Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: J.A. Travis
- Type: Wooden schooner (lumber and cargo carrier)
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: Arnold Shipyard, Pentwater, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length: 106 ft (32.3 m); Beam: 20 ft (6.1 m); Depth of hold: 6 ft (1.8 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 101 GT
- Location: Off Cana Island, at the mouth of Green Bay, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 13862
- Original Owners: Captain Albert Bake of Milwaukee
- Number of Masts: Three-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The J.A. Travis was a three-masted wooden schooner, primarily designed for lumber transport but also capable of carrying various bulk cargo.
Description
The J.A. Travis was built in 1867 at Pentwater, Michigan, by Arnold Shipyard. She had a history of mishaps, including capsizing in 1868, which required extensive repairs. The vessel was rebuilt in 1874 and underwent major repairs in 1884, indicating a long and hard-working career.
History
The J.A. Travis was owned and operated by Captain Albert Bake of Milwaukee and sailed on Lake Michigan’s cargo trade routes. At the time of her sinking, she was carrying a load of lumber and marble.
Significant Incidents
- Capsized on Lake Michigan in 1868, requiring extensive repairs.
Final Disposition
The J.A. Travis was declared a total loss due to storm damage and foundering. No known salvage efforts have been made, and the wreck remains likely scattered off Cana Island, Wisconsin, in Green Bay.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No confirmed modern discovery of the wreck has been reported. Potential remains may exist near Cana Island, Wisconsin.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”j-a-travis-us-13862″ title=”References & Links”]
The J.A. Travis was a hardworking cargo schooner lost in a violent storm off Cana Island in 1893. Thanks to the efforts of the U.S. Lifesaving Service, her crew survived, but the vessel was lost and remains undiscovered, serving as a reminder of the risks faced by Great Lakes mariners in the age of sail.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →