Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Florence M. Dickinson
- Type: Wooden propeller vessel; later converted to a two-masted schooner-barge
- Year Built: 1855
- Builder: Luther Moses
- Dimensions: Length ~183′–4″ (approx. 55.9 m); Beam ~27′–4″ (8.3 m); Depth ~10′–6″ (3.2 m)
- Registered Tonnage: ~676 tons
- Location: Near Kewaunee, Wisconsin
- Official Number: 24109
- Original Owners: Robert Montgomery (original), Blanchard Navigation Co. (from 1885)
- Number of Masts: Two-masted schooner
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden propeller vessel; later converted to a two-masted schooner-barge.
Description
Description
The Florence M. Dickinson was originally launched as the T. U. Bradbury in 1855. It underwent significant modifications over its lifetime, including a conversion into a schooner-barge in 1876 and a rebuild in 1880, which updated its dimensions and tonnage.
History
History
Launched in 1855 as a propeller steamer, Bradbury had a long, eventful life. She transformed into a lucrative barge for heavy freight after being dismantled in 1876. After a rebuild in 1880, she served nearly seven years before sinking in November 1886, with tragic loss of life amid heavy weather.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- 17 November 1886: Caught in a fierce gale; broke from tow by the steamer Justice Field, grounded and wrecked; 3 of 7 aboard lost.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
Destroyed by grounding during a storm and declared a total wreck. Crew losses numbered three of seven. Official enrollment records were surrendered in December 1887.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
No specific wreck survey has been recorded. The approximate location off Kewaunee suggests deep-water remains requiring detailed sonar mapping or technical diving surveys.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”florence-m-dickinson-t-u-bradbury-us-24109″ title=”References & Links”]
Conclusion
T. U. BRADBURY / Florence M. Dickinson exemplifies a mid-19th-century Great Lakes vessel whose life cycle—from propeller steamer to converted schooner-barge—mirrors the evolving freight demands of the region. Her loss off Kewaunee on 17 November 1886 cost three lives and ended a 31-year operational history. The wreck site remains unidentified, suggesting opportunities for future research or survey.
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
- Name: T. U. BRADBURY (1855)
- Also Known As: Dickinson, Florence M. Dickinson (renamed in 1881) (static1.squarespace.com, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Official Number: 24109
- Type: Wooden propeller vessel; later converted to a two-masted schooner-barge
- Built: 1855 in Cleveland, Ohio by Luther Moses (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Propulsion: Sidewheel engine (oscillating, single cylinder), driven by a single propeller (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Hull: Wood; two decks
- Original Owner: Robert Montgomery (Buffalo, NY) (static1.squarespace.com)
Dimensions & Capacity (By 1865 Re-measurement)
- Length: ~183′‑4″ (approx. 55.9 m)
- Beam: ~27′‑4″ (8.3 m)
- Depth: ~10′‑6″ (3.2 m)
- Gross Tonnage: ~676 tons
- Cargo Capacity: ~6000 barrels (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, static1.squarespace.com, wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Conversion & Later Career
- 1876: Dismantled and converted into a schooner-barge (~676 gross tons) for bulk freight (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- 1880: Rebuilt by C. W. Wheeler (West Bay City) as a two-masted schooner, renamed Florence M. Dickinson, with updated stats: ~180.4′ long × 27.6′ beam × 10.2′ depth, ~390.9 gross tons
- Owners: Under Blanchard Navigation Co., Detroit (from 1885)
Final Voyage & Loss
- Date Lost: 17 November 1886
- Location: Near Kewaunee, Wisconsin (Lake Michigan)
- Incident: Caught in a fierce gale; broke from tow by the steamer Justice Field, grounded and wrecked • 3 of 7 aboard lost (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
History Summary
Launched in 1855 as a propeller steamer, Bradbury had a long, eventful life. She transformed into a lucrative barge for heavy freight after being dismantled in 1876. After a rebuild in 1880, she served nearly seven years before sinking in November 1886, with tragic loss of life amid heavy weather.
Final Disposition
Destroyed by grounding during a storm and declared a total wreck. Crew losses numbered three of seven. Official enrollment records were surrendered in December 1887 .
Located By & Date Found
No specific wreck survey has been recorded. The approximate location off Kewaunee suggests deep-water remains requiring detailed sonar mapping or technical diving surveys.
Notations & Advisories
- No current charts mark the wreck.
- Fragments may still lie near the grounding site but remain unverified by modern research.
Conclusion
T. U. BRADBURY / Florence M. Dickinson exemplifies a mid-19th-century Great Lakes vessel whose life cycle—from propeller steamer to converted schooner-barge—mirrors the evolving freight demands of the region. Her loss off Kewaunee on 17 November 1886 cost three lives and ended a 31-year operational history. The wreck site remains unidentified, suggesting opportunities for future research or survey.
Suggested Follow-Up
- Scan Kewaunee-area newspapers from November 1886 for eyewitness testimonies, specific grounding coordinates, or crew diaries.
- Check Wisconsin Maritime Museum archives and local underwriters’ logs for salvage or insurance details.
- Explore modern sonar surveys near Kewaunee harbor for unidentified wreckage consistent with the vessel’s size and location.