RACINE Other names: none Official no.: 21708 Type at loss: scow or scow-schooner, wood Build info: 1867, Tonawanda, NY Specs: 195x30x12, 534g 508n Date of loss: 1893, Aug 19 Place of loss: near the harbor entrance at Two Rivers, WI Lake: Michigan Type of loss: (storm) Loss of life: ? Carrying: stone Detail: Sank, no detail. Out of Port Huron Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI ______________________________ Marine casualties of 1871 Mar - The schooners M. Williams, Live Yankee, W. Fiske, RACINE, Hyphen, Florette, Swallow, T. J. Bronson, Leader, Reindeer, Invincible, D. Morris, and barges Genesee Chief and Russell, all had sails and outfit burned at the fire of Hoffner and Mayes sail-loft, Detroit. Sept - Bark Racine arrives at Chicago damaged in same gale. ***** Marine Casualties of 1873 Jun 1873 - Schooner Racine had a hole stove in her side by getting foul of an abutment at Chicago. Oct 1873 - Bark Racine, dismasted by collision on St. Clair River. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, 9 Dec, 1873 ______________________________ CAPT. WM. R. WILLIAMS, of the schooner "JOSEPH PAGE," was born in Carnorvonshire, North Wales, March 12, 1835; came to the United States in 1845, with his parents; spent nearly a year in Cincinnati; the family then moved to Wisconsin, locating in Waukesha County. After one year they returned to Cincinnati. A year and a half later they returned to Wisconsin. Mr. Williams was first employed on the old steamer "TRAVELER," plying between Chicago, Milwaukee and Sheboygan in 1851; in 1852 sailed before the mast on the little schooner of the same name ("TRAVELER") in the lumber trade, being mate of the schooners "REPUBLIC," "FALCON," and "ARETURUS;" was made master of the "RACINE" in August 1864; sailed her two season. In the Spring of 1867 he took command of the bark "GLENBEULAH;" sailed her till she was destroyed in the Chicago fire of October, 1871. Capt. Williams was a resident of Chicago at the time, and his home was burned, the family escaping with only the clothes they had on. The balance of the season the captain spent as master of the bark "ST. LAWRENCE"; after the fire, moved to Milwaukee. The season of 1872 sailed the bark "PARANA;" then engaged as master of the schooner "JOSEPH PAGE," capacity 625 tons; has sailed her eight years. Residence No. 216 Huron street. Source:History of Milwaukee County, 1881
H. RAND (photo) Other names: also seen as HANSON RAND Official no.: 11185 Type at loss: schooner, wood, 3-mast Build info: 1856, Rand & Burger, Manitowoc, WI as 2-mast schooner Specs: 107x24x8, 125g 119n Date of loss: 1901, May 24 Place of loss: off Manitowoc, WI [Racine also given] Lake: Michigan Type of loss: storm Loss of life: 4 [all] Carrying: hardwood slabs Detail: She capsized and sank in a gale. Her captain always sailed her short-handed, and had often been warned that a small crew couldn't handle her in a storm. His daughter, the cook, was among the lost. She had been bound Coyne (Boyne?), MI, for Milwaukee. Later towed to the beach near Racine and blown up. Rebuilt, 1875, , enlarged in 1879, major repair, 1880 Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI ______________________________ LAUNCH OF THE H. RAND.—The fine Vessel owned by Messrs. Rand & Edwards was launched on Thursday last from the yard of H. Rand & Son., & Capt. Edwards is superintending her rigging & fitting her for active service. Capt. Bell has completed the rigging of the S. Bates owned by Messrs. Van Valkenburen & Co., and she is now ready for business. Both of these Vessel's ??finely modeled and will be no disgrace to the port from which they hail; on the contrary, they reflect credit upon the enterprise which projected, and the skill which fashioned them. A third vessel will be ready for launching in a few days Manitowoc Tribune, Manitowoc, Wis. Thursday, May 1, 1856 P. 5 ***** Rand & Sons launched the schooner H. RAND, April 24, 1856. She is 134 tons register, owned by the Rands and her commander, Captain Joseph Edwards. From "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" by Dr. L. Falge 1911 vol. 1 ***** MARINE DISASTERS OF 1867 June - Schrs H Rand and Madison, collide at Muskegon. Damaged, each, $100. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, December 20, 1867 ***** The following was contributed by a researcher, Jenny Lecus : My great-great uncle, Harry Lecus, died on the H. Rand on May 24, 1901. He was only 17 years old. He worked on the ship. Here are some articles about it (I typed exactly what was written): I believe this first one is from the Waukesha Freeman. I don’t know the exact date, but it was shortly after the accident: Probably Drowned Ten miles northeast of Milwaukee, bottom up and waterlogged, lies the three-masted schooner H. Rand, of Racine, wrecked by the recent gale over Lake Michigan. Three men and a woman who were on the boat are supposed to be dead. They are: Capt. Jefferson, of Racine; his daughter, Daisy Jefferson, aged 27 years, cook of the vessel; Harry Lecus, of Milwaukee, and Frank Seabert, of Sheboygan, sailors. ***** MISSING SCHOONER THE RAND OF RACINE IS OVERDUE, AND MAY POSSIBLY BE FOUNDERED VESSEL. The schooner Rand of Racine is reported missing, and it is feared that she may be the vessel that foundered off Sheboygan Friday last. A dispatch was received this morning from Boyne City, where the schooner Rand left last week, asking if she had put in here. The meager description of the fragments of the lost vessel tally somewhat with the Rand’s. She is three-masted and is supposed to have a cargo of slabs aboard. This boat must not be confounded with the steambarge Rand, which arrived here this morning. The schooner H. Rand is owned and commanded by Capt. Ralph Jefferson of Racine. The vessel was built in Manitowoc by the Burgers in 1886 and was valued at $7500. She is rated as class A2. A dispatch received this afternoon from G. Van Plaaten, Boyne City, in a measure confirms the fears for the H. Rand. It stated that the schooner left there last Wednesday for Milwaukee with a cargo of slabs, consigned to W. Schlosser of this city. The hull of the foundered schooner has been sighted a few miles off Port Washington and the tug W. H. Meyers will go out this afternoon and endeavor to get near enough to read her name. The hull is but about three feet above water line and passing vessels have been unable to ascertain her name. While no clew as to the identity of the foundered vessel off Sheboygan has been obtained it is definitely known now that it was not the C. H. Hackley, Mrs. Oertling, the wife of the captain, receiving a telegram from him last night from Boyne City, which stated that he arrived there safely yesterday afternoon. The foundered vessel was sighted by the steamer Jewett of the Erie line yesterday afternoon at 4:05, twelve miles northeast of Port Washington. Capt. Jewett steamed close to the upturned schooner, which he said today appeared to be that of a two-master. It was but three feet out of water. The bottom of the vessel was painted green and her bulwarks white. No name of any kind was visible. It is believed that the crew must have all perished as some report from them would otherwise have been received before this. Captain’s daughter Aboard. RACINE, Wis., May 28.—The vessel which was lost off Manitowoc with all hands on board is undoubtedly the schooner Rand of this port. The Rand cleared here two weeks ago yesterday morning for Boyne, Mich., for a load of hardwood or hardwood slats, having on board a crew consisting of Capt. Ralph Jefferson, 57 years of age: Miss Daisy Jefferson, the captain’s daughter, 27 years of age; Frank Seabert of Sheboygan, 27 years of age, and Harry Lecrun of Milwaukee, 20 years of age. Mrs. Jefferson Mourns Husband as Dead. Mrs. Jefferson, the wife of the captain, was called upon this afternoon and was found crying bitterly. She believes that the vessel is the Rand and that the entire crew is lost. Mrs. Jefferson said she received a letter from her husband yesterday, dated at Boyne, Mich., in which he said that the vessel was loaded and ready to clear one week ago today. At that time the wind was ahead and Mrs. Jefferson believes that when it came from the north on Saturday, the boat was painted lead color on the bottom and that the parts which extend over the dock were painted green and the rail streaks black. Milwaukee Journal, Wis., May 28, 1901 (the Harry Lecrun they mention is really Harry Lecus, who was 17, not 20) ***** DANGEROUS TO NAVIGATION FLOATING HULL OF FOUNDERED VESSEL CLOSE TO MILWAUKEE HARBOR. Late yesterday afternoon the tug Welcome streamed out of the harbor to get a close view of the upturned hull, that is floating off south point, in order to ascertain definitely the name of the unfortunate schooner. The Milwaukee lifesaving crew, in command of Capt. Carland, was aboard of the tug, with a full set of life-saving apparatus, in case that some life might still be found clinging to the wreck. The hull was found about seven miles out in the lake, in a dangerous position for passing vessels. The wind was too high to admit the approach of the Welcome, but the life-saving crew reached her, and succeeded in attaching and bringing to shore the mizzen boom and main mast. They were unable to read the name on the hull. This is of a dull slate color, with a green stripe running around the water line. The boom recovered is painted white. Capt. Carland said, on his return last night, that he was assured that the boat was all that remained of the H. Rand. Besides Capt. Ralph Jefferson, the master and owner, there is known to have been on the schooner Rand, Miss Daisy Jefferson, the daughter of the captain, acting as stewardess; Frank Seabert, of Sheboygan, and Harry Lecus of Milwaukee. Lecus was 20 years of age, and made his house when in the city with his parents, at 164 Stuart street, and his parents are today grief stricken at the probability that their son met a sudden death on the lake. Although the description of the hulk tallies closely to that of the H. Rand, there are other vessels also missing. At 5 o’clock this morning, the steamer Indiana passed the floating hulk a mile and a half off South Point and it will beach at South Milwaukee some time today. From the official records, the H. Rand is shown to have been built in 1856. She had a gross tonnage of 124 tons, and a net of 118. Her keel beam was 106 by 23. Capt. Ralph Jefferson was known to all the local marine men for many years. His daughter had been cooking on the schooner for nearly ten years and frequently the captain’s entire family lived on the boat. He had two sons, one of whom worked on local tugs here for several years and is now in Pittsburg. Charles Jefferson, the other son, now resides at Manistee. The H. Rand has sides at Manistee. The H. Rand has been in a frail condition for some time. The captain was to put new spars on her this spring, but deferred it, for some reason. Milwaukee Sentinel, Wis., May 29, 1901 ***** The following was sent to me by D. Swayze. SIX MEN MAY HAVE PERISHED (headline) (article regarding the ship wreckage found off Sheboygan in the recent gale wreckage thought to be that of schr C. H. HACKLEY - RAND not mentioned, but the ship later turned out to be the RAND) SCHOONER C.H. HACKLEY OVERDUE AT SHEBOYGAN WRECKAGE FOUND FIFTEEN MILES FROM SHORT STEAMER JOHN DUNCAN UNABLE TO PICK IT UP Milwaukee, May 25.—It is believed by marine men here that a schooner foundered off Cheboygan in the gale of Friday and that, in all probability, her entire crew were lost, Capt. Elmer Crane, of the steamer John Duncan, which arrived here today, says that he passed through the wreckage of a vessel early this morning when fifteen miles off shore between Manitowoc and Sheboygan. The wreckage included a vessel's cabin with smoke pipe from the galley range, a trunk, three window sashes, a section of deck, hatch covers and a piece of rail. A heavy sea was running and Capt. Crane was unable to get any of the wreckage on board his boat. He could see no name painted on it, nor any other clue to the identity of the boat. Vessel men have tried to guess the name of the schooner which has in all likelihood gone down, but have been unable to agree on any one boat. It is said the schooner C.H. Hackley is missing, but sailors claim that she is a stanch boat and well able to weather Friday's gale. It is believed late tonight that the wreckage is part of the schooner C.H. Hackley, which was due at Sheboygan today, but which had not reached that port up to 10:30 o'clock tonight. the C.H. Hackley was in command of Capt. O. Ertl and a crew of five men. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, May 26, 1901 ***** FLOATING ABOUT LAKE MICHIGAN HULL OF A SCHOONER THAT CANNOT BENAMED BY MARINE MEN DERELICT IS DRIFTING TOWARDS MILWAUKEE — MAY BE BEACHED TODAY Chicago, May 27. —The identity of the schooner which is drifting about lake Michigan, north of Milwaukee, capsized and full of water, remains more of a mystery than at any time since the discovery after Friday’s storm. The schooner C. A. Hackley (sic) which was reported missing and overdue at Sheboygan, with a cargo of slabs, arrived at Charlevoix to-day, and Capt. Cortling reported all well on board the vessel. Vesselmen vainly tried to identify the boat, but the blow had scattered the sailing fleet so far that it will take several days before the owners and agents can check up and tell what is missing. Meanwhile, the derelict has been seen by crews of three or four steamers, but the hull lies so low in the water that no name can be found. The hull is over on its side and nearly submerged. The masts lie in the water and the sails and rigging are floating alongside. The masts are three in number and the schooner was of the plain fore-and-aft rig. The steady northeast wind has been driving the derelict southwest ever since the disaster, in which the crew, in all probability, perished. The last reports located her five miles off Port Washington, and unless picked up soon, it is due to go on the beach near Milwaukee. The hulk has been averaging about a mile and a half per hour all the time and will be on the beach to-morrow, unless the wind changes or the currents hold it out in the lake. Marine men believe there is no hope left that the crew might be saved. If they had been picked up by a passing craft they would have been landed in some port before this. The findings of the yawl boat, overturned and full of water, told how the sailors had abandoned their vessel for the yawl, and this had in turn failed them and left them to drown. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, May 27, 1901 ***** SUPPOSED TO BE THE RAND WIDOW OF CAPT. JEFFERSON HAS GIVEN UP HOPE OF THE VESSEL HER HUSBAND AN DAUGHTER WERE AMONG THE LOST TWO OTHERS WERE ON BOARD AND THEY, TOO, HAVE LIKELY PERISHED Racine, Wis., May 28. —There is every reason to believe that the derelict schooner off Milwaukee is the H. Rand, of this port, and that all on board have perished. The crew consisted of the following: Capt. Ralph Jefferson, owner and master, of Racine, aged 51 years; Daisy Jefferson, his daughter, stewardess, aged 28 years; Frank Seabert of Sheboygan, seaman, aged 27 years; and Harry Lucas, of Milwaukee, seaman, aged 21 years. Both of the sailors were unmarried. Capt. Jefferson had owned and sailed the Rand for several years, and never carried a full crew. He had been repeatedly warned that his short crew could not handle the boat in a blow, but up to the recent gale had escaped loss. The schooner loaded hardwood slabs at Coyne, Michigan, just before the gale. She was consigned to Milwaukee market. Capt. Jefferson leaves a widow, two sons and a daughter, besides the one drowned. Mrs. Jefferson has given up all hopes that the boat and crew may be safe. Milwaukee, Wis., May 28. —The derelict schooner which has been drifting about Lake Michigan since Friday is off Fox Point to-night, fifteen miles from the harbor. The lifesaving crew and the tug Welcome went out to the wreck to-day, but owing to the heavy sea, which has in every previous case prevented close inspection, the life-savers were unable to do anything with the wreck. The tug brought back the mizzenmast and boom which were floating near the spot. The description of the wreck corresponds with that of the missing schooner H. Rand, of Racine, and it is believed that she is the lost boat. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, May 28, 1901 ***** NO BODIES FOUND SCHOONER WRECKED OFF SHEBOYGAN WAS THE H. RAND Racine, Wis., May 29. —It is now known for sure that the schooner wrecked off Sheboygan in last week’s gale was the H. Rand, of this port. This afternoon the tug Dixon, with the life-saving crew in tow, went out in search of the wreck and, after four hours cruising, the capsized hull was found fifteen miles north of Racine, and about two miles from shore. A line was made fast to the wreck, and it was beached. The boat was identified as the Rand from a spliced foremast, and the color of the hull. The stern and cabin were gone, and in attempting to beach the schooner, the tug pulled out her bow. The boat is a complete wreck, and commenced going to pieces as soon as she was put ashore. No bodies were found about the wreck. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, May 29, 1901 ***** Schooner Rand Will Be Blown Up Milwaukee, May 31. —The wreck of the schooner H. Rand, which is lying on the beach near Racine, will be blown up to-morrow under direction of Capt. A. B. Davis, of the revenue cutter Morrill. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, May 31, 1901
RHINE Other names: none Official no.: 203483 Type at loss: gas screw, wood, packet (fruit boat?) Build info: 1904, Manitowoc Specs: 39 ft., 12 t. Date of loss: 1908, Dec 26 Place of loss: off Frankfort, MI Lake: Michigan Type of loss: storm Loss of life: 4 Carrying: ? Detail: Foundered in a gale. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI
ALICE RICHARDS Marine casualties of 1871 Sept - Bark Alice Richards, dismasted on Lake Superior, and was towed to Chicago.
