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WABASH – See E. C. L.
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WABASH
Other names : none
Official no. : 26252
Type at loss : propeller, wood, passenger & package freight
Build info : 1863, Quayle & Martin, Cleveland
Specs : 933g 721n
Date of loss : 1870, Jun 5
Place of loss : NE of Port Huron
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : 1
Carrying : railroad iron, glassware, etc.
Detail : She collided in dark and fog with the steamer EMPIRE STATE and sank, a total loss, in about 9 minutes. Much of her gear and some cargo was taken off her in 1871, and her engine and more gear were salvaged in 1889, but hull was badly broken up by then. Owned by the Union Steamboat Co. Master: Capt. Pope.
Sources : mv,slh,lhl,nsp,hgl,mpl,eas
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WABASH
Other names : none
Official no. : 80402
Type at loss : schooner-barge , wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1873, Bailey Bros., Toledo as a schooner
Specs : 140x26x12, 315g 299n
Date of loss : 1883, Nov 16
Place of loss : below Pictured Rocks, near Munising, MI
Lake : Superior
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : coal
Detail : Upbound in tow of tug SAMSON with schrs C.G. KING and C.H. JOHNSON, she broke her towline and was forced into the shallows near Grand Portal Point by a blizzard-gale. She broke into 3 pieces and later pounded to matchwood. The crew made it to shore on a makeshift raft.Out of Cleveland. Master: Capt. Henderson.
She was built in only 3 months.
Sources : mv,polk,hgl,nsp,gwgl,ms,lss,net,mpl,es
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WABASH VALLEY
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : propeller, wood, passenger & package freight
Build info : 1856, Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo
Specs : 166x32x11, 592 t.
Date of loss : 1860, Nov 22
Place of loss : near Muskegon, MI
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : gen frt, flour
Detail : She was caught from behind by a gale and driven on a reef while trying to make Grand Haven, then pounded to pieces. Passengers and were crew all rescued. In the summer of the same year she had gone ashore on Thunder Bay Isl., Lake Huron, and she was just back in service after being heavily damaged in a collision in September. Her boiler and furniture was later salvaged for use in the steamer SUNBEAM (qv).
Owned by the Goodrich Line of Chicago.
Sources : lhl,is,hgl,rsh,wl,eas,rnc
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JAMES WADE
Other names : none
Official no. : 75522
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 3-mast
Build info : 1873, Reed, Henderson, NY as a two-mast schooner, mizzen added later
Specs : 273 g 212n
Date of loss : 1883, Nov 15
Place of loss : off Rondeau Point
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 7
Carrying : 19,000 bu wheat
Detail : Bound Detroit for Buffalo, she apparently foundered in a storm with just the tips of her masts visible. For several days it was not known what vessel it was, until someone recognized the masts of the missing WADE. She had started for Buffalo two weeks before, but had suffered a collision on L. Erie and had returned to Detroit for repairs. She reloaded and attempted the trip again and was lost. Owned by Wolf & Davidson, Milwaukee. Master: Capt. D. H. Brown(d).
Sources : hgl,nsp,polk,es,fw,eb
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T.J. WAFFLE
Other names : none
Official no. : C130767
Type at loss : propeller scow, wood, bulk freight “rabbit”
Build info : 1914, Joseph Paradis, Westport, Ont.
Specs : 105x23x8, 149gc 75nc
Date of loss : 1919, Sep 22
Place of loss : Between Oswego, NY & Ducks
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 8 [all]
Carrying : coal
Detail : She went missing in heavy weather while bound Fairhaven, NY for Kingston, Ont. Some wreckage came ashore at Burt Pt., near Oswego. Much of it was so thoroughly splintered that speculation was that she had exploded her boiler.
Owned out of Kingston by James Swift.
Built for use on the Rideau Canal.
Sources : mmgl,csqw,csv,lm,ns2,h,win
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DAVID WAGSTAFF
Other names : none
Official no. : 6143
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1863, I.W. Nicholas, Vermilion, OH
Specs : 137x29x11, 311g 295n
Date of loss : 1890, Nov 25
Place of loss : a few miles west of North Fox Island
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : building stone
Detail : While she was bound Portage, MI [Lake Superior] for Milwaukee, her heavy cargo shifted and burst her hull, causing her to founder quicky. Her crew made it to Gull Island in her small boat, where they were cared for by local fishermen.
Rebuilt, 1883.
Out of Cleveland.
Sources : polk,mv,hgl,eas,h,wb,sb,nsp,bb,rls
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WAH-NE-TAH
Other names : also seen as “Wah-Ne-Tah, Jr.”
Official no. : 208598
Type at loss : gas screw, passenger & package freight “packet”
Build info : 1910, Oshkosh, WI
Specs : 46x9x4, 13g 12n
Date of loss : 1916, Apr 21
Place of loss : Oshkosh, WI
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none of 22
Carrying : ?
Detail : She caught fire and burned to total loss.
Probably built for use on Fox R.
