Sir William Wallace

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Sir William Wallace
• Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
• Year Built: 1836
• Builder: Henderson, New York (rebuilt in 1856, Goderich, Ontario)
• Dimensions: 84 × 17 × 7 ft (25.6 × 5.2 × 2.1 m); Beam; Depth of hold
• Registered Tonnage: 87 gross tons
• Location: Amsterdam, Wisconsin
• Official Number: Not officially numbered
• Number of Masts: Two

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

• Configuration: Traditional wooden schooner, two-mast rig
• Intended Use: Freight, likely wood and tie transport on Lake Michigan routes

Description

• Construction: Wooden hull typical of mid-19th-century schooners
• Dimensions & Tonnage: ~84 ft length, 17 ft beam, 7 ft draft—~87 gross tons
• Mast Configuration: Two spars, suitable for inshore freight hauling

History

• Built Year & Origin: 1836, Henderson, NY (rebuilt in 1856, Goderich, ON)
• Loss Date & Locale: March 16, 1861; Amsterdam, WI
• Cause: Stranded in icy gale—anchors failed
• Casualties: None lost; 1 crew member badly frostbitten
• Disposition: Declared total loss after abandonment

Significant Incidents

• March 16, 1861: The vessel was loading firewood at Amsterdam, Lake Michigan when a sudden Northeast winter gale struck.
• The crew was forced to clear the pier to avoid being crushed.
• The vessel dragged anchor and was stranded on the shore.
• The crew endured freezing conditions, with one member suffering severe frostbite.
• The vessel was ultimately destroyed by ice and wave action.

Final Disposition

• The Sir William Wallace was declared a total loss after being abandoned following the storm.
• The crew was rescued, but one member suffered severe frostbite due to exposure.

Current Condition & Accessibility

• The wreck site is likely near Amsterdam, Wisconsin, but specific conditions and accessibility details are not documented.
• Potential for remnant hull timbers exists, but no surveys have been confirmed.

Resources & Links

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The Sir William Wallace serves as a historical reminder of the challenges faced by 19th-century mariners on the Great Lakes. Its loss during a fierce storm highlights the dangers of navigating these waters, especially in winter conditions.