HENRY C. RICHARDS Other names: none Official no.: 95257 Type at loss: schooner, wood, 3-mast Build info: 1873, H. Burger, Manitowoc, WI Specs: 189x33x13, 700g 665n Date of loss: 1895, Oct 27 Place of loss: about 15 miles off Little Sable Pt. Lake: Michigan Type of loss: storm Loss of life: none Carrying: ? Detail: Foundered after release from the tow of the disabled steamer H.C. TUTTLE in a gale and blizzard. Her people were rescued by the White Lake Lifesaving Service crew. Built as a grain-carrier Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI ______________________________ We see by the Chicago Tribune that Mr. Jonah Richards of this city, has sold to T. Tostonson a one fourth interest in the schooner Henry C. Richards, for $10,000. The Manitowoc Pilot, Wis., Thursday, July 15, 1875 pg. 3 ***** The schooner Henry Richards, of Manitowoc, is anchored off Plum Island. She is disabled and has telegraphed for a tug. The Door county Advocate, Sturgeon Bay, Wis., Thursday, October 21, 1880 pg. 3 ***** The schooner Henry C. Richards left on Sunday last. Her beauty attracted general attention while she was in port. Captain Roche knows how to keep a vessel in trim. The Manitowoc Pilot, Wis., Thursday, September 29, 1887 pg. 3 ***** The schooner Henry C. Richards, of Cleveland, O., and owned by Capt. C.E. Benham, foundered Tuesday morning twenty-five miles off Little Point, Au Sable. The crew took to the yawl boat and were picked up by Capt. Lysaght and crew of the White River Life Saving station. The loss is about $20,000. The Public Ledger, Maysville, Kentucky · Wednesday, October 30, 1895 pg. 3 ***** FOUNDERED. The Schooner Henry C. Richards Goes Down Off Little Point Au Sable—The Crew Picked Up Detroit, Oct. 30,—A special to the Free Press from Montaque, Mich., says: The schooner Henry C. Richards of Cleveland foundered 15 miles off Little Point au Sable. the crew took to the yawl boat and after terrible suffering were picked up by the White River life saving crew. the vessel parted from the steamer H.B. Tuttle, which was towing her Sunday night and drifted helplessly until she foundered. The Buffalo Commercial, Buffalo, New York · Wednesday, October 30, 1895 pg. 3 ***** The schooner Henry C. Richards, of Cleveland, foundered off Little Point Au Sable with iron ore, from Escanaba to South Chicago. There was a howling snowstorm blowing when the crew took to the yawl. They suffered severely until rescued by the White River life saving crew. Loss $20,000. Belding Banner, Belding, Michigan · Thursday, November 07, 1895 pg. 2
MAY RICHARDS Other names: none Official no.: 91283 Type at loss: schooner, wood, 3-mast Build info: 1880, J. Richards, Manitowoc Specs: 162x27x15, 531g 511n Date of loss: 1906, Oct 6 Place of loss: N. Bass Isl Lake: Erie Type of loss: storm Loss of life: none Carrying: coal Detail: Tow of steamer BENTON with H.C. COBB(?), she was driven ashore and pounded to pieces in a gale. Perhaps built on the hull of the Luther Moses-built str SUSQUEHANNA of 1858 Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI
R J SANBORN Casualties on the Lakes the Past Season. July 1866 - Bark R. J. Sanborn, carried away foremast on lake Huron; sails damaged. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, December 19, 1866 ***** Marine casualties of 1871 June - Schooner R. J. Sanborn, struck Manistee pier and sunk inside. ***** Disasters to Shipping on the Lakes in 1872 Aug - Schooner R. J. Sanborn, split foresail and topsail on Lake Michigan. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, Sat., 14 Dec, 1872 ***** Marine Casualties of 1873 Nov 1873 - Schooner E. J. Sanborn, fourteen years on the lakes, struck Manitowoc pier and reported a total loss; valuation $5,000. (Note: R.J. Sanborn?) Detroit Free Press, Michigan, 9 Dec, 1873
JOHN SCHUETTE Other names: in some MVUS she is listed as JOHN SCHETTE Official no.: 75762 Type at loss: schooner, wood Build info: 1875, Hanson & Scove, Two Rivers, WI Specs: 137x26x11, 270g 256n Date of loss: 1909, Jul 2 Place of loss: off Ecorse, MI Lake: Detroit R Type of loss: collision Loss of life: none Carrying: coal Detail: Bound Cleveland for Lake Superior, she collided with the steamer ALFRED MITCHELL and sank in the shipping lane. Later she was dragged ashore by winch and tackle and abandoned. In 1878 she carried a cargo of naval stores from Wilmington, N.C. to Riga, Russia for the Russian government Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI ______________________________ CAPT. HENRY BERENSON, No. 401 Orchard street, was born in Norway, in 1847, and came here with his parents in 1849. He commenced sailing in 1862, and has followed the same vocation since. He has gradually worked up to the position of captain, which he has held the past three years, and is now commander of the "JOHN SCHUETTE," in the grain and iron ore trade. His father still lives here, and is a ship carpenter by trade. He was married in the Autumn of 1873, to Miss Clara A. Hochberg(?). They have three children--James C., Bertha S., and Clara A. Source:History of Milwaukee County, 1881 ***** CAPT. WILLIAM LUND, Master of the schooner, "ALICE B. NORRIS," was born in Norway, July 28, 1845; came to Milwaukee 1847. When 16 years of age went sailing on the lakes with Capt. Sanford on the "JESSE HOYT." Enlisted April 1, 1862, in Co. D, Eighth U.S. Infantry; served three years; was in all the engagements in which his regiment participated. When 21 years of age, was made master of the scow "DAN SICKLES;" sailed her one season; next sailed the schooner "MAPLE LEAF," of which he and his brother George owned a three-fourth interest; sailed this vessel five or six seasons. She was subsequently lost off Grand Haven (1879). Next sailed the schooner "H.B. STEELE," and the scow "CRUSADER." In the Summer of 1878, went to Wilmington, N.C., and took charge of the schooner "JOHN SCHUETTE;" took on a cargo of naval stores, and sailed to Riga, Russia. From there sailed to Portsmouth, England, with a cargo of deals; coasted the east coast of England, and in the Spring of 1879, sailed to Cardiff, Wales, took on a cargo of coals and went to Havana, Cuba; loading with sugar, he sailed to Montreal, taking on a cargo of fine salt at this place, returned to Chicago, arriving in that port September 2, 1879. The sketch of the cruise of the "JOHN SCHUETTE," a Milwaukee vessel, is of interest, showing the distance sailed and amount of business done with her in a little more than a year's time. In 1880, he took command of the "ALICE B. NORRIS." Residence, No. 272 Hanover street. Source:History of Milwaukee County, 1881 ***** OLD SCHOONER WRECKED The old schooner, John Schuette, was sunk in a collision with the steamer Mitchell in Detroit River last week. The schooner is a total loss. The Schuette was built in this city by Hanson and Scove and was launched on the 1st of May, 1875. The old schooner was one of the best on the lakes for many years and has carried many a cargo safely through the storms of many seasons. Sailing vessels, the size of the Schuette, are becoming more and more scarce each year and it is seldom that one is seen on the lake. When the boat was launched here it was considered a mammoth craft. In recent years, steam vessels have taken the place of the old schooners and they are rapidly being abandoned. The Chronicle, Two Rivers, Wis., - Tues., July 13, 1909
H.M. SCOVE Other names: none Official no.: 95256 Type at loss: schooner, wood Build info: 1873, Hanson & Scove, Manitowoc, WI Specs: 138x26x10, 306g 290n Date of loss: 1891, Nov Place of loss: just off Pilot Isl., Death's Door Lake: Michigan Type of loss: storm Loss of life: none Carrying: ? Detail: She foundered, a total loss of about $6000. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI
SCOW #2 Other names: ? Official no.: ? * Type at loss: unrigged scow Build info: ? Specs: ? Date of loss: 1896, Oct 19 Place of loss: near Harbor Entrance at Two Rivers, WI Lake: Michigan Type of loss: unreported Loss of life: ? Carrying: ? Detail: No detail. Sunk. *probably none Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI
SEA GEM Casualties on the Lakes the Past Season. June 1866 - Schooner Sea Gem, cargo lumber, sprung a leak on Lake Huron; got in the river. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, December 19, 1866 ***** Marine Disasters on the Western Lakes during 1869 By Capt. J. W Hall, Marine Reporter, Detroit April - Schooner L C. Irwin, damaged by collision with schooner Sea Gem, at Chicago.Schooner Sea Gem, bowsprit sprung, jib-boom, and head-gear carried away same time. Nov - Schooner Sea Gem, damaged by collision at Manitowoc, Lake Michigan. ***** Disasters to Shipping on the Lakes in 1872 Aug - Schooner Sea Gem, damaged hull by striking Manistee pier. Sep - Nine vessels, viz., Schooner Ostrich, Eliza Day, Challenge, SEA GEM, Hattie Wells, A. Rust, L. B. Shepard, A. H. Wright and New Hampshire, lost sails and outfit in a gale on Lake Michigan. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, Sat., 14 Dec, 1872 ***** Marine Casualties of 1873 Jul 1873 - Schooner Sea Gem got ashore on Lake Michigan, and damaged $400. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, 9 Dec, 1873
SHEBOYGAN Vessel Name: Sheboygan Other Names: None Official Number: Unknown Vessel Type: Sidewheel Steamer (Passenger & Packet Freight) Built: 1869, Greenleaf S. Rand Shipyard, Manitowoc, Wisconsin Final Location: Maritime Bay, near Manitowoc, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan Date Lost: September 28, 1914 Cause: Deliberate Scuttling – Burned & Beached Final Cargo: None (Vessel Stripped Prior to Destruction) Loss of Life: None Specifications Hull Material: Wood Propulsion: Sidewheel, Steam-powered Builder: Greenleaf S. Rand Shipyard, Manitowoc, WI (merged with H. Burger Shipyard in 1870 to form Rand & Burger Shipyard) Owner: Goodrich Transportation Company (operated for 45 years) Service Area: Wisconsin’s western Lake Michigan shoreline, operating between ports such as Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, and Chicago Source: shotlinediving.com Marine casualties of 1871 Sept - Steamer Sheboygan, her upper works damaged in a storm on Lake Michigan. ***** Marine Casualties of 1873 Apr 1873 - Steamer Sheboygan, broke several buckets from her wheels by coming in contact with a bridge at Chicago. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, 9 Dec, 1873 ***** The steamer Sheboygan took her place on the west shore line on Tuesday. The courteous Capt. McIntosh is in command. The Manitowoc Pilot, Wis., Thursday, April 13, 1882 pg. 3 ***** The old Goodrich steamer Sheboygan was towed out into the lake Thursday afternoon, set on fire and destroyed in the bay between Two Rivers and Manitowoc. The boat was 54 years old. About 3 years ago it was placed out of commission. It often made this port when this harbor was on the schedule. Two Rivers Reporter, Manitowoc, Wis., Saturday, September 26, 1914 pg. 1 ***** OLD SIDE WHEELER IS BURNED TO WATER Goodrich Steamer Sheboygan Once Pride of the Lakes DISCARDED AFTER 45 YEARS Boat Is Run on the Beach and Torch Is Applied to Her. With Company's Officers Present. Elaborate ceremonies attended the burning of the Goodrich line side wheel steamer "Sheboygan," namesake of this city, at Manitowoc last evening. In the presence of President Goodrich, General Supt. Thorp and party from Chicago, the boat was towed a mile north of the harbor piers by the tug Arctic, which escort had towed it thousands of times in years past, and set afire. Thousands of persons along the shore and from the city's building tops witnessed the "death" of the old craft, at one time pride of the lakes. It died of old age. As the tug Arctic towed the sidewheeler, minus its wheels, out of the harbor for the last time, factory whistles, locomotives and craft at the dock, bid farewell by blowing three long and one short blast. The little tug responded. Touched with sentiment, the city seemed in mourning. In fact, among the old time skippers and sailors there was many a moist eye as they was the flames eat the boat to the water's edge. The only surviving captain of the Sheboygan, as far as is known, Capt. Edward Carus of Manitowoc was a spectator at the "funeral." The steamer Sheboygan was built at the Manitowoc ship yards in 1869. It plied Lake Michigan continually until the winter of 1912, when it was laid up river. Two months ago it was turned over to the Manitowoc Iron and Metal company, which concern dismantled it/ The boat was 212 feet long and forty-five foot beam. Captains on the carferries coming from Ludington stated they could see the flames fifty miles last night. The Sheboygan Press, Wis., Saturday, September 26, 1914 pg. 1
