W. B. Phelps (1873)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: W. B. Phelps
• Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
• Year Built: 1873
• Builder:
• Dimensions:
• Registered Tonnage:
• Location: Near Glen Arbor, Michigan
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Vessel Type: Wooden two-masted schooner

Description

Description: The W. B. Phelps was a wooden schooner built in 1873. At the time of her loss, she was carrying a cargo of 17,000 bushels of wheat and 600 cases of beer.

History

History: The W. B. Phelps departed from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, bound for Oswego, New York. She encountered a violent November gale that ultimately led to her grounding near Glen Arbor, Michigan.

Significant Incidents

Significant Incidents:

• Departed Milwaukee laden with wheat and beer.
• Caught in a violent November gale, W. B. Phelps was driven onto a bar near Glen Arbor late on the 19th.
• The frigid conditions caused her sails and rigging to freeze, stranding the schooner on the shoal.
• Crew took refuge in the rigging as the hull began breaking apart in the icy waves.

Final Disposition

Final Disposition: The schooner broke up on the shoal; no record of vessel salvage exists. Remains were likely stripped by locals or wreckers before being completely destroyed by the elements.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Current Condition & Accessibility: The wreck of the W. B. Phelps is confirmed to have broken up and is considered abandoned. The exact condition of the wreck is unknown, but it is presumed to have been stripped and eroded over time.

Resources & Links

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Closing Summary: The W. B. Phelps serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by sailing vessels in the Great Lakes, particularly during late-season storms. Her loss highlights the significant threats posed by severe weather conditions in the 19th century.