Sources : mv
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WAHNIPITAE
Other names : also seen as WAHNAPITAE*
Official no. : 81115
Type at loss : schooner-barge, wood, “log boat”
Build info : 1886, J. Davidson, W. Bay City hull#14
Specs : 260x51x11, 1431g 1360n
Date of loss : 1890, Oct 26
Place of loss : Cleveland harbor entrance
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 1 or 2 of 8
Carrying : 1.8 million bd. ft. lumber
Detail : She was bound Ashland, WI for Fairport, OH, in tow of the prop JOHN M. NICOL(qv). A gale arose and the NICOL cast her off to ride out the storm off the harbor entrance until tugs could retrieve her and bring her in. Before they could she was shoved against the breakwater by a crosswind and wrecked. The crew made it to the breakwater, where they were rescued by the tugs TOM MAYTHAM and H.L. CHAMBERLIN and the USLS. Owner: Loveland Lumber Co.
She was the largest wooden vessel in the world when built – constructed to carry whole unsawn logs to the mills. Capacity: 2 million board feet.
Luxury yacht SAY WHEN struck the wreck and sank in 1895.
*The river in Canada after which she is named has this spelling, and she appears often in the press this way.
Sources : vbs,sbs,phr,h,ledc,nsp,hgl,mpl,usls,es
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WAKE UP
Other names : also spelled WAKEUP and WAKE-UP
Official no. : 26242
Type at loss : scow-schooner, wood
Build info : 1864, D. Bailey, Madison, Ohio
Specs : 70 t.
Date of loss : 1878, Sep 2
Place of loss : near Port Hope, MI
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : (storm)
Loss of life : none
Carrying : 85,000 ft. lumber, shingles, cedar posts
Detail : She was found ashore and reported a total wreck on the 4th. She was stripped of her outfit and cargo, and by the 10th she was reported broken up.
Rebuilt in 1873
Sources : jb,wmn,wl,mv
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BELLE WALBRIDGE
Other names : none
Official no. : 2234
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1857, G.W. Jones, Cleveland
Specs : 138x26x10, 271g 257n
Date of loss : 1886, Nov 22
Place of loss : at Sheboygan, WI
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : telegraph poles
Detail : She collided with a pier and sank at the harbor entrance in a SE gale. Her crew escaped to the government pier.
Major repairs, 1867, 74, 1880
Sources : mv,polk,phr,nsp,h,hgl,rsl
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H.S. WALBRIDGE
Other names : none
Official no. : 11280
Type at loss : schooner-barge, wood
Build info : 1862, Edwards, Milan, Oh
Specs : 125x25x11, 215g 204n
Date of loss : 1896, Jul 16
Place of loss : 2 mi W of Port Colborn, near Long Point
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : light
Detail : She went ashore, striking a reef, and was abandoned. She stayed inplace until she finally broke up in a storm in early November, her wreckage washing ashore near Sugar Loaf. Out of St. Clair, Mich. Master: George McClure
Rebuilt, 1878
Sources : bbas,hgl,mv,polk,wmn,nsp
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S. C. WALBRIDGE
Other names : also seen as SARAH C. WALBRIDGE
Official no. : none
Type at loss : brig, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1844, Hewett, Conneaut, OH
Specs : 105x24x10, 237 t.
Date of loss : 1866, Jun 18
Place of loss : 15 miles E of Cleveland
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : lumber
Detail : She was driven ashore and wrecked in a gale. Owned by Capt. J. R. Scott of Detroit. Master: Capt. McAdam. At the time it was reported that Capt. Scott had lost the schooner MARY WILLIAMS within sight of this wreck and was to lose the ANDES nearby in 1868.
Rebuilt in 1859 and 63.
Sources : hgl,wl,rsl,nsp,wmn
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L.C. WALDO
Other names : later RIVERTON(1915) and MOHAWK DEER(1944)
Official no. : 141421
Type at loss : propeller, steel, bulk freight
Build info : 1896, F. Wheeler, W. Bay City hull# 112
Specs : 451x48x28, 4466g 3519n
Date of loss : 1913, Nov 11
Place of loss : on Gull Rock, off Keweenaw Pt.
Lake : Superior
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : iron ore
Detail : She was driven ashore by a huge gale. The Lifesaving Service crew struggled mightily for almost 4 days but finally rescued her people. The ship was quickly delared a total loss, but was later recovered and rebuilt.
Sold Canadian 1915 [C137898]. While enroute to a scrapyard in LaSpezia, Italy, she broke tow of the Yugoslav tug JUNAK and went ashore near Portofino, Italy, November 5, 1967. Total loss.
Originally 387x48x28, 4244g 3290n, enlarged in 1905
Rebuilt 1914
Sources : eas,vbs,gsgl,sol,ttgl,mh,h,ns5,lol,gwgl,lss
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WALES
Other names : none
Official no. : C ?
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1881, Kingston, Ont.
Specs : 110x19x11, 182gc 152nc
Date of loss : 1895
Place of loss : near Midland, Ont.
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : abandoned
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : Shown as simply abandoned, perhaps not as a result of a wreck.