L B SHEPARD Other names: none Official no.: 14676 Type at loss: schooner, wood Build info: 1855, Laveyea, Buffalo Specs: 115x26x11, 215g 204n Date of loss: 1898, Oct. Place of loss: near Two Rivers, WI Lake: Michigan Type of loss: storm Loss of life: ? Carrying: none Detail: She capsized and sank in a white squall, and later came ashore. Not much information available on this vessel in use 43 years. Aground near Milwaukee in 1869. Ashore and wrecked near Two Rivers, WI, in 1881. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI ______________________________ Marine Disasters on the Western Lakes during 1869 By Capt. J. W Hall, Marine Reporter, Detroit April - Schooner L. B. Shephard, aground outside Milwaukee harbor; pulled off. ***** Aug - Schr L. B. Sheppard, fouled and carried away foremast of schr Maid of the Mist at Sheboygan. Sep - Nine vessels, viz., schooner Ostrich, Eliza Day, Challenge, Sea Gem, Hattie Wells, A. Rust, L. B. SHEPARD, A. H. Wright and New Hampshire, lost sails and outfit in a gale on Lake Michigan. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, Sat., 14 Dec, 1872
SILVER LAKE Other names: none Official no.: 116263 Type at loss: scow-schooner, wood, 2-mast Build info: 1889, Little Point Sauble, MI Specs: 95x20x8, 111g 106n Date of loss: 1900, May 28 Place of loss: 10 miles off Manitowoc, WI Lake: Michigan Type of loss: collision Loss of life: 1 Carrying: lumber Detail: She was rammed and sunk by the carferry PERE MARQUETTE in fog. She hung by her rigging from the bow of the ferry until 3 of her crew scrambled aboard. The cook had perished in crash. She was cut away to sink, but a large portion of her drifted ashore near Racine, WI, Sep 16. Owned by Nels Johnson of Racine Wreck located in May, 1977 Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI
ROUSE SIMMONS Other names: none Official no.: 110087 Type at loss: schooner, wood, 3-mast Build info: 1868, Allen, McClelland & Co., Milwaukee Specs: 123x28x8, 205g 195n Date of loss: 1912, Nov 26 Place of loss: off Kewaunee, WI (Rawley Point) Lake: Michigan Type of loss: storm Loss of life: 17 [all] Carrying: Christmas trees Detail: The famous “Christmas Tree Ship” was on her last trip of the season when she sailed out from Manistique, overloaded, into the teeth of a blizzard-gale. She had her regular crew plus about 10 lumberjacks aboard. She was overwhelmed and sunk off Kewaunee. She had been spotted, ice covered and in distress, farther to the north, and several boats, including one from C.G., had tried to find her. Wreck located 1971 in 180' near Rawley Pt. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI ***** LOSS OF SCHOONER ROUSE SIMMONS NOVEMBER 23, 1912 From "Lake Michigan Disasters" written in 1925 by Herbert Pits from newspaper accounts. The three masted schooner Rouse Simmons, better known as the "Christmas Tree Ship" entered the "port of missing ships" during a mighty storm and blizzard on November 23, 1912 somewhere off Twin River Point, Wisconsin. Laden with christmas trees to bring joy and pleasure to many homes and with its crew of fifteen men and helpless, also the wife of Capt. Nelson, who were guests of Captain Schuenmann on the trip were lost. The crew is as follows: Captain Chas. Nelson, Master of schooner and Mrs. Nelson, Captain Schuenmann, owner Steve Nelson, mate, Albert Luxta, cook, Chas. Nelson, seaman, Frank Carlson, seaman, Gilbert Swanson, seaman, Edward Newhouse, extra hand, Philip Larson, extra hand, Jack Pitt, extra hand, Andrew Pitt, extra hand, Four names unknown. The Rouse Simmons left Thompson's pier at Manistique, Mich., in command of Captain Schuenmann and sailed out on the waters of Green Bay and headed south on Lake Michigan. Almost immediately after her departure, adverse winds with a storm swept sea were encountered and made the passage more perilous. Late on Saturday afternoon the schooner was sighted five miles off Kewaunee, Wis., with distress signals flying, and sailed south into a blinding snow storm to oblivion, to be numbered among the unexplained mysteries that Lake Michigan guards so well. A telephone message from Kewaunee brought out the Two River life saving crew in their power surf boat under command of Captain Sogge. For hours they scoured the lake fifteen miles northwest, while a storm swept the lake, accompanied by darkness and a howling storm. After battling for six hours and finding no trace of the missing vessel, the life savers returned to Two Rivers, although the beach was patrolled as far north as Two Creeks. Many bundles of trees were found floating in the lake, and branches of evergreens and other wreckage was being raised in the nets of fishermen off Twin River Point, and it was the opinion of Captain Sogge that the Simmons became waterlogged and in an effort to keep afloat, the deck load was thrown overboard. Trees and wreckage was strewn on the beach for miles and some was found at Pentwater, Michigan. Later the Two River life savers made a trip as far north as Sandy Bay, but no trace was even found, a search by the revenue cutter Tuscarora was equally futile. The schooner was reported to have been in a dangerous condition when it sailed from Chicago for the cargo. She was one hundred and twenty three feet long, twenty seven feet wide, and eight feet deep, and was built in Milwaukee in 1868. A sailor superstition saved the life of Hogan Hoganson who was to have gone on the trip as a member of the crew. While in Chicago harbor just prior to the departure the rats left the vessel, and Hoganson refused to go, as this has always been considered a bad omen by seamen. As late as 1923 trees have still been raised in the nets of Two Rivers fishermen, and on one occasion a headless corpse, believed to have been that of one of the crew, of the ill-fated ship was brought to the surface. The fishermen made every effort to get the gruesome find to their boats, but it slipped back into the water and was lost, to rest undisturbed at the bottom forever. Note: On or about April 1st, 1924, Captain Norman Allie of the Two River Steamer Reindeer recovered a leather bill fold belonging to Capt. Schuenemann. The fold was held together by a band of rubber, and pieces of birch bark were placed on either end to prevent soiling or destroying the contents. The bill fold contained personal and business cards bearing the Captain's name, also a copy of a Thompson Michigan newspaper telling of the departure of the ship. Other articles of the bill fold were all in good condition and some were still readable. One of the pieces of paper is a part of a receipt and plainly shows the Captain's name. Portions of the memorandum contain an account of money expended for supplies. This is the first definite find that proved without a doubt that the ship was lost off Two Rivers Point. Another evidence proving the fate of this mystery ship came to light when a fisherman of Two Rivers, on April 7, 1924, while raising his net found entangled in the meshes a skull. A rather gruesome evidence proving the fate of the ship and its crew. The same fisherman reported that some time previous a skeleton had also been entangled in his net, but sank to the bottom before he could get it into his boat. ***** ROUSE SIMMONS FIND RELICS OF LOST SHIP The first reliable trace of the ill-fated schooner, "Rouse Simmons", which is believed to have been lost off Two Rivers Point on Nov. 23, 1913, is a billfold which was found entangled in the nets of the fishing tug, "Reindeer" last week. Captain Norman Allie, owner of the "Reindeer" was engaged in lifting his nets when long lost relics of the old "Christmas Tree Ship" were dragged up from the deep. The fold contained several business cards bearing the name of Capt. Schunemann, skipper of the "Rouse Simmons", and also a clipping from a Thompson, Mich. newspaper telling of the departure of the Christmas Tree Ship for Chicago with a cargo of "Tannenbaums". Memoranda of expenses and accounts and a few articles of minor importance were also preserved quite perfectly in the tightly closed billfold. Pieces of birch bark and an enclosing band of rubber helped to preserve the contents from the ravages of the waves. The disappearance of the "Rouse Simmons" has always been one of the romantic, yet unsolved mysteries of the lake and not until Capt. Allie made his discovery had any definite proof been found of just what became of the distressed schooner which was last reported racing past Kewaunee on the stormy morning of Nov. 23, 1913. The Reporter, Manitowoc, Wis., Fri., Apr. 11, 1924
ROVER Other names: none Official #: none Type at loss: schooner, wood Build info: 1854, Manitowoc, Wis. Specs: 35 t. Date of loss: 1858, Sep 3 [1st capsized] Place of loss: off Ludington, MI Lake: Michigan Type of loss: (storm) Loss of life: none of 4 Carrying: lumber & cordwood Detail: Bound for Milwaukee, she sprung a leak and partially capsized, throwing part of her deckload into the lake and filling her. Her crew stayed aboard as she drifted about for three days, and finally abandoned her when the Michigan shore came into view. They landed safely near Pere Marquette [Ludington] and lived for three more days on potatoes salvaged from the wreck. The wreck came ashore 3.5 mi N of Portage, Mich. Owned by J. H. Myer of Milwaukee, who was aboard at the time of the wreck. ROVER foundered in water deep enough that only the tips of her masts showed in early Sep., 1856. She went down off South Point, near Milwaukee. It was the opinion of the papers that neither she nor her cargo of brick would be recovered. She had recently been released and rerigged after a long stay on a nearby beach. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI ______________________________ The schooner Rover, from Manitowoc to Milwaukee, capsized in a squall last week, spilled her deck load of lumber, and righted again full of water. The seas washed the decks so that the crew abandoned her in a boat, leaving the jib set. The vessel had not been seen since, up to last Saturday morning. Daily Commercial Register, Sandusky, Ohio, Friday Morning, October 1, 1858 pg. 3
E. M. SHOYER October 11, 1855, E. Sorenson, owner and builder, launched the schooner E.M. Shoyer. From "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" by Dr. L. Falge 1911 vol. 1
LUCIA A. SIMPSON Other names: none Official no.: 140097 Type at loss: schooner, wood, 3-mast Build info: 1875, Rand & Burger, Manitowoc, WI Specs: 127x28x9, 227g 216n Date of loss: 1935, Dec 5 Place of loss: at Sturgeon Bay, WI Lake: Michigan Type of loss: fire Loss of life: none Carrying: none Detail: She caught fire and was destroyed at her layup dock, where she had been tied for a couple of years. One of the last full-rigged schooners on the lakes, she had just completed her 60th season! (See also WAUKEGAN, PETOSKEY) Major repair in 1883 Vessel Location—— Body of Water: Green Bay County: Door Nearest City: Sturgeon Bay Latitude: N 44° 50.389' Longitude: W 087° 23.193' Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI ______________________________ The new schooner built by Messrs. Rand & Berger, of Manitowoc, for E.B. Simpson & Co., of this city, was launched on Saturday, and christened the Lucia A. Simpson. The new vessel is pronounced by all judges who have seen her to be the best of her size ever constructed on this lake, and a handsome one, too. Messrs. Rand & Berger evidently want Milwaukee builders and vessel owners to see what they can do in the shipbuilding line. The Lucia A. Simpson is of the following dimensions: Length of keel, 126 fee 5 inches; breadth of bean, 27 feet; average depth of hold, 9 feet 2 inches. She will carry 16,000 bushels of wheat, or 250,000 feet of lumber. Her owners claim that she will rate Star A1. — Evening Wisconsin. The Manitowoc Tribune, Wis., Thursday, November 26, 1874 pg. 5 ***** The new schooner Lucia A. Simpson, built by Rand & Berger last fall, was towed down to Torrison's dock where after taking on a cargo of cordwood she set sail for the south yesterday morning on her maiden trip. The Manitowoc Tribune, Thursday, April 22, 1875 pg. 5 ***** We paid a visit to the new schooner Lucia A. Simpson, last evening, and found her worthy of the praise that had been bestowed upon her by the people and press of Manitowoc, where she was built. the dimensions of the Lucia A. Simpson are as follows: Length, 126 feet 5 inches; beam 27 feet 6 inches; average depth of hold, 9 feet 2 inches. Her model is excellent for a lumber craft, having a great deal of sheer and perfect lines. While showing a fine entrance and run, she possesses plenty of floor, which ensures large carrying capacity upon a light draught of water. It is estimated that she will carry 200,000 feet of lumber upon 8 feet 6 inches draught, and 240,000 feet upon 9 feet draught. Particular attention was paid to strength in her construction. Her deck is supported by two shelf-pieces of extra thickness, through-bolted, and, in addition to this the deck also has the support of heavy knees at proper intervals. The cabin being placed on deck, leaves an unobstructed hold aft of the forecastle bulkhead for stowing lumber. The cabin itself is commodious, and a model of neatness. Taken altogether, the Lucia A. Simpson is the best vessel we have yet see, that has been constructed especially for the lumber trade—and the credit for the success belongs to her builders, Messrs. Rand & Berger, of Manitowoc, than whom there are no better anywhere.