Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: White Oak
- Type: wooden-hulled schooner
- Year Built: 1867
- Builder: Jackson & Elliott
- Dimensions: Length: 105 ft (32 m); Beam: 27 ft (8.2 m); Depth of hold: 7 ft (2.1 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 157 tons
- Location: 5 miles south of Sheboygan, Wisconsin, near the harbour entrance
- Official Number: 26914
- Original Owners: Registered out of Chicago
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The White Oak was a wooden-hulled schooner, typical of the vessels that dominated the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. Schooners like the White Oak were essential for transporting bulk commodities such as lumber, coal, grain, and in this case, railroad ties—a key material during the rapid expansion of the American railroad system.
Description
Built in 1867 by Jackson & Elliott of Saugatuck, Michigan (or possibly Allegan), the White Oak was designed to accommodate heavy cargo with her broad beam and shallow draft. The vessel’s 105-foot length and 157-gross ton capacity made her an effective hauler on Lake Michigan, capable of moving goods between smaller ports like Kewaunee and major urban centers such as Chicago.
The White Oak was registered out of Chicago, reflecting the city’s prominence as a maritime and commercial hub in the Great Lakes region during the late 19th century.
History
On October 19, 1885, the White Oak was en route from Kewaunee, Wisconsin, to Chicago with a cargo of railroad ties, essential materials for the ongoing expansion of rail lines across the Midwest.
As the schooner approached Sheboygan, Wisconsin, it encountered a severe storm on Lake Michigan. High winds and heavy waves drove the vessel ashore, approximately 5 miles south of the Sheboygan harbor entrance. The storm rendered the schooner uncontrollable, and despite the crew’s efforts, the vessel was beached and wrecked.
Significant Incidents
- The U.S. Life-Saving Service, a precursor to the modern U.S. Coast Guard, responded to the distress. All six crew members aboard the White Oak were rescued safely.
- The vessel was declared a total loss, but the cargo of railroad ties was salvaged.
- There were no fatalities associated with the wreck.
Final Disposition
The White Oak was declared a total loss after being driven ashore during the storm near Sheboygan, Wisconsin. No records indicate that the vessel was salvaged or rebuilt, and her remains likely deteriorated over time along the shoreline.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No specific navigational warnings related to the White Oak have been issued, but the area south of Sheboygan remains a region with shifting sandbars and sudden weather changes that can challenge even modern mariners.
Resources & Links
References are being reviewed for this wreck.
The wreck of the White Oak in 1885 reflects the constant risks faced by Great Lakes mariners, particularly in the unpredictable waters of Lake Michigan. The successful rescue of her crew by the U.S. Life-Saving Service underscores the progress being made in maritime safety during this era. The salvage of her cargo of railroad ties also highlights the continued importance of Great Lakes shipping to the industrial development of the Midwest.