May be rebuild of prop built by W. Chaffey, Brockville, 1864 and reported rebuilt to barge again in 1881
Sources : polk,mmgl,clu,lhdc
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WALK-IN-THE-WATER
Other names : usually referred to at the time as simply “the steamboat”
Official no. : none
Type at loss : sidewheel steamer, wood, passenger & freight
Build info : 1818, Noah Brown, Black Rock [Buffalo], NY
Specs : 135x32x8, 339 t.
Date of loss : 1821, Oct 31
Place of loss : Point Abino, Canadian shore near Buffalo
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : passengers
Detail : She sprang a leak in a rising storm just after leaving Buffalo on her usual trip to Detroit. After a struggle of several hours, she was driven on rocky point near thw Pt Abino lighthouse by a westerly gale and pounded to pieces. Master: Capt. Jedediah Rogers. Owned by a syndicate of investors from New York City and Albany.
Her frequent comings and goings during 1818-21 were very much in the newspapers in Detroit, but her loss is mentioned not at all. This was because the steamer was virtually the only source of news from the east. Her enrollment was surrendered at Buffalo Apr 5, 1822, annotated “said Steam Boat having been wrecked and broken up.”
She was the 1st steam-powered vessel above Niagara. Her low-pressure engine was imported from Queens, New York. She made her first passage on her regular route – Buffalo-Detroit – in 44 hours and 10 minutes, stopping for wood three times enroute. After this wreck her engine went to steamer SUPERIOR(qv) and later ran a lumber mill in Saginaw, MI.
Her name comes from the reported exclamation of a Native American chieftain upon seeing the seminal steamboat CLERMONT proceeding up the Hudson River under her own power in 1807. “Walks in the Water,” he stated.
Sources : mod,is(3-69),mol,sol,gs,lol,is,ledc,nsp,hgl,mpl,wl,eas,ewe,edd
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C. H. WALKER
Other names : none
Official no. : 4567
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1857, Quayle & Martin, Cleveland (maybe 1864, Chicago)
Specs : 303 t.
Date of loss : 1876, Sep 26
Place of loss : off Lakeport, MI, 9 mi above the head of the St. Clair R.
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : hull failure
Loss of life : none
Carrying : iron ore
Detail : Bound L’Anse, MI, for Erie, PA, she was found to be leaking while crossing the mouth of the Saginaw Bay. Her skipper and crew made a valiant effort to keep her afloat to Port Huron, but she foundered shortly after they abandoned her just short of the river mouth. She went down in the shipping channel in 7 fathoms of water with her masts emergent. Much of her cargo salvaged by the wrecker MONITOR in summer, 1877. Owned by Carse, O’ Brien and Couch, out of Erie. Master: Capt. Crowley.
Major repairs in 1871.
Sources : mv,slh,nsp,hgl,es,rsl,wl
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GEORGE H. WALKER
Other names : also seen as G. H. WALKER
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1837, John Ripson, Selkirk, NY*
Specs : 83x20x8, 124 t.
Date of loss : 1853, Oct 27
Place of loss : near Madison dock, OH
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : lumber
Detail : She was bound Port Burwell, Ont. for Cleveland when she sprang a leak 40 miles out and sank to her decks. Buoyed by her cargo, she drifted to near shore, where her prople were rescued by the local inhabitants. Out of Cleveland. Master: Capt. Hart.
*also reported as 1827, Port Ontario, NY
Sources : nsp,hgl,rp
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IDA WALKER
Other names : built as schooner NEW DOMINION, renamed in 1880
Official no. : C80772
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1867, W. Yeomans, Sophiasburg, Ont.
Specs : 109x26x9, 218 gc 187 nc
Date of loss : 1886, Nov 18
Place of loss : near Wellington, Ont. [Bald Head Isl.]
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 1
Carrying : coal
Detail : She was driven out of Weller’s Bay while loading. She dragged anchor to a reef and later broke up. The rescue of her crew by Wellington lifesavers was the first ever by the famous Dobbins surfboat, which became standard equipment for the USLS. Registration closed Oct 28, 1902. Owned by Allen & Co. of Sarnia
Rebuilt, 1880, major repairs, 1885
Sources : mmgl,csqw,is,nsp,osdo,hgl,do
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JAMES A. WALKER
Other names : none
Official no. : C92383
Type at loss : propeller steam tug, wood
Build info : 1887, J. Gaskin, Kingston
Specs : 105x20x10, 184gc 98nc
Date of loss : 1898, Oct 23
Place of loss : Nicholson Isl, W of Wellington, Ont.
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none of 11
Carrying : none
Detail : Bound Oswego for Montreal with 2 barges, she was driven into shallows by a SE gale and foundered 100 yards off the beach. All but one crew abandoned her in a small lifeboat. The remaining man floated ashore on the wheelhouse roof. Master: Capt. John Boyd.
Engine removed and hull salvaged by late 1899.
Owned by Montreal Transportation Co., used as barge tug
Sources : mmgl,csqw,h,csv,osdo,win,hgl,nsp
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MARY WALKER
Other names : none
Official no. : 50178
Type at loss : canal boat, wood
Build info : 1866, Chicago
Specs : 83 t.
