Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Foolkiller
- Type: experimental submersible or lifeboat
- Year Built: Mid- to late-19th century (speculative, pre-1880s)
- Builder: Unknown
- Dimensions: Length: ~40 ft (12.2 m); Beam: ~6 ft (1.8 m); Depth of hold: Unknown
- Registered Tonnage: Unknown
- Location: Chicago River, Illinois
- Coordinates: Unrecorded; near downtown Chicago riverfront
- Official Number: Unknown
- Original Owners: Unknown
- Number of Masts: None (submersible)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Foolkiller is categorized as an experimental submersible or lifeboat, with its exact original function remaining uncertain.
Description
The vessel was discovered completely buried in river mud, described as cigar-shaped and iron-clad, featuring rudimentary conning tower openings. It contained the skeletal remains of a man and a dog, suggesting it sank with occupants inside.
History
Discovered in 1915 by diver William “Frenchy” Deneau during a cleaning and salvage operation in the Chicago River, the Foolkiller sparked public intrigue. Initially thought to be a mysterious lost Civil War-era submarine, it was later theorized to be an experimental lifeboat or submersible escape craft.
Significant Incidents
- 1915: Discovery of the vessel by William “Frenchy” Deneau.
- 1916: The vessel was raised and exhibited at Riverview Park in Chicago.
- Shortly after the exhibit, the vessel vanished without records of sale or destruction.
Final Disposition
The current status of the Foolkiller is unknown, having disappeared after its exhibit in 1916. It is presumed to have been scrapped, sold privately, or destroyed.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The vessel’s condition remains unknown as it has not been located since its disappearance. If rediscovered, it would represent a rare example of midwestern 19th-century submersible technology.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”foolkiller-1915″ title=”References & Links”]
The Foolkiller remains a key unsolved mystery in Great Lakes and Chicago maritime history, representing experimental submersible technology and the tradition of private inventor subs.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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