—Wisconsin. The Manitowoc Tribune, Thursday, April 29, 1875 pg. 5 ***** The large schooner Lucia A. Simpson unloaded a cargo of timber near the beach on the south side on Monday. It is designed for use in the extension of the harbor. The Manitowoc Pilot, Thursday, September 11, 1879 pg. 3 ***** The schooner Lucia Simpson today commenced putting on her canvas. The Chicago Tribune, Illinois, Thursday, March 25, 1880 pg. 7 ***** At Milwaukee, William Halverson of Chicago, a sailor on the schooner Lucia A. Simpson, fell from the crosstree to the deck, receiving injuries that proved fatal. Vernon County Censor, Viroqua, Wisconsin · Wednesday, July 27, 1898 pg. 4 ***** The schooner Lucia Simpson lost her jibboom, bowsprit and headgear while being towed up the North Branch at Chicago yesterday afternoon. Buffalo Courier, Buffalo, New York · Tuesday, August 02, 1898 pg. 5 ***** Much concern is felt at Milwaukee regarding the whereabouts of the schooner Lucia Simpson, a small craft which left Milwaukee nine days ago for Frankfort, where she was to take on a cargo of lumber for Milwaukee. The Simpson is in command of Captain Neils Larson. Her mate is a Norwegian named Jorgenson, and Fred Jacobson, a Dane, is her cook. Another member of the crew is Martin Peterson, but the names of the other two members of the crew are not known. The Kaukauna Sun, Wis., Friday, December 20, 1901 pg. 11 ***** The schooner Lucia Simpson, which was brought to the shipyard several weeks ago after losing her mizzen mast in a squall off Algoma, was placed in the boxes Wednesday for a general survey. It is possible that the old schooner will be given a thorough rebuild this winter. Door County Advocate, Sturgeon Bay, Wis., Friday, September 6, 1929 pg. 6 ***** Fire in Graveyard of Ships Dooms Historic Lake Boats Lucia A. Simpson, old Thee-Masted Schooner, Among Vessels Destroyed by Blaze Sturgeon Bay, Wis., Dec. 4 (AP)—Fire raged through the "graveyard of forgotten ships" here last night and destroyed seven vessels, many of which at one time made maritime history on the Great Lakes. Among them was the Lucia A. Simpson, the last of the three-masted schooners on the lakes. The other six vessels destroyed, too old for active service, were steamers. They were the Crosby, Petosky, Swift, Waukegan, Kenosha and a tug, the Beaver. The fire started on the steamer Petosky, once part of the Goodrich Transportation Company's large fleet. Carried by a high wind, the fire spread rapidly through the "graveyard" fleet, moored on the banks of the Kinnickinnic River; Most of the vessels had rested there for several years, awaiting the hammer of the junkman. The Lucia A. Simpson was the oldest of the group. Built in 1875, the Simpson joined the "white-winged fleet of the Great Lakes," which then numbered about 1,500 sailing vessels. For more than 50 years she carried lumber from the Northern ports to Milwaukee and other cities on the lakes. Early in 1929, she was fitted out at the beginning of the season on a salvage venture, which had as its objective the recovery of part of the millions of dollars in coal cargoes sunk with vessels in Lake Superior. Although the Simpson left port bravely, manned by a crew of old-time windjammer fresh-water seamen, her years betrayed her. A few miles out of Milwaukee she ran into a fresh northeast blow and her seams opened. Only for the timely arrival of a tug, she would have foundered. She was towed to the "graveyard" and joined the ranks of the all-but-forgotten vessels. The Crosby, at one time, was a well known vessel on Lake Michigan. She ran between Milwaukee and East shore points. The Waukegan and Kenosha, built for minesweeping work during the war, never left the Great Lakes and later were purchased by the Hill Line for package freighters. The line passed to the control of the West Ports Line, later absorbed by Goodrich. The Swift carried passengers and freight out of Milwaukee for many years. Buffalo Courier Express, Buffalo, New York · Thursday, December 05, 1935 pg. 9 ***** A blaze at Sturgeon Bay Tuesday night and Wednesday morning destroyed five steamers and the old schooner Lucia A. Simpson. The fire started in the Petosky and spread to the Crosby, Swift, Waukegan and Kenosha. All of the ships were moored together in the mud flats "boneyard" and once the fire got a start there was nothing much that could be done about it. the biggest loss was to the Crosby which was to be converted into a bulk carrier. The Manitowoc Sun-Messenger, Wis., Friday, December 6, 1935 pg. 1
EDWARD E. SKEELE Other names: built as schooner PAULINE, renamed JOHN MEE in 1867, last name in 1914 Official no.: 76264 Type at loss: schooner, wood, 3-mast Build info: 1856, G. Barber, Manitowoc Specs: 122x26x9, 199g 189n Date of loss: 1921, Sep 25 Place of loss: Julia Bay of Manitoulin Isl. Lake: Huron Type of loss: storm Loss of life: ? Carrying: ? Detail: She was driven on a reef and heavily pounded. Later slipped off into deep water. She had one of the longest working lives of any wooden vessel - 65 years! Rebuilt, 1881. Wreck located in 1986. It is reported that she had a different official number as PAULINE [19674]. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI
THOMAS H. SMITH Other names: none Official no.: 145284 Type at loss: propeller steam tug, wood Build info: 1881, Rand & Burger, Manitowoc, WI Specs: 130x28x11, 281g 198n Date of loss: 1893, Nov 11 Place of loss: 5 mi NE of Racine, WI Lake: Michigan Type of loss: collision/explosion Loss of life: none Carrying: none Detail: She collided in fog with the big steamer ARTHUR ORR and began to sink. As cold water hit her boiler, it exploded and destroyed the tug. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI
DAVID SMOKE Other names: none Official no: 35051 Type at loss: schooner-barge, wood Build info: 1867, Peter J. Morgan, Manitowoc Specs: 180x35x9, 454 t. (593 t OM) Date of loss: 1869, Dec 4 Place of loss: at Buffalo Lake: Erie Type of loss: storm Loss of life: none Carrying: lumber Detail: In tow of the steamer PITTSBURG, she broke loose in a storm on Nov 25, but, under her own sail, made it to the beach near Long Point, Ont. A few days later she was pulled off and brought to Buffalo, probably by the tug F.L. DANFORTH. On the date shown she was blown loose from her berth at the new pier and drove ashore, where she was expected to break up. Owned by Morgan & Co., Detroit. Reported on later casualty list as “got off,” but that probably refers to the Long Point stranding, as she has no further registration. Source: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI ______________________________ Barge David Smoke. — This barge has been reconstructed from a steamer at Manitowoc for Capt. Morgan late of the steamer Sea Bird. She is an immense vessel, measuring 48d tons. She will shortly clear for Port Huron and engage in the lumber trade. The Daily Milwaukee News, Wis., Thursday, July 18, 1867 pg. 8 ***** The launch of the barge David Smoke took place on the 1st. The Manitowoc Tribune, Wis., Thursday, January 2, 1868 pg. 4 ***** THE BARGE SMOKE. — The barge David Smoke took on at Saginaw, from the mills at Zilwaukee and Carrellton, 580,000 feet of lumber and 60,000 lath, and came out without lightering. Her draft of water was 7 feet 6 inches. The Manitowoc Pilot, Wis., Thursday, May 8, 1868 pg. 1 ***** FOR SAGINAW. — The propeller forest Queen, having in tow the barge David Smoke, left here yesterday, shortly before noon, for Saginaw, there to load with lumber for Buffalo. The two have moved conjointly together throughout the season, during which time several million feet of the above commodity have been transferred through to the above point's nearby and safely and without delay. They are under contract until the close of the season, and, thus far, have performed their trips with regularity. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, Wednesday, August 19, 1868 pg. 4 ***** WATER LOGGED. — The barge David Smoke arrived at Buffalo on Thursday evening water logged. She had a cargo of 700 — 900 feet of lumber. Cleveland Daily Leader, Ohio, Monday, July 26, 1869 pg. 4 ***** MARINE. — The following in regard to the barge David Smoke, we copy from the Sentinel of last Saturday: The barge David Smoke, which broke adrift from the propeller Pittsburgh and was beached at Long Point, is a total loss. The tug Bryant has returned to Buffalo from a visit to the wreck. She reports that the decks of the barge have been washed off, and it is thought that the hull has broken in two. The sails and rigging were removed and brought to Buffalo. The Smoke was built at Manitowoc several years ago by Capt. S.W. Morgan and J.A. Kahler. Her measurement was about 500 tons. she belonged to Morgan & Co's barge line. The Manitowoc Tribune, Wis., Thursday, December 2, 1869 pg. 3 ***** BUFFALO ITEMS. — ...The barge David Smoke, which was brought here a few days ago, and tied up at the new pier, broke loose Saturday afternoon, and drifted on the beach. She will probably go to pieces. — (Courier, 6th) Detroit Free Press, Michigan, Wednesday, December 8, 1869 pg. 4 ***** The Buffalo Courier of the 27th states that the tug Frank Perew succeeded in getting off the barge David Smoke, ashore near Long Point, and towed her into Port Dover. Previous advices, it will be remembered, represented the barge to be a total loss. The Manitowoc Tribune, Wis., Thursday, December 9, 1869 pg. 3
KITTY SMOKE Other names: none also seen as KITTIE SMOKE Official no.: 14254 Type at loss: propeller steam tug, wood Build info: 1868, Hanson, Manitowoc Specs: 67x19x7, 75g 41n Date of loss: 1889, Nov 28 Place of loss: mouth of Saginaw R. Lake: Huron Type of loss: fire Loss of life: none Carrying: none Detail: Burned to a total loss - she was ashore at the time and her crew escaped easily. Reboilered in June, 1889. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI ______________________________ Marine Disasters on the Western Lakes during 1869 By Capt. J. W Hall, Marine Reporter, Detroit April - Tug Kitty Smoke, lost smoke-stack by collision at Manistee, Lake Michigan June - Tug Kitty Smoke, damaged by collision at Manitowoc. ***** THE NEW TUG.—The keel for the new tug for Hon. David Smoke, to be used in the construction of our harbor and towing business, was laid a few days ago. Mr. Jasper Hanson is the builder. Her dimensions are as follows: Keel, 60 feet, over all 66 feet; breadth of beam, 16 feet; depth of hold, 7 1/2 feet. The boiler for the boat will be manufactured by Mr. McKenzie of this place, and the machinery has been ordered in Chicago. The tug is to be ready for business early in the spring. The Manitowoc Tribune, Wis., Thursday, January 2, 1868 pg. 4 ***** The tugs Arctic, Kitty Smoke and Com. Nutt manage to do all the towing in and about the harbor. The Manitowoc Pilot, Wis., Thursday, April 6, 1882 pg. 3 ***** MIDNIGHT CREMATION. Burning of the Tug Kitty Smoke—The Crew Narrowly Escape. Last night about 11 o'clock the tug Kitty Smoke, owned by Capt. Harry Shaw and Wildman Bros., caught fire in the hold in some manner while entering the mouth of the river, burining to the water's edge and rendering her a total loss. She was bringing in a tow at the time, and the blaze was so unexpected that the crew, including Capt. Shaw, had to swim for it, reaching shore in a very exhausted and chilled condition, being brought up to this city by the tug Willie Browne this morning. The loss is estimated at $6,000, on which there is $4,500 insurance in the following companies: New Hampshire $1,500; California $1,000; Security $1,000; Scottish $1,000. Total $4,500. The Saginaw News, Michigan, Wednesday, November 27, 1889 pg. 6
STELLA Marine casualties of 1871 Aug - Schooner Stella, waterlogged and dismantled on Lake Michigan; 8 lives lost; recovered. ***** Marine Casualties of 1873 Nov 1873 - Schooners Stella, H. Fisher, Mosher and Carlingford were all damaged more or less in cargo on Lake Michigan. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, 9 Dec, 1873 ***** The schooner Stella, 184 tons, was launched May 27th, by James Harbridge, builder for Aldrich, Smith & Company, to be used in their lumber trade. From "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" by Dr. L. Falge 1911 vol. 1
SAMUEL M. STEPHENSON Other names: ? (probably) Official no.: (115772) Type at loss: schooner, wood Build info: (1880, Manitowoc) Specs: (175 ft, 511 t.) Date of loss: ? Place of loss: Saginaw River Lake: Huron Type of loss: ? sank or scuttled Loss of life: ? Carrying: ? Detail: Found on the bottom of the river when the water was low in the 1930's. How she got there is a mystery. May have been scuttled or left to rot. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI
J & A STRONACH Marine casualties of 1871 Apr - Schooner J. & A. Stronach, dismasted in gale on Lake Michigan. ***** Nov - Schooner MARGARET A. MUIR, run into by Schooner STRONACH at Manitowoc, the former lost her bowsprit; Schooner Ashtabula sunk at the dock same time. Nov - Schooners Stronach, Essex, and Ashtabula, all damaged more or less by collision at Manitowoc. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, 17 Dec., 1872 ***** Marine Disasters on the Western Lakes during 1869 By Capt. J. W Hall, Marine Reporter, Detroit Oct - Schooner J. & A. Stronach, hull damaged by collision at Milwaukee.
