Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Forest King
- Type: Wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1866
- Builder:
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Wrecked ashore on a reef near DePere, Wisconsin
- Original Owners: Charles Lawton
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Forest King was a wooden schooner, likely classified as a mid-sized freighter, primarily engaged in the lumber trade.
Description
The Forest King was wrecked on October 21, 1869, during a fierce gale, driven ashore on a rock only 30 feet across. The crew clung to the battered remains for 20 hours until rescued, with all ten crew members surviving the ordeal. Although the hull remained partially above water, a sudden shift caused her to break on the reef and burn, resulting in a total loss valued at approximately $6,000.
History
Owned at the time of loss by Charles Lawton of DePere, Wisconsin, the Forest King operated in the lumber trade, carrying cargo through late-season storms. Specific construction details, including dimensions and tonnage, are likely found in 1866 U.S. enrollment records.
Significant Incidents
- Wrecked on a reef during a gale on October 21, 1869.
- All ten crew members survived the wreck.
- The vessel burned after breaking on the reef, leading to a total loss.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Forest King is believed to be located on a reef or shoal near Waugoshance or similar outcrops in Lake Huron. The site condition includes charred hull remains, with mere fragments left of the original structure.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Charred remains of the hull are present, with fasteners, planking remnants, and hardware potentially surviving underwater. Historical mapping and remote surveys are recommended for further exploration.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”forest-king-1866″ title=”References & Links”]
The Forest King represents a significant chapter in Great Lakes maritime history, being among the last generation of wooden-lumber schooners. The dramatic circumstances of her wreck and the survival of her crew provide unique narrative elements for maritime archaeology.
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: Forest King
- Built: 1866 (specific yard not identified)
- Type: Wooden schooner (likely mid-sized freighter)
- Loss Date: October 21, 1869
- Location: Wrecked ashore on a reef or shoal (likely in Lake Huron near DePere, Wisconsin)
- Cargo: Lumber
- Crew Casualties: All 10 crew members survived
Final Voyage & Sinking Circumstances
- While operating during a fierce gale on October 21, 1869, the Forest King was driven ashore on a rock only 30 ft across.
- The crew clung to the battered remains for 20 hours until rescued. All ten aboard survived.
- Though the hull remained partially above water, a sudden shift (reported October 15 in related events) caused her to break on the reef and burn to a total loss, valued at approximately $6,000—all fixtures and rigging included (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Archives West, JC National Archives, Wikipedia).
Vessel History & Construction
- Owned at the time of loss by Charles Lawton, of De Pere, Wisconsin (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
- Operated in the lumber trade, carrying cargo through late-season storms.
Archival & Research Gaps
- Construction Details: Specific dimensions, tonnage, and builder—likely found in 1866 U.S. enrollment records.
- Tow or Route Notes: Whether under tow or sailing independently; route logs may clarify.
- Crew & Command: Names and roles of the ten crew members; must be retrieved through enrollment or customs records.
- Incident Documentation: Lighthouse station logs or Marine Court inquiry transcripts may contain rescue details.
- Newspaper Coverage: Periodicals in De Pere, Green Bay, and Milwaukee from October–November 1869 may report the event more fully.
Wreck & Archaeological Opportunity
- Location Likely: On a reef or shoal near Waugoshance or similar outcrops in Lake Huron.
- Site Condition: Charred hull remains—mere fragments left of the original structure; fasteners, planking remnants, and hardware may survive underwater.
- Field Strategy:
- Historical mapping: Analyze 1869 charts for reefs known near De Pere transit lanes.
- Remote survey: Deploy side-scan sonar and magnetometer sweep around likely reef sites.
- Dive reconnaissance: Aim to identify timber and artifact scatter.
Historical Significance
- The Forest King was among the last generation of wooden-lumber schooners operating into the late 1860s. Her dramatic wreck on a narrow reef, with harrowing crew survival, offers unique narrative elements of Great Lakes maritime history.
- The charred wreckage underscores how wooden vessels of that era, once structurally compromised, were further destroyed by fire—potentially from spilled lamp fuel or sparking metal reacting with wood.
Recommended Next Steps
- Archive Retrieval: Sourcing enrollment logs, customs manifests, and Marine Court or lighthouse station logs from 1869.
- Newspaper Research: Examining De Pere, Green Bay, and Milwaukee papers for detailed incident reports.
- Field Survey Planning: Collaborating with maritime archaeologists to deploy remote sensors and conduct site visits.