Date of loss : 1883, Nov 1
Place of loss : at Chicago
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : none mentioned
Carrying : ?
Detail : The large steamers JOHN B. LYON(qv) was being towed stern foremost by two tugs through the tight “Collision Bend,” on the South Branch of the Chicago River, when she swung too wide. The unfortunate MARY WALKER was tied at the the wall nearby, was struck by the LYON and ” crushed up like a silk hat under a fat lady,” never to sail again.
Sources : nsp,wmhs,wl,wmn
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C.B. WALLACE
Other names : built as steamer J.V. LUTTS, renamed in 1891
Official no. : 76124
Type at loss : sidewheel steamer, wood, passenger & package freight
Build info : 1880, I. Gillespie, Port Clinton, OH
Specs : 102x18x3, 99g 82n
Date of loss : 1897, Sep 25
Place of loss : at Toledo
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : no cargo
Detail : Burned to a total loss at her dock – the source of the fire was unkown. Owned by M. I. Wilcox.
Rebuilt from an odd sidewheel rabbit to a passenger steamer in 1891.
Sources : mv,polk,sol,mpl,hcgl,nsp
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J. S. WALLACE
Other names : also seen as JOHN S. WALLACE
Official no. : 12971
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1853, H. Williams, St. Joseph, Mich
Specs : 80x16x6, 57 t. [79 t. om]
Date of loss : 1876, Apr 4
Place of loss : at Sheboygan, Wis
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : cordwood
Detail : She ran ashore during a SE gale and became a total loss. Her skipper mistook the old Sheboygan bridge pier for the harbor pier.
Also sunk near Holland, Mich, in 1869
Sources : nsp,mv,rsl,wl,hgl,wmn
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LEWIS WALLACE*
Other names : built as MIRANDA, renamed before 1884 [seen more often as LOUIS WALLACE, LEWIS is from mvus]
Official no. : 16625
Type at loss : propeller steam tug, wood
Build info : 1865, Barbage, Grand Haven , MI
Specs : 54x16x7, 41g 26n
Date of loss : 1893, Aug 5*
Place of loss : Portage Lake, Mich, near lake entrance
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : none
Detail : She caught fire near the hold at night and burned to a total loss at the pier of the Harbor of Refuge, opposite Onekama, Michigan. Out of Onekama, owner and master: Capt. John D. Padden.
*Sep 22 is more often given, but this date is from contemporary newspapers
Rebuilt 1880 at Saginaw after 1879 fire
Sources : mv,polk,lmdc,lhl,,phr,nsp
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ROBERT WALLACE
Other names : none
Official no. : 110518
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1880, W. H. Radcliffe, Cleveland
Specs : 209x36x18, 1190g 905n
Date of loss : 1902, Nov 17
Place of loss : SE of Two Harbors, MN
Lake : Superior
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : iron ore
Detail : She was downbound towing the like-laden barge ASHLAND in a gale. The wildly bucking barge tore the stern off the WALLACE, causing her to swamp and sink. ASHLAND coasted in to take off the WALLACE’s crew. Master: Capt. J. W. Nicholson. Owner: James Corrigan.
A stranding and fire almost spelled her end in Nov, 1886, near Marquette, with her usual towbarge, DAVID WALLACE.
Sources : mv,polk,nsp,gwgl,is(3-60),ns1,ws,lss,mpl,bbas
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WILLIAM WALLACE
Other names : also seen as WM. WALLACE, SIR WILLIAM WALLACE
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1856, Geo. Ford, Goderich, Ont. [1848, Whitby also given]
Specs : 52x14x6, 32 t.
Date of loss : 1857, Oct 9
Place of loss : one mile off Toronto light, Toronto
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 4 [all]
Carrying : wood
Detail : Bound Whitby, Ont. for Toronto,she foundered in a gale with all hands. Some crewmen clung to her emergent masts, but all attempts to get to them failed, and they perished. Master: Capt. McCaine(d). Date of loss is from newspaper account, but NAC document surrender of 1891 puts date of loss at “about 9 years ago.” She doesn’t appear on 1866 or later underwriter’s lists, but may have become an American vessel before 1860.
Sources : nsp,mmgl,hgl,nsp,wmn
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WALRUS
Other names : none
Official no. : 26225
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1857, Lafrinier & Stevenson, Cleveland
Specs : 136x26x12, 264g
Date of loss : 1868, Nov 7
Place of loss : Gray’s Reef, NW of Beaver Isls.
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : fog
Loss of life : none
Carrying : 16,500 bu barley
Detail : Bound Chicago for Oswego, she ran on Gray’s Reef in a heavy fog, was holed and sank in an exposed position. She was broken up by wave action within a few days. out of Chicago, owned by Halsted & Jacobs.
Major repairs in 1862, rebuilt in 1866-7
Sources : mv,hgl,slh,ssm,mpl,nsp,bb
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WALSCHIFF
Other names : none
Official no. : German 96280
Type at loss : motor ship, steel, bulk and package freight
Build info : 1952, J.G. Hitzler & Maschinenfabrik, Lubeck, Germany
Specs : 206x32x17, 882g 756n
Date of loss : 1952, Oct 2
Place of loss : Opposite Point Edward
Lake : St Clair R
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : 1
Carrying : 325 metric tons sheet steel
Detail : This saltie was rammed amidships by the big ore boat PIONEER[US203941] in a mixup of passing signals. One fatality was the WALSCHIFF’s Canadian pilot, who died of a heart attack. WALSCHIFF was later raised by McQueen Marine, Amhurstberg, Ont., given a temporary patch and towed all the way back to Germany for permanent repairs. Out of Hamburg, Germany; owned by Paitenroed-Walschiff Corp. Master: Capt. Thomas Nissen.
Sources : s,is,win,mpl,uscg,mhgl
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PHILIP WALTER
Other names : also seen as PHILIP WALTERS and P.H. WALTER
Official no. : 20414
Type at loss : sidewheel tug and freighter, wood
Build info : 1872, L. Jackson or G.H. Jackman, Sandusky, OH as a passenger steamer
Specs : 94x22x6, 102g 51n
Date of loss : 1887, Jun 20
Place of loss : 3 mi off Lorain, OH*
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 8 of 12
Carrying : gen merch, stone
Detail : Bound Marblehead for Cleveland, she capsized and sank in a short-lived storm. The captain, mate and two of his children survived , while his wife and two other children, plus the rest of the crew, drowned, Several other vessels were seriously damaged or sunk by hitting her wreckage, including the steamer EGYPTIAN. Master: Capt. J. G. Gillespie.
*Many sources say she was lost off Sandusky, but Sandusky historian G. Wendt and nsp places the loss near Lorain.
rebuilt, 1880
Sources : mv,www,polk,h,ledc,le,nsp,wb,hgl,sb,mpl,eas,es,wmn
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WALTERS – See WATERS W. BRAMAN
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JOHN WALTERS
Other names : none Built on hull of the Canadian schooner SARAH BOND, built at Kingston in 1852 by Thurston, later LOCH LOMOND
Official no. : C71205
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1874, W. Redmond, Picton, Ont.
Specs : 109x24x8, 176gc 176nc
Date of loss : 1899*
Place of loss : SE tip of Russel Isl., near Tobermory, Ont.
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : (storm)
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : Sank just offshore.
Owned by Henry Patterson of Chatham.
*year also given as 1883
Registration closed 12/31/1897(!?)
Sources : mmgl,polk,eas,slh,mpl,do
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GEORGE H. WAND
Other names : none also seen as GEORGE H. WAUD*
Official no. : 10152
Type at loss : schooner-barge, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1866, R. Williams, Buffalo
Specs : 139x31x11, 358g 340n
Date of loss : 1902, Apr 17
Place of loss : off the mouth of the Black R., Port Huron, Mich
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : In tow of the tug ANNIE LAURIE, which was returning to port with a leak in her hull, she sheered during passing and was run into at 2 a.m. by the big upbound bulker LAGONDA. She sank quickly to her rails, and the freighter went on the nearby middleground. Part of her crew got off in her yawl, while the rest were rescued by lifeboat from the LAGONDA. Purchased the same week by C. E. Koch of Sandusky, Oh., and commanded by Capt. B. LaForge. Koch had also owned the FOSTORIA, sunk nearby in a similar incident a year earlier, also in tow of ANNIE LAURIE.
Went ashore and declared a total loss in September, 1878, at Sand Beach, Lake Huron . Not recovered until May, 1880. Converted from a schooner to a schooner-barge after this accident.
Ashore near Erie, Pa. in 1872 and declared a total loss.
*WAUD is probably her actual name, as that is what marine reporters almost always called her. WAND, however, is what shows up on nearly all official lists, and therefore is used here.
Sources : nsp,mv,polk,phr,wmn,bbas
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WANDERER
Other names : none
Official no. : 26239
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1861, Doville, Sodus, NY
Specs : 63 t.
Date of loss : 1874, Oct 12 or 13
Place of loss : 20 mi out of Cleveland, near Long Point
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 5 [all ]
Carrying : coal
Detail : She sank in a storm. After her masts were seen projecting above the water on the 15th, there was speculation for more than a week as to which vessel it was. Owned and sailed by Capt. James Whitworth(d), Cleveland
Ashore on Kelley’s Island and expected to go to pieces in April of the previous year.
Sources : nsp,mv,rsl,wl,bb,wmn
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WANDERER – former entry deleted (1883) – vessel recovered, lasted to 20th century
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A. B. WARD
Other names : also seen as AARON WARD
Official no. : 383
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1854, Theo. Burley, Philadelphia, as a tug
Specs : 32 t. [80 t. om]
Date of loss : 1870, Apr 24
Place of loss : 20 mi NE of Milwaukee
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 3 [all]
Carrying : shingles & potatoes
Detail : Bound Pentwater for Milwaukee, she capsized in a squall and her hull was found floating upside down off Milwaukee.
Owned by John Smith, Pentwater, MI.
Not in ’69 mvus, but noted in 1874 volume as “wrecked.”
Sources : hgl,sagl,is,bb,rsl,nsp,mv,hr
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EBER WARD
Other names : none
Official no. : 136001
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1888, F. Wheeler, W. Bay City hull# 43 as a package freighter
Specs : 213x37x22, 1344g 1038n
Date of loss : 1909, Apr 9
Place of loss : just W of S pier of Mackinac Bridge
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : ice
Loss of life : 5 of 16
Carrying : corn
Detail : She struck a growler* and sank in less than 10 minutes. The survivors were picked up by the steamer BENNINGTON.
Member of Boland Fleet.
Rebuilt from package freighter to bulker in 1900(?)
*Floating ice cake.
Wreck located in 1980.
Sources : mv,vbs,sbs,ssm,mol,slh,ns1,lssc,h,phr,mpl
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JOHN P. WARD – See J.B. SEAVERNS
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JOSEPH WARD
Other names : also seen as JO. WARD, JOHN WARD
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1844, Milwaukie
Specs : 108x23x9, 216 t.
Date of loss : 1851, Aug 4
Place of loss : at Buffalo
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : 9,600 bu. corn, 30 bbl whiskey
Detail : She attemoted to come into the harbor in a gale, but was forced to lay at anchor and ride it out. Her anchors eventually slipped, driving her into a new pier, where she broke up, a total loss. Master: Capt. Allen.
Sources : hgl,wmn,wl,wmhs,bb
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MARY WARD
Other names : built as SIMCOE, renamed NORTH in ‘64, renamed MARY WARD in 1870
Official no. : C none
Type at loss : propeller, wood, passenger & package freight
Build info : 1864, A. Cantin, Montreal
Specs : 139x26X12, (345gc) 236nc
Date of loss : 1872, Nov 24
Place of loss : Nottawasaga Bay, NE of Collingwood
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 8
Carrying : coal oil & salt
Detail : She ran aground due to a navigational error, then broke her back in a north’r which struck the next day. Owner: John C. Stephens(d) et. al, Owen Sound. Master: Capt. William Johns. The area where she was lost is still called “Mary Ward Ledges.”
Extensively rebuilt in 1869-1870 at Wallaceburg, after a major fire at Port Lambton [Baby’s Point] in November, 1867. She was not raised until October of the following year.
Sources : mmgl,hgl,csv,win,clu,mol,sol,ns1,h,lhdc,nsp,st,mpl,rsl,do
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SUSAN WARD
Other names : none
Official no. : 22402
Type at loss : barge or schooner-barge, wood
Build info : 1862, J.N. Jones, Detroit as a sidewheeler*
Specs : 166x22x9 228 gt
Date of loss : 1885, Sep 9
Place of loss : at Oscoda, MI
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : lumber
Detail : Moored to Oscoda Salt & Lumber Co. dock when a terrific storm sank her, then tore her deck off and proceeded to pound her to splinters from the inside and out. Owned by Oscoda Salt & Lumber Co.
Former passenger sidewheeler built for Eber Ward, converted to barge, Apr, 1870.
*Builder also given as Wm. Cuddy, Detroit
Sources : mv,polk,phr,lhl,nsp,slh,hdm,hgl,eh,rsl,wl
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JOHN F. WARNER
Other names : none [earliest enrollments call her J.F. WARNER]
Official no. : 12768
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1855, Quayle & Martin, Cleveland
Specs : 127x26x11, 200 gt, 191 nt (340 t. OM)
Date of loss : 1890, Oct 13
Place of loss : Thunder Bay near mouth of Thunder Bay R.
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none mentioned
Carrying : lumber & lath
Detail : She was bound for Toledo, in tow of steamer WILLIAM B. COWIE. She sheltered in the bay in a storm, but parted her chains and struck a bar near the river mouth where she later broke in two. Owned by Henning of Bay City, MI
Made several trips to Europe in the 50’s and 60’s, a trade for which she was built, but which never panned out..
major repairs, 1870, 1879, 81. Ashore near Alpena and declared a total loss in November, 1869 and reduced to a barge after her recovery.
Sources : polk,mv,phr,nsp,slh,hgl,wmn,mdwl
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M.R. WARNER
Other names : none
Official no. : 90480
Type at loss : schooner-barge, wood
Build info : 1873, Toledo
Specs : 199x34x14, 700g 665n
Date of loss : 1893, Nov 3
Place of loss : Sand Isl., near Bayfield.
Lake : Superior
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : timbers
Detail : Consort of steamer SUPERIOR, she broke loose and went ashore in a gale after drifting halfway up the lake. She broke up the following March after several salvage attempts failed.
Out of Cleveland, owned by M. A. Bradley.
She was a major salvage job taking several weeks after stranding near Rock Falls, Mich, Lake Huron, in Oct, 1874.