SUNBEAM Other names: built as steamer VICTOR, renamed in 1862 Official no.: none Type at loss: sidewheel steamer, wood, passenger & package freight Build info: 1861, Bates & Son, Manitowoc, WI Specs: 169x24x10, 398 gt Date of loss: 1863, Aug 28 Place of loss: off Keweenaw Pt Lake: Superior Type of loss: storm Loss of life: 28 of 29 Carrying: passengers Detail: Caught in a gale above Eagle Harbor while in company of the steamer MICHIGAN, she broke up and foundered offshore between Ontonagon and Portage Lake. Her crew took to her small lifeboats and were all lost except the wheelsman who had forsaken a boat for a piece of floating wreckage. He sustained himself for over 30 hours on the contents of a large bottle of port wine that had drifted near. Built with an unusual and unsuccessful Wittaker side propeller propulsion system, which was removed after its first year of service in favor of a standard sidewheel powerplant. Owned by the Goodrich Line of Chicago Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI
______________________________ Built as the Sunbeam but renamed the Victor a year later. She was a wooden passenger and package freight sidewheel steamer and was carrying passengers when she got caught in a storm while being accompanied by the steamer Michigan, she broke up and foundered off Keweenaw Point in Lake Superior on August 28, 1863. Her crew was all lost in the lifeboats except the wheelsman who grabbed at a piece of floating wreckage and survived. He drifted for over 30 hours. The loss of life was placed at 28. Built with a Wittaker side propeller propulsion system which was deemed unsatisfactory and was removed after a year and replaced with the standard sidewheel. ***** From the Manitowoc News: The Sidewheel Steamer "Sunbeam" by Capt. Edward Carus The first Goodrich steamer ever built in Manitowoc way back in 1861 had an existence of less than two years. The side wheeler "Sunbeam" foundered in Lake Superior in 1863, carrying down a crew of twenty and eight passengers. The wheelsman was the lone survivor of the disaster. The Sunbeam, which was of 450 tons burden was built in the first year of the Civil war, at the W. Bates and Sons shipyard here, which was located on the present site of the Oriental Mills, on the south side of the river, east of Ninth street. When the Sunbeam came out she had screw wheels on the side, which worked independently of each other and when launched was christened the "Victory" but as her machinery and screw wheels were an experiment and proved a failure she only ran a few months before being taken to Chicago. The machinery and wheels were then replaced with a beam engine and regular paddle wheels, and her name was changed to "Sunbeam." The change made her a fast and popular boat with the traveling public. In 1862 the Sunbeam was taken to Lake Superior and ran on the south shore route in command of Capt. McDougall and foundered on August 28, 1864, twenty-four miles west of Copper Harbor, carrying down 20 of a crew and eight passengers; only one man, John Frazer the wheelsman, was saved. The Sunbeam left Superior August 26 and stopped at Bayfield and Ontonagon. When she left Ontonagon the wind was fresh from the north and when several hours out she encountered a gale from the northeast. She rode out the storm until the next morning when she lost steerage way and all hopes of making Copper Harbor failed. There were no harbors on the shore that could be made in such a storm. The nearest shelter was the Apostle Islands 125 miles distant. The seas ran so high that the steamer Michigan less than two miles away could be seen only occasionally. Captain McDougall decided to turn around and run before the gale and make Apostle Island for shelter. In turning around she fell into the trough of the sea and all efforts to get her out failed. They ran up the jib but this also did no good. She remained there and rolled to pieces and sank. When lying over on her side Frazer broke the upper pilot house window and made his way out. The captain had told Frazer to stick to the wheel and do what he could to right her. Frazer saw no hopes and got into a lifeboat that had only standing room. Just then a woman begged to be taken in the boat. Frazer said he would make room for her so he jumped into the lake and swam to a portion of the hurricane deck. The self-sacrificing wheelsman lashed himself to the wreckage with a signal halyards of the flagstaff, floating near. When Frazer left the wreck the upper deck had been swept off and she went down bow first. He saw all the life boats capsize. Two men clung to the bottom of the one but soon let go and disappeared. The sailor was on the raft from 8 o'clock Friday until 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon, and floated ashore where the rocks rose in almost perpendicular cliff. The waves dashed his raft to pieces against the rocks, cutting his forehead and bruising his legs and body. He fell back into the water, but the next wave dashed him onto a shelving rock and he crawled into a small cavern, where he remained all night until the wind subsided and the sea went down. Weak and benumbed from the cold he crawled up on the shore. He was about 35 miles west of Eagle River, and remained on the shore till Monday afternoon when he signaled a small boat coasting along the shore from Ontonagon and was rescued. Frazer was the only survivor. And thus ended the life of another Manitowoc built ship. (Note: Cap't Edward Carus died in 1947 and is buried in Evergreen #44. Also these two accounts give conflicting information.)
TALLAHASSEE Other names: also seen as TALLAHASSA Official #: 145249 Type at loss: schooner, wood Build info: 1881, L. Larsen, Manitowoc, Wis. Specs: 83g 79n Date of loss: 1884, Oct 26 Place of loss: near Jacksonport, WI Lake: Michigan Type of loss: storm Loss of life: Carrying: none Detail: Went ashore and became a total loss. Owned by Lars Larsen, Manitowoc. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI
TENNIE & LAURA Other names: none Official no.: 145115 Type at loss: schooner or scow-schooner, wood Build info: 1876, G. Jorgenson, Manitowoc, WI Specs: 73x19x5, 57g 54n Date of loss: 1903, Aug 8 Place of loss: on route between Muskegon and Milwaukee Lake: Michigan Type of loss: storm Loss of life: 1 of 2 Carrying: lumber Detail: She capsized and foundered 10 mi off Milwaukee. The survivor was picked up by the steamer MARK COVELL. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI
J.O. THAYER Other names: later MIKE CORRY Official no.: 75730 Type at loss: schooner, wood Build info: 1874, Two Rivers, WI Specs: 154x29x11, 380g 361n Date of loss: 1881, Nov 18 Place of loss: near Sheboygan, WI Lake: Michigan Type of loss: storm Loss of life: none of 8 Carrying: coal Detail: She stranded on sandy bar with heavy damage and was abandoned as a total loss after many salvage attempts. However, she was recovered the following year and rebuilt as MIKE CORRY in 1883. CORRY may have been lost in Georgian Bay in 1916 [Jul 16] or 1919. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI
ANNA THORINE The schooner Anna Thorine was launched Monday, April 23, 1855, by E. Sorenson, builder for Hans Chios and John Anderson, owners, John Anderson to be her commander in the lumber trade. From "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" by Dr. L. Falge 1911 vol. 1
TOLEDO Marine Disasters on the Western Lakes during 1868 By Capt. J. W Hall, Marine Reporter, Detroit Dec. - Schooner Toledo, damaged by running against Milwaukee Pier. ***** Marine Disasters on the Western Lakes during 1860 By Capt. J. W Hall, Marine Reporter, Detroit Aug - Schooner Toledo, damaged by collision with a bridge at Milwaukee. ***** Marine casualties of 1871 April - Schooner Toledo, sprung foremast and split mainsail in Lake Michigan. May - Schooner Toledo, damaged severely by collision at Milwaukee. Aug - Schooner C. C. Griswold, small boat smashed by propeller Toledo at Detroit. Sept - Propeller Chicago, lost topmast and schooner Toledo deck-load lumber on Lake Michigan. ***** Disasters to Shipping on the Lakes in 1872 June - The Schooner American Eagle and Schooner TOLEDO collided and both damaged at Milwaukee. Feb 8 - schooner TOLEDO wrecked in Milwaukee Bay Detroit Free Press, Michigan, 13 Dec., 1872 ***** Marine Casualties of 1873 Jun 1873 - Propeller Toledo got on the rocks at Graham Shoals and was pulled off. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, 9 Dec, 1873
TRANSIT Oct - Schooner Vermont, in a storm struck Milwaukee pier, and Schooner Driver collided with Schooner TRANSIT same time, losing jibboom. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, 17 Dec., 1872 ***** Marine Casualties of 1873 Aug 1873 - The steamer Bob Hackett, while lying at the dock in Windsor, was run into by the railway steamer Transit and damaged $3,000. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, 9 Dec, 1873 ***** (1857) The opening of navigation March 27th was marked by the arrival of the steamer Huron, Captain Goodrich proceeding to Two Rivers. Of the home fleet the GESENE and CLIPPER CITY were still ice bound. The COLONEL GLOVER and TRANSIT, while free of ice, had not been commissioned. From "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" by Dr. L. Falge 1911 vol. 1 ***** A storm in November, 1857, was disastrous to shipping on the lakes. Of the Manitowoc fleet the COLONEL GLOVER and the CLIPPER CITY went ashore. The A. BAENSCH struck the old wreck in the Chicago river and was sunk. The TRANSIT, BELLE, WILLIAM TELL, JANE LOUISA, and GERTRUDE were all safe in port. From "History of Manitowoc County Wisconsin" by Dr. L. Falge 1911 vol. 1 ***** CAPT. JOHN D. LARSON, born in Norway, April 29, 1843; came to America with his parents in 1845, landed in Milwaukee August 26, of that year, and removed immediately to Manitowoc, on a farm, where his parents have since died. At 13 years of age John D. Larson commenced sailing the lakes as boy (sic) in his brother's vessel, and has followed the water ever since. His first command was the schooner "ERIE," which he sailed in 1861, being then but 18 years of age. The vessel being sold shortly after Captain Larson assumed command, he became master of the "TRANSIT," and has been constantly in command of vessels every season since. In 1873 he commanded a steam barge, trading to all Lake Michigan ports, and in 1877 became master of the propeller "CITY OF MADISON," of which he was in command at the time she was burned. This accident happened about sixty-five miles northeast of Chicago at 3 o'clock A.M., and was owing to the incompetency of the engineer placed in charge by her owner. Captain Larson married, May 10, 1873, Cornelia, daughter of Captain Moody, an old sea captain of Buffalo, New York, where Mrs. Larson was born September 1, 1848. Her parents are still residing in this city, to which they removed in 1855; her brother, Charles E., being in command of the Milwaukee Tug Company's wrecking-tug "WELCOME." Captain and Mrs. Larson have two children--Mabel C., born March 14, 1874, and Charles B., born July 29, 1875. Their present residence is in the Old Moody home, corner of Lapham street and Fifth avenue. Source:History of Milwaukee County, 1881
TRIAL Marine casualties of 1871 April - Schooner Trial, damaged by collision with propeller Susquehanna at same port.
TUBAL CAIN Registry Number: 24162 Builder: J. M. Jones Year Built: 1866 Location Built: Detroit, MI Owners: Byron Whittaker of Detroit Home Port: Detroit, MI Vessel Type: canal barque Cargo Description: 18,000 bushels of wheat. Length: 137.00 Beam: 26.00 Depth of Hold: 9.50 Hull Material: wood Gross Tonnage: 294.83 Propulsion Type: sail Number of Masts: 3 Rig Type: bark Vessel Location—— Body of Water: Lake Michigan County: Manitowoc Nearest City: Two Rivers Latitude: N 44° 09.361' Longitude: W 087° 32.530' Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI ______________________________ Casualties on the Lakes the Past Season. August 1866 - Bark Tubal Cain, cargo ore, sprung a leak on Lake Superior; repaired. The bark Tubal Cain was commissioned in 1866 at Detroit, by J M Jones, burthen 400 tons. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, December 19, 1866 ***** MARINE DISASTERS OF 1867 May - Bark Tubal Cain collided with bark Lafrinier, at Chicago. Cabin and headgear of former damaged, latter slight. June - Bark Tubal Cain, struck by lightning and damaged in outfit. Nov. - Bark Tubal Cain, lost small anchor and chain, in Saginaw Bay. Nov. - Bark Tubal Cain, cargo grain, ashore and total loss at Two Rivers. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, December 20, 1867 ***** LUANCH.—The Detroit Free Press says that Messrs. Jones & Co. successfully launched the bark Tubal Cain on Saturday afternoon. At the time announced the vessel glided off smoothly and gracefully from the stocks. The tug Swan was on hand to bring her back to the dock, and took her in tow after she had floated some short distance down the stream. A large crowd had collected to witness the operation of launching, and cheer after cheer rent the air as the new boat rushed into the river. The Tubal Cain is 140 feet over all, with 26 feet 3 inches beam, and has a depth of 10 feet 6 inches. She is a vessel of 340 tons burthen, and is owned by Dibble & Co. She is full rigged and completed, and is ready to start on Tuesday. The Cleveland Leader, Ohio, Tuesday, May 22, 1866 pg. 4 ***** PORT OF CHICAGO. ARRIVED........Nov. 20. Bark Tubal Cain, Saginaw, 265 m lumber, 45 m lath. Chicago Evening Post, Illinois, Wednesday, November 20, 1867 pg. 4 ***** VESSEL WRECKED. The Barque Tubal Cain with 18,000 Bushels of Wheat a Total Loss. On Sunday morning last, at about 4 o'clock, the Barque Tubal Cain with 18,000 bushels of wheat from Milwaukee, struck the beach about two miles north of Two Rivers. The wind at the time was from the S.S.E., and blowing very hard, with rain and a dense fog. The vessel at the time was under good headway, making about eight miles an hour, and went hard on. The Captain's intentions were to keep nearer the west shore than the east, because he expected a Nor-wester, but he was not quite far enough east to clear the Two River point. The moment the vessel struck, the sea commenced going clear over her and the crew were in eminent danger, but they kept their hold until daylight when they escaped in a small boat. In the evening of Sunday the sea went down so that the Captain went aboard and secured some of the sails—about $200 worth. At the time there was only about five feet of water in the hold, but in the evening there came on a gale from the North East which soon rendered it certain that the craft and her valuable cargo would be a total loss. On Monday the cabin was washed away and she settled till she was eight-feet under water amidships. It is thought that her anchors and rigging may be save, and that is about all. She was valued at $20,000, being only two year sold, and was insured, as we are informed, for $16,000. $8,000 in the Home and 8,000 in the Security. the wheat was shipped by Jones of Milwaukee and consigned to Second National Bank of Oswego. We do not know whether it was insured or not, it probably was. The Manitowoc Tribune, Wis., Thursday, November 28, 1867 pg. 4 ***** WRECK PURCHASED.—The Manitowoc Pilot states that Jonas Richards, Esq., of that place, has purchased the bark Tubal Cain, which lies sunk, near the shore, two miles north of Two Rivers, for $800. Chicago Tribune, Illinois, Tuesday, December 10, 1867 pg. 3
TWO CHARLIES Casualties on the Lakes the Past Season. March 1866 - Schooner Two Charlies, damaged by fire at Manitowoc; $1,000, repaired. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, December 19, 1866 ***** Marine casualties of 1871 April - Steamer Alpena and schooner Two Charlies collided in Lake Michigan; former started leaking. April - Schooner Two Charlies, lost outfit and hull damaged in same collision. ***** Disasters to Shipping on the Lakes in 1872 March - Schooner Two Charlies, ashore near Waukegan, got off. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, 13 Dec., 1872 ***** 1872 April 11, schooner TWO CHARLIES wrecked in Milwaukee harbor; near Straight Cut. Source: History of Milwaukee County 1881 ***** CAPTAINS of the Two Charlies: Captain Minski
UNION Other names: none Official no.: 25048 Type at loss: propeller, wood, bulk freight Build info: 1861, S. Bates, Manitowoc, WI Specs: 163x26x12, 553g 434n Date of loss: 1873, Sep 25 Place of loss: Au Sable Point Lake: Superior Type of loss: storm Loss of life: none Carrying: iron ore Detail: Blown into shallows near point by westerly gale. Later pounded to pieces. Out of Green Bay. Engine recovered in 1874, boiler recovered in 1875. At the time of her loss there were 16 lakes vessels with this name, causing some confusion. Most of her machinery, as well as her first skipper, came from the Goodrich steamer OGONTZ. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI ______________________________ Marine casualties of 1871 May - Propeller Union, aground three days on Saginaw bar; lightered. Oct - Propeller Union, threw over deck load of flour in Saginaw Bay. ***** Disasters to Shipping on the Lakes in 1872 June - Prop Union ashore on Strawberry Reef, Green Bay, lightered off. June - Prop Union, second disaster, ashore on Laughing Whitefish Reef, Lake Superior, and with her the schooner Cascade, which she had in tow. Lightered off. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, 13 Dec., 1872 ***** Marine Casualties of 1873 Jun 1873 - Propeller Union got on Grayton Shoals in the Straits and got off. Sep 1873 - Propeller Union got ashore at Au Sable Point, Lake Superior; cargo supplies; a total loss; valuation $23,000; insurance $17,000. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, 9 Dec, 1873
UNITED STATES Other names: rebuilt to bulk freighter BATISCAN Official no.: 206330 Type at loss: propeller, steel, passenger & package freight Build info: 1909, Manitowoc Ship Building & Dry Dock, Manitowoc, WI Specs: 193x41x16, 1374g 811n Date of loss: 1927, Jun 6 Place of loss: Sarnia, Ont. Lake: St Clair R Type of loss: fire Loss of life: none Carrying: none Detail: Burned to a shell at her dock. Salvaged by Reid Towing and Wrecking and rebuilt as shown below. Built as excursion steamer, then a large yacht, then this vessel. Sold Canadian as a hulk and rebuilt as the odd-looking engine-forward bulk freighter BATISCAN [C#154467], which served until scrapped in 1944 or 5. BATISCAN came out in 1930. Loss date also given as Dec 8, '27 and Mar 5, '28. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI
DAVID VANCE Other names: none Official no.: 6855 Type at loss: schooner, wood, 3-mast Build info: 1874, J. Butler, Manitowoc, Wis Specs: 207x34x14, 775g 736n Date of loss: 1893, Jul 20 Place of loss: SW of Pt Pelee Lake: Erie Type of loss: collision Loss of life: none Carrying: coal Detail: In tow of the steamer SAMOA, she collided with the towed barge LIZZIE A. LAW (qv), and both sank. The captain, his wife and three young daughters, as well as the crew all escaped in the VANCE's lifeboat and were picked up by SAMOA. Owned by McKenzie & Co, Buffalo. Also sunk near Amherstburg, Ont., in 1886. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI ______________________________ CAPTAIN LOUIS R. VANCE Master and part owner of the schooner "DAVID VANCE," is a native of New York, born at Sackett's Harbor, May 12, 1845 and in 1855, came to Milwaukee with his parents, now deceased. At 13 years of age, he shipped as boy on the lakes; in 1861, he entered the United States navy, at New York, as seaman, on the "JACKSON"; was with Farragut at the taking of New Orleans; was promoted to acting ensign, and subsequently commanded the United States steamers "SELMA" and "MORGAN." Captain Vance was with the "PHILLIPPI," in the United States fleet passing the forts at Mobile, when she received a shot in her boilers, and becoming unmanageable, drifted ashore under the rebel batteries, the officers and crew making their escape in the boats. In this engagement, Captain Vance was severely wounded in the thigh, by a fragment of shell. Resigning his command in the United States navy in 1865, the captain became master of the steamer "BALTIC," and that and the following season was engaged in the bay trade at New Orleans. In the Fall of 1866, he returned to Milwaukee, and has had command on the lakes ever since, assuming charge of his present vessel in 1873, after building and fitting her for service. Captain Vance was married, in the Fall of 1873, to Miss Clara E. Dickenson, of this city, and their only child, Mary B., is now five years of age. Source: History of Milwaukee County, 1881
VERNON Photo of STEAMER VERNON and recovered wheel Other names: none Official no.: 161557 Type at loss: propeller, wood, passenger & package freight Build info: 1886, J.P. Smith, Chicago Specs: 158x25x18, 560 t. Date of loss: 1887, Oct 25 Place of loss: 6 mi NE of Two Rivers Point Lake: Michigan Type of loss: storm Loss of life: 36-41 with only one survivor Carrying: gen freight Detail: She foundered in a gale. The sole survivor was picked up on a small raft 2 days later. Most casualties died of exposure. Bound Mackinac Isl. & upper L. Mich ports for Chicago. Most contemporary reports of the number of casualties say about 50 were lost, but later reports revised the number downward. She had stopped at many small ports in Michigan on her way to Chicago from Cheboygan, Mich., so many of those who had embarked at those points were unknown. There were accusations at the time that she was overloaded, causing her cargo doors to be left open. These were confirmed in 1969 when the vessel was found. When she came out, marine men said she was unstable, because of her narrow beam and high upperworks. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI ______________________________ Lost 50 Years Ago Today THE ILL-FATED STEAMER VERNON FIFTY YEARS AGO TODAY—October 29, 1887—the passenger steamer Vernon was lost off Two Rivers in a violent gale. There was only one survivor among the officers and crew, totaling 37. According to records of Captain Edward Carus of this city, the Vernon was a comparatively new boat when lost, having been built only the year prior to the disaster. Capt. George Thorp was the master and Charles Cascow, chief engineer. The Vernon was built and owned by the A. Booth Fish Co. of Chicago, and was chartered by the Northern Michigan Line which had the misfortune to lose one of its boats, the Steamer Champlain by fire in June of the same year, with a loss of 22 lives near Charlevoix, Mich. The Vernon was only one year old when lost. When she made her appearance on the lakes she was considered a freak among marine men. In building her all the well founded principles of shipbuilding were ignored. She had a very lean and narrow hull, too much shear, high upper works, and for her length she lacked eight feet of beam, excepting her hull which was of oak planking. She was built entirely of Georgia pine. The Vernon was built in Chicago in 1886. Her dimensions were length 160 feet, breadth 25 feet, depth 18 feet, tonnage 560. Her route was from Chicago to Mackinac Island and intermediate east shore ports. On October 25 a few days before the disaster the Vernon was tied up at the dock at St. Ignace, Mich., waiting weather. The Steamer Joseph L. Hurd, Capt. John M. Twitchell in command, and Capt. Ed. Carus as first officer also sought shelter at the same dock. The weather having moderated during the night the Vernon and Hurd left St. Ignace together at 3 a.m. October 26 and kept company to the Beaver Islands where the Vernon called at St. James harbor for passengers and freight, the Hurd headed for the west shore and arrived in Chicago the morning of the disaster. Lone Man on Raft The first intimation of the disaster came from Capt. Moran of the Steamer Superior who arrived at Milwaukee at 8 p.m., Saturday, October 29, and reported that at 9 a.m., when six miles off Two Rivers he passed a raft with a man on it, also a life boat with three men and one woman on it. They were signaling for help. Then another raft with a man on it was met. Capt. Moran said "it was heartrending in the extreme to pass those shipwrecked people, how inhuman they must have thought us when we passed them by. We also were fighting for our own lives, our steamer having become disabled in the heavy sea, our tiller had broken out from the rudder post, and we were unable to steer. Our entire crew of 18 men, even the engineer, were down below making repairs. It took them five hours to rig up a temporary tackle and with this we managed to keep our vessel out of the trough of the seas, until we reached Milwaukee. Pases Through Wreckage The schooner Joseph Page, Capt. Williams also arrived at Milwaukee and reported having passed through wreckage and saw a pilot house with a man on it but could not help him. Half of the schooner's sails were blown away and it would have been suicide to have changed the vessel's course. The first positive evidence that the wreckage was from the Vernon was when the Two Rivers fish tug Maggie Lutz brought in some wreckage and life preservers marked "Vernon". Three other fish tugs, the Edith, Commodore Nutt, and Albatross, went out Monday, October 31 to lift their nets and brought in 19 bodies, 17 men and two women. All were fully dressed and had life preservers on indicating the Vernon broke up gradually. The two women were sisters named Gallagher of St. James, Beaver Island. Another sister, Mrs. Green, was with them but her body was not recovered. Nineteen bodies were laid out in the fire station at Two Rivers. Ten were ident-ified by relatives and friends. After the inquest held by Justice Walsh, nine of the bodies were photographed and interred in the cemetery at Two Rivers. Two bodies were picked up and brought to Manitowoc by the Tug George Pankratz. A total of 36 lives were lost of which 23 bodies were recovered. On November 1 the schooner S.B. Pomeroy, Capt. Comstock, arrived at Sturgeon Bay from Chicago and the captain reported that he picked up one body and the sole survivor of the Vernon floating on a raft six miles northeast of Sheboygan. He was a fireman on the Vernon named Alfred Stone, and came here from Sweden less than a year before. The fifty hours of intense suffering on the raft weakened his mind so that he was unable to give a correct account of the disaster. He told some rambling and impossible stories, his mind grew worse and in aobut two months he died without giving a coherent account of the loss. Manitowoc Herald Times, Wis., Friday, October 29, 1937 pg. 9 ***** FOURTEEN YEARS AGO. Today, the Anniversary of the Terrible Vernon Disaster at Two Rivers. ONE SURVIVOR—LAKE TRAGEDY Terrific Gale Swept Lake Michigan and Vessel Lost With All on Board-Story of the Fateful Night. TWO RIVERS, Oct. 30.