The Agnes Behrman was built in Detroit Harbor on Washington Island, Wisconsin, in 1883, by Captain C.O. Pederson. It was built to haul cordwood to market and return with freight for the inhabitants of Washington Island. Captain Pederson owned three vessels during his time on the island; all of these vessels were scow schooners specially constructed for trade in the small harbors of Door County. According to locals, the crew of the Agnes Behrman was musical, and would treat the townspeople to music before loading and departing.

On September 7, 1893, the Wisconsin Chair Company of Port Washington became a 50-percent owner of the Behrman to keep up with its own raw lumber demands. On June 29, 1897, the original enrollment document was surrendered at Milwaukee. The cause of the surrender was listed as: "Abandoned As Unfit For Service." In the summer of 1898, however, Captain Pederson resurrected the Agnes Behrman.
On October 30, 1898, while moored in Hedgehog Harbor, Door County, Wisconsin, the Agnes Behrman's anchor lost hold and began to drag. Before anything could be done, the Behrman struck bottom at the pier. The vessel's hull eventually broke apart, damaging the $200 in cargo and proving the ship to be a total loss. The Behrman was not insured.

The final enrollment document was surrendered at Milwaukee on December 1, 1898. The cause of surrender was listed as a total loss by stranding.
While the wreck has been reported by historical sources, the actual location and condition of the Agnes Behrman have not yet been confirmed by field investigation.