Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Frankie Wilcox
- Type: Wood-hulled scow-schooner
- Year Built: 1865
- Builder: Hayes in Fairport, Ohio
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: approximately 230 tons
- Location: Around 3.5 miles north of Manistee, Michigan
- Official Number: 9204
- Number of Masts: Three-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Frankie Wilcox is classified as a wood-hulled scow-schooner, a vessel type notable for its unique design and functionality in timber transportation on the Great Lakes.
Description
Originally built as a scow-brig, the Frankie Wilcox was one of the few vessels of its kind on the Great Lakes. It was designed to carry heavy loads, particularly lumber, and was equipped with three masts.
History
The vessel was rebuilt in 1873 after prior service and was capable of carrying substantial cargo, including 85,000 board feet of lumber, shingles, and cedar posts on its final voyage. This load was significant for a vessel of its configuration.
Significant Incidents
- After loading lumber at Frankfort, MI on October 17, the Frankie Wilcox departed under tow by the tug Williams, bound for Manistee.
- During her approach in rising winds, she became unmanageable, broke free of towing lines, and drifted ashore.
- She was pounded to pieces on the shoreline—reported ashore and “a total wreck by the 4th.”
- All but one crew member were rescued; a group of lifesavers led by Captain Gnewuch of Manistee conducted the rescue and was later awarded a gold medal for heroism.
Final Disposition
The wreck of the Frankie Wilcox is located on the shoreline approximately 3.5 miles north of Manistee, Michigan. The vessel was reported to have been completely destroyed by the waves, with remains likely scattered along the beach.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck site is expected to contain heavily broken hull pieces, fasteners, and remnants of cargo, mostly dispersed by wave action. A survey proposal includes shoreline surveys using metal detection and mapping debris scatter, as well as side-scan sonar and magnetometer surveys in nearshore waters.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”frankie-wilcox-us-9204″ title=”References & Links”]
The Frankie Wilcox serves as a significant historical and cultural artifact, exemplifying the timber-hauling vessels of the late 19th century and highlighting the dangers of Great Lakes navigation.
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: Frankie Wilcox
- Official No.: 9204
- Built: 1865 by Hayes in Fairport, Ohio, originally as a scow‑brig—one of the few on the Great Lakes
- Type & Tonnage: Wood‑hulled scow‑schooner, approximately 230 tons
- Final Date: October 19, 1879
- Location: Around 3.5 miles north of Manistee, Michigan, on Lake Michigan
Voyage & Loss Incident
- After loading lumber at Frankfort, MI on October 17, the Frankie Wilcox departed under tow by the tug Williams, bound for Manistee.
- During her approach in rising winds, she became unmanageable, broke free of towing lines, and drifted ashore.
- She was pounded to pieces on the shoreline—reported ashore and “a total wreck by the 4th.”
- All but one crew member were rescued; a group of lifesavers led by Captain Gnewuch of Manistee conducted the rescue and was later awarded a gold medal for heroism, as they had saved 28 sailors between 1874–1880 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Vessel History & Performance
- Rebuilt in 1873 after prior service
- Carried 85,000 board feet of lumber, shingles, and cedar posts on her final voyage (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files), a substantial load for her scow‑brig configuration
- As one of the earliest three‑masted schooners (built as scow‑brig), she was a notable vessel type on the lakes
Archival & Research Gaps
- Crew Manifest: Names and details of the rescued crew member and the one lost
- Tug Williams Logs: Tow records and reports on mechanical or weather issues
- Weather Data: Great Lakes wind and wave logs for mid‑October 1879
- Newspaper Coverage: 1879 Frankfort and Manistee newspapers likely cover wreck details and rescue efforts
- Salvage Records: Logs of cargo recovery or vessel assessment after Grounding
Wreck & Site Potential
- Wreck Site: Beach or shallow shoreline ~3.5 mi north of Manistee
- Remains: Likely heavily broken hull pieces, fasteners, and remnants of cargo; mostly dispersed by wave action
- Survey Proposal:
- Shoreline survey using metal detection and mapping debris scatter
- Side-scan sonar/magnetometer in nearshore waters to locate iron fittings or hull fragments
- Local collaboration with Manistee area historical societies and diving clubs for site verification
Historical & Cultural Significance
- The Frankie Wilcox exemplifies small timber-hauling vessels of the late 19th century—built robust yet vulnerable in autumn storms
- The dramatic rescue by Captain Gnewuch and his team underscores local heroism and the perils of Great Lakes navigation
- As a distinct scow‑brig design, her wreck provides archaeological insight into an uncommon vessel type on the lakes
Recommended Research & Follow-Up
- Locate and request tug Williams logs from Great Lakes registries
- Search newspaper archives for Frankfort and Manistee around October 1879 for detailed accounts
- Access U.S. Life-Saving Service records regarding Captain Gnewuch’s medal and rescue operation
- Plan a preliminary reconnaissance survey with local maritime archaeologists to investigate nearshore wreck remnants