—As the cold October blasts again their fury spend and lash the waves of Lake Michigan into a roaring, maddening fray, that tempestouous night of fourteen years ago is again brought to mind and with it that same story is again told of the "ship that never returned." Fourteen years ago last night, on October 29, 1887, the large passenger steamer Vernon went down on Lake Michigan with all, save a single soul. The steamer carried a crew of twenty-five and had about the same number of passengers. How the terrible disaster occurred will never be known and the slightest presumption can only be had from a tale told by the sole survivor, Alfred Stone, a Swede, who was picked up three day later. The storm which swept Lake Michigan on that fateful night was the most severe in years and few vessels were able to weather it. The Vernon, which was owned by the Northern Michigan Transportation company, was a staunch boat, and in command of Captian Gene Thorpe, of Prescott, Canada, operated between Chicago and the east shore of Lake Michigan as far north as the Manitou Islands, the most northern destination being St. James, Beaver Island. The steamer left St. James on the morning of October, 27, 1887, stopped at Charlevoix for passengers and freight and it was after leaving that port that the storm broke. The fearul battle with wind and waves was terminated when the Vernon reached Two Rivers Point. There, caught in the trough of the sea, and probably disabled by machinery having given out, the steamer went down and with her perished crew and passsengers with one excception. Stone, the survivor of the disaster, was picked up by the schooner Pomeroy early on the morning of November 2nd and was in an unconscious state from the terrible sufferings and exposure he had endured. Landed at Sturgeon Bay and under the care of a physician, he was revived and was able to tell the only details of the wreck that will ever be known. Sleeping in his state room he was aroused by a loud noise and the hurring about of the passengers and crew on the deck with the cries of "the boat is going down." Seizing a pair of life preservers he raised the window in his stateroom and leaped through into the icy waters, directing his efforts to a life raft, which he was able to see some twenty yards distant. He was assisted aboard and, with eight others, saw the Vernon go down. The cries of drowning men and women on all sides mingled with the roaring waves was the scene that witnessed the last of the ill-fated steamer. Stone and his companions were the only successful ones to escape immediate death, a life boat, which had been launched going down before their very eyes with its occupants. The experience of those aboard the life raft was a terrible one; huge waves, one after anaother broke over the raft chilling to the bone those who clung to it. One by one they succumbed to the cold and, unable longer to sustain a hold, were washed overboard and drowned, until Stone alone remained. For two days, he endured the terrible suffering buoyed up by the hope of rescue, and on the afternoon of the second sighted a barge, which he frantically hailed with his coat as the means of signalling, but the effort was futile; the boat passed within a quarter of a mile with no indication that he had been seen. Discouraged and with hope gone he lapsed into unconsciousness and it was thus he was found by the Pomeroy a few hours later. The memory of excitement that prevailed the succeeding days of the disater at Two Rivers will long remain. Twenty bodies were recovered by the fishing tugs of the port and the city engine house was turned into a morgue, while every effort was made to find the relatives of the unfortunate victims. A careful inquest was held over each and money and valuables found upon the bodies was promptly turned over to the sorrowing friends. Seven of the bodies remained unclaimed and were buried in the cemetery here. Seven plain wooden slabs still mark the graves "Unknown" of those whose identity could not be learned. Kind hands have from time to time placed flowers upon the mounds covering those who lie buried and for whose return, perhaps, loving ones are waiting far away, little knowing that they lie in unknown graves in the Wisconsin city. For years, and at frequent intervals, pieces of wreckage have been brought in by the fishermen, picked up about five miles out, and it is supposed that it was here that the loss of the steamer occurred. What the cause of the sinking of the Vernon was will never be learned; like the Chicora and Alpena the disappearance is the same with the exception of one survivor of the Vernon, all were drowned. Those, who could perhaps tell the story lie buried beneath the waters of Lake Michigan and she keeps her secret well. Gus C. Kirst. Manitowoc Daily Hearld, Wis., Wednesday, October 30, 1901 P. 1
VICTOR Disasters to Shipping on the Lakes in 1872 June - Stmr Clara, run foul of by Schooner VICTOR, Detroit River, damaging cabin and hull $200. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, 13 Dec., 1872
JO VILAS Other names: none Official no.: 12767 Type at loss: schooner, wood, 2-mast, lumber Build info: 1857, Rand & Harbridge, Manitowoc, WI* Specs: 107x26x9, 149 gt Date of loss: 1876, Oct 9 Place of loss: midlake abreast of Kenosha in 400 ft of water Lake: Michigan Type of loss: storm/hull failure Loss of life: none Carrying: lumber Detail: Waterlogged, capsized and sank in a gale. Crew abandoned to a makeshift raft and drifted in the storm for 6 hours until picked up by the passing schooner ANDREW JACKSON. The JACKSON had to round to in a gale [a very risky maneuver] five times before she was able to pick up all of the men. *Hull launched at Two Rivers, vessel completed at Manitowoc Owned by G. Wiegland of Chicago Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI ______________________________ Marine Disasters on the Western Lakes during 1869 By Capt. J. W Hall, Marine Reporter, Detroit May - Schooner Joe Vilas, lost jib-boom and bowsprit by collision with scow Maple Leaf, at Chicago. May - Schooner Joe Vilas, cargo lumber; sprung a leak on Lake Michigan. Oct - Schooner Joe Vilas, damaged by collision with bark City of the Straits on Lake Michigan. ***** LAUNCH. —The schooner J. Vilas was launched on Saturday last at Two Rivers, and towed to this place to receive her spars and rigging, on Sunday morning, by the steamer Cleveland. She was built by Rand & Harbridge, and is now owned entirely by Messrs. Rand & Sons of this village. She is named after one of our leading merchants, and is a credit to her names sake, the builders, and the county from which she came. The following are her dimensions: Length on deck 107 feet, breadth 26 feet, and depth 9 feet, with a measurement of nearly 225 tons. She is airy and graceful in appearance, making her look much smaller. Capt. Albrecht, a good sailor and a worthy man, is to have command of her. — (Manitowoc Tribune.) Detroit Daily Advertiser, Sat, 12 Sep, 1857 ***** MARINE DISASTERS OF 1867 August - Schr Joe Vilas, run foul of a bridge at Chicago and damaged $500. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, December 20, 1867 ***** Disasters to Shipping on the Lakes in 1872 Sep - Schooner Joe Vilas, her mainmast shattered and Schooner Peerless, outfit damaged. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, Sat., 14 Dec, 1872
W.L. WETMORE Other names : none Official no.: 80196 Type at loss: propeller, wood, bulk freight Build info : 1871, Quayle & Martin, Cleveland Specs: 214x33x13, 820g 700n Date of loss: 1901, Nov 29 Place of loss: Russel Isl, near Tobermory, Ont. Lake: Huron Type of loss: storm Loss of life : none Carrying: lumber, barges Detail: Towing the barges J. C. KING(qv) and BRUNETTE, she was tossed into the shallows. At first thought to be salvagable, she was later pounded to pieces by waves. The crew straggled to shore or were rescued by the fish tug GLUCUS. Member of Boland fleet, of Buffalo. Master: Capt. John O’Hagan. Wreck is a well-known dive target. Burned and declared total loss on L. Erie, Jun 3, 1890. Stranded at Manitowoc, WI Nov 12, 1894 Source: greatlakesrex.wordpress.com ______________________________ TWO RIVERS LIFE-SAVING CREW COVER THEMSELVES WITH GLORY The Brave Rescue of Thirteen Men From the Steamer Wetmore in Yesterday's Terrific Gale About ten o'clock yesterday morning, Capt. Dionne of the Two Rivers Life Saving Station was notified by a telephone message from the Goodrich people that the steamer, W.L. Wetmore was in distress on the reef off Centerville and an offer was made to send their tug the Arctic here to tow the life boat to the place where the Wetmore lay to take off the unfortunate crew. Capt. Dionne replied that he hardly thought that the Arctic could make the harbor at this place as the sea was so wild, but that he would try to get his surf boat and beach apparatus to Centerville by land conveyance. He asked of the railroad agent here to send in a request for an engine and flat car which request was promptly granted and a few minutes after noon the crew accompanied by about twenty-five Two Rivers people started for the scene of danger. The train arrived at Centerville in about half an hour after leaving here and in a short time the crew had their surf boat launched from the beach, which was about a mile from the Centerville depot. The Wetmore lay about a mile from the shore and about three miles north of where the crew launched their surf boat. It took brave hearts and stout arms to battle with the mad waves that contested their progress towards the unfortunate vessel, but, little by little, the distance was reduced until the vessel had reached and then a difficulty arose in getting the crew of the steamer into the surf boat, but by taking advantage of the short intervals of calm between the rushing of the great waves, one man at a time was got into the surf boat. When seven men were safely in the boat they were taken ashore and the Life Saving Crew returned for the six who remained. At 4 o'clock the thirteen men who constituted the crew of the Wetmore were all safely landed and the crowd on the shore who had witnessed their rescue gave long a lusty cheers for the brave Two Rivers Life-Saving Crew who had so nobly accomplished it. The gratitude of the rescued sailors was unbounded and the captain wished to make Capt. Dionne some substantial return for the noble deed but Capt. Dionne refused to accept anything for doing what he deemed his plain duty. The Sheboygan Life Saving Crew started to the rescue of the exposed sailors and were first to reach the stranded steamer but as they went out in their large self-bailing life boat instead of their surf boat, they were swept past the steamer by the wind and the waves and could not hold their ground with their anchor. Capt. Niquette of the Sheboygan Station was about to return to Sheboygan by rail to secure his surf boat when the Two Rivers crew arrived and he and his crew watched with the others present their splendid work, which was heartily commended by any one present. Manitowoc County Chronicle - Tues., Nov. 13, 1894 ****** Laurels yesterday on the work of the Two Rivers crew in saving the crew of the barge Wetmore from the wreck of their vessel near Manitowoc. The situation of the vessel was a very dangerous one and it was also a work of extreme danger to rescue the crew from their perilous position that it was accomplished without the loss of life is much to the credit of the life-savers of Two Rivers, a crew which ranks high in service and who is never called on in vain for service in an emergency -- Milwaukee Journal The Sheboygan paper says: "There is another crew that played an important role in the wreck of the Wetmore. This crew was notified of the wreck and immediately, despite the terrific sea running, set sail for the scene. They got there too and did good work. The crew was that of Sheboygan. "The Two Rivers crew was entitled to the greatest of praise for the work that they did at the wreck but their conduct afterwards is both a disgrace to themselves and the service. They completely ignored the local crew and even carried their actions to insult. They seemed to have forgotten that Niquette and his men had battled with the storm waves of Lake Michigan for nineteen miles and had struggled for two hours within 300 feet of the Wetmore trying to reach here, while they were conducted to the scene by railroad and team, arriving there perfectly fresh. None welcomed their arrival more gladly than the brave Sheboygan boys who were well nigh exhausted, but who, in spite of their fatigue, waded to their necks in the ice cold water and launched the boat of the Two Rivers crew for a trip, that as a crew, they had not undertaken for years. When the crew returned from the wreck with its first load, the lads from Sheboygan welcomed it with outstretched arms, while the cutting waves of Michigan Lake curled around their necks and stung their hardy cheeks. Again the boat was launched and again our boys aided it. Again it returned and our boys were there as before. "The work done, the Two Rivers crew with their dry feet and slightly wet clothing, got into their wagon and drove to Centerville, leaving the crew who had toiled all day, rowed nineteen miles, waded in water to their necks and aided them in their rescue to walk to Centerville without so much as a "Thank you". All Centerville rang that night with cheers for the Two Rivers boys while the brave laddies who had faced the real danger, worked the hardest, in a place where duty did not call them, where ignominiously ignored. And to add to the insult a dispatch was sent to Two Rivers from Centerville asking if the Sheboygan crew had arrived at Two Rivers yet?" This seems to us to be entirely uncalled for and as a large bundle of unmitigated falsehoods as could well be crowded into the same newspaper space. In the first place, when Capt. Dionne received notice of the misfortune of the Wetmore, he also received notice that the tug Arctic would await him at the harbor piers to take him and his life boat to the wreck. The waves were so high that the tug Arctic could not enter our harbor, nor could 50 men pull the life boat through the breakers, it was simply a matter of judgement on