Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Octavia
- Type: Wooden three-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1849
- Builder: Either James McLaughlin (Kalamazoo, MI) or Captain Stockton (Singapour, MI)
- Dimensions: Length 108.4 ft (33.0 m); Beam 24.1 ft; Depth of hold 6.88 ft
- Registered Tonnage: Approx. 136 gross tons
- Location: Off north pier, Kewaunee, Wisconsin
- Coordinates: Approximately 44°28.126′ N, 87°29.377′ W, off Kewaunee pier
- Official Number: 18911
- Original Owners: Art Carter & Frank Stockbridge, Kalamazoo/Chicago
- Number of Masts: 3
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type & Specifications
- Type: Wooden three-masted schooner
- Builder Name: James McLaughlin / Capt. Stockton
- Hull Material: Wood
- Rig: Schooner, 3 masts
- Dimensions:
- Length: 108.4 ft
- Beam: 24.1 ft
- Hold Depth: 6.88 ft
- Tonnage: Approx. 136 gross tons
Description
Description
The Octavia exemplifies mid-19th-century timber schooners that facilitated material movement from Michigan to Lake Michigan ports. Its grounding and abandonment off Kewaunee reflect common navigational hazards faced by these vessels, especially when relying on anchor in adverse wind conditions—a recurring factor in regional maritime accidents.
History
Service History
- Maintained service from 1849–1874 across Lake Michigan boarding small cargo such as timber and general freight.
- Known incidents:
- Aground near Grand River, MI (1855)
- Aground near Calumet (Jan 1856)
- Sank at St. Joseph, MI in 1858 (later raised)
- Valuation: $2,000 in earlier years; $3,000 in 1874, rated C1 insurance grade.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- Grounded due to calm winds and insufficient anchoring on its final voyage.
- Stripped and abandoned by 19 May 1874, deemed beyond salvage at 26 years old.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The vessel was stripped and abandoned shortly after grounding, with its remains likely not preserved and unguided for diving.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
Condition: Likely stripped remains; not preserved and unguided for diving. Archaeological Recognition: Listed in the Wisconsin Shipwrecks database; included in site maps.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”octavia-us-18911″ title=”References & Links”]
Summary
The Octavia serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by 19th-century vessels navigating the Great Lakes, particularly in adverse weather conditions. Its story contributes to the maritime heritage of the region.
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.
Identification & Vessel Information
- Name: Octavia
- Official Number: 18911
- Year Built: 1849
- Builder: Either James McLaughlin (Kalamazoo, MI) or Captain Stockton (Singapour, MI) (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Original Owners: Art Carter & Frank Stockbridge, Kalamazoo/Chicago (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Vessel Type & Specifications
- Type: Wooden three-masted schooner
- Builder Name: James McLaughlin / Capt. Stockton (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Hull Material: Wood
- Rig: Schooner, 3 masts (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Dimensions:
- Length: 108.4 ft
- Beam: 24.1 ft
- Hold Depth: 6.88 ft (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Tonnage: Approx. 136 gross tons
Service History
- CMaintained service from 1849–1874 across Lake Michigan boarding small cargo such as timber and general freight.
- Known incidents:
- Aground near Grand River, MI (1855)
- Aground near Calumet (Jan 1856)
- Sank at St. Joseph, MI in 1858 (later raised) (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Valuation: $2,000 in earlier years; $3,000 in 1874, rated C1 insurance grade (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Final Voyage & Wreck Details
- Date: 9 May 1874 (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Location: Off north pier, Kewaunee, Wisconsin (Lake Michigan) (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Cargo: 100 cords of wood loaded for Joseph Walender (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Incident:
- Wind died after departure, drifted toward stony shoal (~800 ft from shore).
- Late anchoring led to hard grounding, stern oriented toward shore, causing heavy hull listing (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Aftermath: The vessel was stripped and abandoned by 19 May 1874, deemed beyond salvage at 26 years old (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Wreck Site & Current Status
- Site Location: Approximately 44°28.126′ N, 87°29.377′ W, off Kewaunee pier (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
- Condition: Likely stripped remains; not preserved and unguided for diving
- Archaeological Recognition: Listed in the Wisconsin Shipwrecks database; included in site maps (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Summary Table
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Built | 1849, Kalamazoo or Singapour, MI |
| Type | Wooden three-masted schooner (136 GT) |
| Final Voyage | 9 May 1874, Kewaunee, WI |
| Cargo | 100 cords of wood |
| Cause of Loss | Grounded due to calm winds and insufficient anchoring |
| Casualties | None documented |
| Disposition | Stripped & abandoned; uncatalogued underwater remains |
Historical Significance
The Octavia exemplifies mid-19th-century timber schooners that facilitated material movement from Michigan to Lake Michigan ports. Its grounding and abandonment off Kewaunee reflect common navigational hazards faced by these vessels, especially when relying on anchor in adverse wind conditions—a recurring factor in regional maritime accidents.
Resources & Archives
- Wisconsin Shipwrecks — Vessel specifications, wreck location, service logs, local news reports (wisconsinshipwrecks.org, Wikipedia)
- Great Lakes Underwriters Marine Registers — Valuation and insurance class documentation
Recommended Further Research
- Kewaunee newspapers (May 1874): Local accounts likely detail the loss and community response.
- Port documentation: Records of salvage permits or abandonment declarations.
- Shore Surveys: A heritage dive or remote imaging survey may detect submerged structural remains.