Frank D. Barker (1867)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Frank D. Barker
• Type: Wooden canaller schooner (two-masted)
• Year Built: 1867
• Builder: Simon G. Johnson, Clayton, New York
• Dimensions: 137 ft (41.8 m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: Not recorded (approx. 350–400 tons est.)
• Depth at Wreck Site: 7.3 m / 24 ft
• Location: Barker Shoal, near Spider Island, Door County, Lake Michigan
• Coordinates: Withheld pending archaeological survey
• Official Number: Unknown
• Original Owners: Operated in grain and coal trades on Lakes Michigan–Ontario
• Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Frank D. Barker was a classic wooden canaller, designed to fit the locks of the second-generation Welland Canal. Its boxy hull maximized cargo capacity while pivoting features such as its jibboom, davits, and catheads allowed clearance in confined waterways. It typically carried grain eastbound from Milwaukee and Chicago to Lake Ontario and coal westbound from Lake Erie ports.

Description

The wreck of the Frank D. Barker lies flattened between the arms of Barker Shoal in ~24 ft of water. Despite repeated 19th-century salvage attempts, the hull remains largely intact beneath the lakebed, preserved by Lake Michigan’s cold freshwater.

History

• 1867: Built at Clayton, New York by Simon G. Johnson, entering the grain and coal trade.
• Trade Service: Operated widely on the Great Lakes for two decades, serving as a vital freight carrier.
• 1887: Bound for Escanaba, Michigan to take on iron ore, the vessel encountered heavy fog and ran onto limestone outcroppings near Spider Island (Door County, WI).
• Aftermath: The crew abandoned ship and were stranded on Spider Island until rescued. Salvage attempts by tug Spalding in 1887 and repeated missions in 1888 failed. Vessel was declared a total loss, valued at $8,000 (~$250,000 today).

Significant Incidents

• 1887: The Frank D. Barker ran aground in fog, leading to its loss.
• 1887-1888: Multiple salvage attempts were made but were unsuccessful.

Final Disposition

The wreck of the Frank D. Barker lies flattened between the arms of Barker Shoal in ~24 ft of water. Despite repeated 19th-century salvage attempts, the hull remains largely intact beneath the lakebed, preserved by Lake Michigan’s cold freshwater.

Current Condition & Accessibility

• Condition: Flattened but remarkably intact beneath cold freshwater; hull, framing, and fittings identifiable.
• Depth: 24 ft (7 m) — accessible to recreational divers.
• Accessibility: Site near Barker Shoal; dive possible by small boat from Rowleys Bay or Gill’s Rock. Visibility variable.
• Hazards: Strong surface chop and shallow shoals; boat operators should exercise caution.

Resources & Links

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The rediscovery of the Frank D. Barker closes a 136-year mystery. As one of the few intact wooden canallers identified in Lake Michigan, it represents a rare surviving example of the specialized vessels that connected the Great Lakes grain and coal trades to the Welland Canal system. Its shallow-water location makes it accessible for both divers and researchers, while protections ensure it will be preserved as part of Wisconsin’s underwater heritage.