-doak-us-8205″ title=”References & Links”]

The ELLA DOAK represents the rugged and utilitarian scow schooners that powered regional trade around the Great Lakes in the mid-to-late 19th century. Her series of mishaps demonstrates the challenges faced by smaller working vessels in the often-unpredictable Great Lakes environment.