Sources : mv,nsp,polk,lss,hgl,wb,mr
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WARNICK
Other names : built as tug T. M. MOORE, renamed in 1899
Official no. : 145222
Type at loss : propeller tug, wood
Build info : 1880. Union Dry Dock, Buffalo
Specs : 51x14x7, 24g 16n
Date of loss : 1913, Sep 5
Place of loss : at Dunkirk, NY
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : none
Detail : Caught fire in her homeport of Dunkirk and burned to the waterline.
Ashore and declared total loss near Manistee in 1890. Also burned in 1898 and 1910. Not to be confused with another almost identical tug named T. M. MOORE, built in 1883
Sources : mv,hr,wmn,wl,glmd
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WARREN
Other names : none
Official no. : 26223
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1835, Chas. Hinman, Ashtabula, Ohio
Specs : 84x20x7, 76 t.
Date of loss : 1879, Nov 21
Place of loss : at Bailey’s Harbor
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : (storm)
Loss of life : none
Carrying : wood
Detail : She ran ashore when exiting the harbor after taking on a cargo of wood. The cost of releasing her was expected to be too high, and she was abandoned in place. Later stripped and her cargo removed by the schooner FREE DEMOCRAT(qv). One of the oldest working vessels on the lakes at the time (44 years). Out of Manitowoc, owned by Torgen Olsen.
Rebuilt in 1848 at Chicagoand again at Grand Haven in 1864.
Sources : wgts,hr,whs
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HOMER WARREN
Other names : built as passenger steamer ATLANTIC, renamed in 1901
Official no. : C130222
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1863, Peck & Masters, Cleveland as a passenger steamer [US#298]
Specs : 177x30x12, 447gc 308nc
Date of loss : 1919, Oct 28
Place of loss : off Pultneyville, NY
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 9*[all]
Carrying : corn
Detail : Bound Oswego for Toronto, this aged freighter succumbed to a teriffic gale while attempting to fight her way north acrosss the lake from Pultneyville to Toronto. Though contemporary reports state that the vessel was carrying coal, divers finding her remains report that her cargo was apparently corn and as such may have contributed to the wreck when it swelled and burst her hull. Out of Toronto. Master: Capt. William Stocker(d).
*19 also given
Converted from passenger to bulker at James Davidson shipyard, Bay City, in 1900 after a fire in August, 1899. The hull was so rotten that it required a near-total rebuild, after which she was rated as a new vessel.. Originally 2 feet narrower. Sold Canadian in 1914.
Major repairs 1880,83, rebuilt, 1879
Sources : mv,polk,sol,ns2,h,csv,win,mpl,wmn,jmk
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WARRENKO
Other names : built as CSA blockade runner LET HER BE [i.e. Letter B], renamed CHICORA in 1868, last name in 1921
Official no. : C53588
Type at loss : salvage barge, iron former sidewheel steamer
Build info : 1864, W. Miller, Birkenhead, Eng. for Confederate States of America
Specs : 228x26x11, 930gt
Date of loss : 1938, Jul 7**
Place of loss : near Kingston, Ont. at Pyke Salvage Dock
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : She was rammed at her dock by the steamer SPRUCE BAY (or ELMBAY) and sank. Remains were reportedly still visible in Bateau Channel in 1973.
She had a long and interesting career. She started out as a Confederate blocakade runner and was brought to the lakes in 1868 [cut in two to pass the St. Lawrence locks and Welland Canal – reassembled at Buffalo]. Used as a military transport in Reil Rebellion, 1870. She became a very famous steamer on the Lakes due to her sleek lines and her history, but was very expensive to run.
Rebuilt in 1877-8, 90. Retired from powered service and laid up at Toronto in 1914.
Sank in storm at Toronto in 1919, raised, stripped and converted to a barge in 1920.
**also given as 1937 & 39, and as Sep 7. Sold Canadian in 1866.
Sources : mmgl,csv,csqw,win,h,eh,mpl
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HENRY WARRINGTON
Other names : see below
Official no. : 11857
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1868, J.M. Jones, Detroit
Specs : 142x27x10, 257 gt, .
Date of loss : 1911, Aug 21
Place of loss : near Charlevoix, MI
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : lumber
Detail : She was driven into the shallows by a summer gale. Later pounded to pieces
Built as HENRY WARRINGTON and wrecked on Lake Huron in 1869. Rebuilt and sold to the U. S. Light House Service, who renamed her WARRINGTON. Sold to Hines Lumber Co. in 1910, given her original name and converted to a bulk freight lumber hooker.
Image of her beached from GLMD
Sources : lhl,mv,phr,ns2,lmdc,slh,mpl,eas
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WASAGA
Other names : built as propeller WISSAHICKON
Official no. : C117084
Type at loss : propeller, wood, package freight
Build info : 1876, Union Dry Dock Co., Buffalo US# 80598
Specs : 244x36x15, 1745 t.
Date of loss : 1910, Nov 7
Place of loss : off Copper Harbor, MI
Lake : Superior
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : She sought shelter from a big gale in front of Copper Harbor and dropped anchor, then caught fire and burned to waterline and sank.
Sold Canadian in 1907.
She was built to replace the iron propeller MERCHANT(qv) of the Union Steamboat Co.
