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.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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