Capt. Dionne's part and he says he replied, "I will take my surf boat and go by rail and team" which he did. Capt. Niquette, a former citizen of our city and Caption of the Sheboygan crew, also knew of the wreck and started for it. Instead of having to head into the seas, he started out with the wind at his back and reached it, according to his own statement in less than two hours. The distance sailed by the Sheboygan crew was 19 miles according to the Sheboygander. We doubt not of Capt. Niquette could have held his anchorage he would have succeeded in removing at least a portion of the crew from the Wetmore, but the stone bottom not allowing the anchorage of his boat he had to drift ashore. It is probably true that Capt. Niquette and his crew shipped some seas and were pretty wet but when the Two Rivers crew arrived at Centerville and launched their boat there was not a Sheboygan Life saver within 3 miles of them. The Two Rivers crew went out with their surf boat and battled the elements. Their frail craft was rocked and tossed by the waves but by undaunted courage and by the cool management of Capt. Dionne, they reached the wreck and landed seven of the unfortunate sailors file miles below the place where they started in. On their arrival there was not a member of the Sheboygan Life-Saving crew present except Capt. Niquette - the rest were up amongst the farmers, looking for something to eat. The boat was launched a second time by Two Rivers fishermen that were present. There was not a "curing wave surrounding the neck", or any Sheboyganer during the first or second launch of the Two Rivers boat. Our brave boys with their hand torn and bleeding when offered to be relieved by others on the beach refused to give up their seats in the boat and made the desperate effort to return again. Tis true Capt. Niquette offered to haul the boat up the beach five miles and launch it again but judgement came to the front and he said "it is getting dark and beginning to snow but my men can make the wreck again". This probably was as perilous a trip as was ever made for a pull of 2 miles against the mad waves of Lake Michigan, the surf boat tossed and rolled as a match in the mad waters - at times, the boat was partly filled with water. Again, at time, the crew were thrown from their seats, but still they hung on and battled with the elements and in the space of about an hour and a half they returned with the remainder of the crew, which were welcomed on the shore not along by the Sheboygan crew but by 25 friends and fishermen from Two Rivers that had gone down in the train with them. The most scurrilous part this article is the falsity of it which says that "Capt. Dionne and his crew insulted and abused the Sheboygan crew", and where Capt. Dionne and his crew are accused of riding 8 miles and letting the Sheboygan crew walk. In the first place, the Two Rivers crew walked every step[ of the way back to the railroad station. The parties that rode were private individuals who went down from Two Rivers to see the rescue. In the second place, there was not a Sheboygan rescuer ever went near the water except when the boat was pulled in the last time. As to the untruthfulness referred to in the article from the "Sheboygander", we will refer to Mr. Hell, boiler manufacturer of Manitowoc or Mr. Gillen, harbor inspector of Two Rivers who were disinterested witnesses to the rescue.. The dispatch referred to was never sent to Two Rivers. Again as the crew not "getting their feet wet and their closes were merely damp", it seems to us that any reasonable person realizing that the crew had taken a surf boat and pulled five miles facing the waves that were sometimes mountains high, when the Sheboygan crew that had sailed before the wind, should be so terribly drenched, would laugh at the statement. Now we think the matter has gone pretty near far enough. If Capt. Niquette or any of this crew were sore-headed or coxcombic enough to dictate to any such article as that which was published in the "Sheboygnder", we thinks the life-saving service had better go to work and investigate it at once. If our Two Rivers men abused the Sheboygan men, the department should punish them for it, but we think we have ample testimony to show that there was not a man belonging to the Two Rivers life-saving crew who said one word against the Sheboygan crew. There is no doubt in our minds but that there might have been some over zealous boys or young fellows along that felt over joyous at the success of our crew, that might have made remarks which grated on the ears of the Sheboygan crew, but we see no reason why the brave-hearted, cool-headed, strong-minded, heroic set of men, should be abused in any such way, whether they be from Sheboygan or Two Rivers. Manitowoc County Chronicle - Tues., Nov. 20, 1894 ****** The tug, Cooper, went out to the stranded steamer Wetmore last Saturday and secured about 25 tons of coal which constituted the cargo of the Wetmore and which was being dumped into the lake with a view of lightening and releasing her. Manitowoc County Chronicle - Tues., Nov. 20, 1894
WHITE SWAN Other names: none Official no.: 222237 Type at loss: propeller, wood, bulk freight "rabbit" Build info: 1922, Burger Boat, Manitowoc, WI Specs: 81 ft, 99 t. Date of loss: 1956, Nov 30 Place of loss: Skillagallee Reef Lake: Michigan Type of loss: storm/fog Loss of life: none Carrying: hardwood logs Detail: She stranded on the reef, then slipped off and sank in deeper water a week later. Bound Lime Isl. for Petoskey. Her brand-new diesel engine was later salvaged. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI
GRACE WILLIAMS Other names: none Official no.: 85882 Type at loss: propeller, wood, bulk freight steambarge Build info: 1885, Manitowoc, WI Specs: 48x12x5, 47g 26n Date of loss: 1896, May 28 Place of loss: near N. Manitou Isl. Lake: Michigan Type of loss: storm Loss of life: none Carrying: ? Detail: She foundered in a strong NW gale. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI
WILLIS Other names: none Official no.: ? Type at loss: schooner, wood, 3-mast Build info: 1872, Peter Larson, Manitowoc Specs: 132x28x9, 245g Date of loss: 1872, Nov 11 Place of loss: 20 mi N of Lorain, OH Lake: Erie Type of loss: collision Loss of life: none Carrying: grain* Detail: Bound from Chicago, she was lost to a collision with the schooner ELIZABETH JONES. She is a Lake Erie dive target. *Some sources give iron ore as her cargo, but newspaper reports say grain and divers report there is no sign of ore on the ship. It's doubtful that she'd be carrying iron ore from Chicago. Owned by J. R. Slauson & Captain William Pugh of Racine Wisconsin Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI ______________________________ Nov - schooner Willis, cargo grain, sunk by collision with bark Elizabeth Jones, 16 miles east of Point au Pellee, a total loss. Detroit Free Press, Michigan, 17 Dec., 1872
CORNELIA WINDIATE Other names: none lso seen as CORNELIA B. WINDIATE Official no.: 12537 Type at loss: schooner, wood, 3-mast Build info: 1873, Thos. Windiate, Manitowoc, WI Specs: 136x26x12, 322 t. Date of loss: 1875, Dec 10 Place of loss: off Middle Isl. near Rogers City, MI Lake: Huron Type of loss: storm Loss of life: 9 [all] Carrying: wheat Detail: Bound Milwaukee for Buffalo, she became trapped in ice, cut and sunk. She was not reported as having passed the Straits and her spars were reported sticking out of the water near the Fox Islands, so she was thought for over 100 year to have been lost in Lake Michigan. She was discovered on the bottom of Lake Huron in 1987, in excellent condition. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI
S.A. WOOD Other names: none Official no.: 23765 Type at loss: schooner, wood, 3-mast Build info: 1868, H.B. Burger, Manitowoc, WI Specs: 150x28x9 314g 299n Date of loss: 1904, Nov 13 Place of loss: Milwaukee Lake: Michigan Type of loss: storm Loss of life: 1 Carrying: ? Detail: Dismasted by a storm and her skipper killed by a falling spar, WOOD straggled into port at Milwaukee, but was too badly damaged to repair. The hulk was towed to Chicago for conversion to a barge the next year, but destroyed by an arson fire Nov 1, 1906. Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI ______________________________ LAUNCH OF THE BARQUE S.A. WOOD. On Monday last we witnessed the finest launch we think we ever saw, and we have seen a great many. The calculation was to have the Barque ready for the water Saturday but owing to a storm it was put off until Monday; at 3 p.m. At that hour we were on hand. It snowed a little, but the weather was not very unpleasant. The effort to get her off just at the moment was not very vigorous, but she was not long delayed. The object seemed to be to make it a success when it was done, which proved to be the case. At the work "Ready, cut!" both axes descended at the same instant and the boat, with a motion scarcely perceptible at first, but gradually accelerating as it neared the water, moved over the ways. It is always a grand sight to see such a vast mass of matter slipping through space with the ease of the wind, and feel that it is all right. As the barque reached the water her colors showed the name of S.A. Wood at the mast-head, and we could not help thinking, a worthy vessel and a worthy name. On the water the vessel sits like a duck. On the stocks we could judge less of her than in the water. She is not very high, though just enough for practical purposes we should judge. Fore and aft she is well up but amidships she is what we should call low, though sailors say she has none too much sheer. In regard to her capacity it is thought she is as well calculated for speed and usefulness as any sail vessel on the lakes. As to this, time will soon tell as it is expected to have her ready to sail by the 15th inst. Her spars are all in position and her rigging is rapidly approaching completion. She has been built expressly for the grain trade and calculated to carry some 19,000 or 10,000 bushels of wheat. She has cost her owner a large sum of money—probably in the neighborhood of $30,000—but she is worth the cash and will probably earn it before very long. The dimensions of the craft are as follows: Length of keel 135 feet over all 140; Breadth of beam 28 feet; Depth of hold 10 feet. On deck she is well calculated for the lumber trade if she should ever engage in that business, having a rail some four and a half feet high, thus enabling her to carry an immense deck load. The Wood has been built by Mr. Henry Berger, who is winning a name among sailor men and others which would be a credit to any man, for his straightforward way of doing business, his industry, his accommodating disposition, and above all for his "know how" to build a vessel. He has had long experience and this makes perfect. He is always cool and always successful. The vessel as we have before stated, is to be sailed by Capt. Henry Edwards—not Joseph as stated by the Sentinel—who is in every way competent to manage the craft. We congratulate him on his position. We hope it will be a profitable arrangement both to him and the owner of the craft, Mr. Jonah Richards. The Manitowoc Tribune, Wis., Thursday, April 9, 1868 pg. 4 ***** The schooner S.A. Wood jettisoned thirty tons of iron-ore during the recent heavy weather on Lake Erie. The Manitowoc Tribune, Wis., Thursday, December 2, 1869 pg. 3 ***** Chicago Vesselman Killed. Milwaukee, Wis., Nov. 13.—Capt. Thomas Myers of Chicago, commander of the schooner S.A. Wood, was instantly killed early this morning by the falling of a mast on his boat. The body was taken to the morgue, where it is being held pending the arrival of relatives from Chicago. Capt. Myers is the father of James A. Myers, a vessel agent having an office in the Royal Insurance building in that city. The Wood reached Milwaukee Saturday night after an exceedingly rough voyage from Manitowoc. After the boat had been tied up at the dock it was found that the mainmast was cracked a few feet above the deck. Capt. Myers was directing the splicing of the timber when it suddenly tottered and fell. Capt. Myers was one of the oldest masters sailing the lakes, and in the past had been the owner of a number of sailing vessels. Chicago Tribune, Illinois, Monday, November 14, 1904 pg. 7 ***** SCHOONER CAPTAIN KILLED Storm at Milwaukee Harbor Entrance Does Great Damage. [By Publishers Press.] MILWAUKEE, Wis., Nov. 13.—Capt. Thomas Meyers was killed outright, serval of the crew were injured and the schooner S.A. Wood is almost worthless as a result of the wrecking of her masts by a high wind before daylight today at the harbor entrance. When they found that the captain was killed the crew lighted torches as signals for help. Within a few minutes the tug Hagerman and the life saving crew were on hand. The storm was one of the most severe of the season and a number of vessels slightly damaged were compelled to seek refuge here. The Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana · Monday, November 14, 1904 pg. 1
CITY OF WOODSTOCK Other names: built as schooner CITY OF WOODSTOCK renamed R. KANTERS before '83 Official no.: 125223 Type at loss: schooner, wood Build info: 1873, Christianson, Manitowoc Specs: 113x26x8 165g 156n Date of loss: 1896, May 29 Place of loss: 3 mi off Plum Island, entrance to Green Bay Lake: Michigan Type of loss: (storm) Loss of life: none Carrying: ? Detail: She went ashore on the S side of Pilot Island, later slipped off into deep water. Stripped and abandoned June 2. Rebuilt 1883 Sources: David D. Swayze, Lake Isabella, MI ***** Involved in a storm on Lake Michigan Manitowoc County Chronicle, Wis., Tuesday, October 19, 1880
MADISON SHIP BAPTIIZED WITH MILK Manitowoc — Another new car ferry, the Madison, was launched here on Wednesday, christened with milk because Wisconsin is essentially a dairy state and Madison is the name of its capital, the city for which the big boat was named. It was a fitting name for the big craft because "Madison" is truly typical and the big craft boasts as pretty lines as any that plies the Great Lakes. Miss Marion Dixon of Chicago, a daughter of George Dixon, a director of the Grand Trunk Railroad Company, was the sponsor and to her goes the honor for the first christening with milk. She performed her past of the ceremony gracefully and at the exact moment that the big boat started down the ways toward the water. The boat moved evenly, struck the water squarely, rolled and then righted itself, riding easily and proudly with the American flag and string of pennants floating in the breeze. The disturbance caused by entry of the big craft into the water made the large excursion boat, Christopher Columbus, pitch and toss violently for just a minute or two and then everything went back to normal and another maritime achievement had been recorded. Two Rivers Reporter, Wis., - Fri., Jan. 21, 1927