Sources : csv,mv,polk,win,sol,is,ns2,mmgl,mpl,df,bb,nsp
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WASHINGTON – See GEORGE WASHINGTON, LADY WASHINGTON
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GEORGE WASHINGTON
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : sidewheel steamer, wood, passenger & package frt
Build info : 1833, Huron, OH
Specs : 605 t.
Date of loss : 1833, Oct 9
Place of loss : on Long Point
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none or 1
Carrying : passengers
Detail : She broke her steampipe in heavy weather and was placed at the mercy of the wind. She was blown ashore on Long Point, where she became a total wreck. She was on the return leg of her very first trip, as was the WASHINGTON lost five years later [SEE BELOW].
Sources : lhl,hgl,nsp,wl
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GEORGE WASHINGTON
Other names : none also seen as just WASHINGTON
Official no. : none
Type at loss : sidewheel steamer, wood, passenger & package frt
Build info : 1838, Capt. Savage, Ashtabula, OH
Specs : 308 t.
Date of loss : 1838, Jun 15
Place of loss : off Silver Creek, near Dunkirk, NY
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : 30 to 50, about 50 more were saved
Carrying : passengers
Detail : She caught fire near her boilers on the return of her maiden voyage and was destroyed, though the hull could still float well enough to be towed in to Silver Creek the next day. Later opinion said that deadly time was wasted in trying to extinguish the blaze instead of running her the 3 or 4 miles to shore, and in stopping to lower a boat during the run. Survivors swam or drifted 2 miles to shore, or were picked up by the steamer NORTH AMERICAN, which had seen the blaze from a distance and had come to the rescue. Owned in Ashtabula, Oh. By Henry Hubbard et. al. Master: Capt. Nathaniel W. Brown.
Sources : hgl,lhl,eas,is(2-60),nsp
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WASP
Other names : ?
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : (1817, Huron, OH)
Specs : (40x12x4, 17 t.)
Date of loss : 1818, Nov (15)
Place of loss : near Cunningham Creek
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : She was driven ashore, bilged and wrecked. If she was the vessel shown parenthetically above, she was recovered.
Sources : hgl,is,wl
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WATER WITCH
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : propeller, wood, passenger & package freight
Build info : 1861, J. Wolverton, Newport, MI
Specs : 164x24x9, 458 gt, 369 nt
Date of loss : 1863, Nov 11
Place of loss : last seen off Au Sable Pt, abreast Oscoda
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 28 [all]
Carrying : passengers, copper, merchandise
Detail : She foundered in a southwest gale. The schooner J.D. NORRIS, also fighting the storm, could see the propeller and said she was making good weather of it when she suddenly disappeared. Wreckage later washed ashore on Pte Aux Barques. She had been bound Chicago for Sarnia, Ont. Some evidence suggested that she may have suffered an explosion. Master: Capt. George Ryder(d), Detroit. Owned by the Ward Line.
She had an unusual “cog-wheel” engine with a transverse walking beam, according to several newspaper accounts. Her engine reportedly came from the sidewheeler FASHION, wrecked in 1856(qv). She was often noted as the fastest propeller on the lakes, reputedly able to reach 18 mph! She was also equipped with an early watertight bulkhead 30 ft abaft her stem, made of oak timbers and India-rubber. Other innovations included an interlinked windlass and capstan and a new design of pony engine.
Sources : hgl,eas,hmc,lhl,is(4-70),gs,slh,sol,h,lhdc,nsp
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WATER WITCH
Other names : also seen as WATERWITCH
Official no. : C42742
Type at loss : bark, wood, 3-mast
Build info : 1853, A. Cantin, Montreal
Specs : 132x24x11, 365 t.
Date of loss : 1869, Oct 24
Place of loss : several miles off Timber Island
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : iron
Detail : A squall and rapid change of wind direction knocked her down on her beam ends. She was slow to right herself and after she did was found to be leaking profusely. The crew abandoned ship in her tiny yawl and were soon after rescued by the American schooner E.P. DORR. The WITCH quickly sank in 2-300 feet of water. Owned by Jas. Swift of Kingston. Master: Capt. Barnes.
Major repair in 1862
Sources : nsp,hgl,clu,rsl,mdwl,wmn,bb
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WATERLOO
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : sidewheel steamer, wood, ferry
Build info : 1840, Black Rock, NY
Specs : 126x18x6, 141 t.
Date of loss : 1849, Oct 17
Place of loss : Niagara R.
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : Burned to a total loss at her dock at Black Creek. She was a loss of $6,000. Master and owner: Capt. Sylvanus Staring, Buffalo.
Part of her engine was once in the WALK-IN-THE WATER(qv) and the SUPERIOR(qv).
Rebuilt and enlarged in 1844, originally 90 ft..
Stranded and wrecked on Georgian Bay in 1846.
Sources : hgl,eas,lhl,slh,is,wl,bcw,wl
—-———————————
WATERTOWN – See also UNION
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WATERTOWN
Other names : none
Official no. : C none
Type at loss : sidewheel steamer, wood
Build info : 1864, Geo. Thurston, