Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Gilbert Knapp
• Type: Three-masted wooden schooner
• Year Built: 1854
• Builder: Beckwith Shipyard, Racine, Wisconsin
• Dimensions: ~120 ft length × 26 ft beam × 9 ft depth; approximately 186 gross tons / 177 net tons
• Registered Tonnage: 186 gross tons / 177 net tons
• Location: Shalda Creek, near Sleeping Bear, Michigan
• Official Number: 10337
• Number of Masts: Three

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Gilbert Knapp was a three-masted wooden schooner, primarily used for transporting cargo such as firewood and tanbark across the Great Lakes.

Description

Built in 1854 at Beckwith Shipyard in Racine, Wisconsin, the Gilbert Knapp measured approximately 120 feet in length, 26 feet in beam, and 9 feet in depth. The vessel had a registered tonnage of approximately 186 gross tons and 177 net tons.

History

The Gilbert Knapp was likely involved in regional lumber and bark transport, operating primarily in the Lake Michigan area, including routes to Chicago and other northern cities.

Significant Incidents

• Circumstances: The vessel was anchored at Glen Arbor when it attempted to ride out a developing gale. During the storm, her anchors slipped.
• Outcome: The Gilbert Knapp was driven ashore on Shalda Creek, near Sleeping Bear, Michigan, where the hull broke up in heavy surf.
• Casualties: None — the crew survived the stranding.

Final Disposition

The Gilbert Knapp broke apart in the surf after being driven ashore. The crew managed to escape without injury, but the vessel was lost to the storm.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The current condition of the wreck is not documented, but it is confirmed that the vessel was lost and broken up on the shore.

Resources & Links

The loss of the Gilbert Knapp serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by mariners in the Great Lakes during severe weather conditions. Further research into the crew and the circumstances surrounding the wreck may provide additional insights into this maritime incident.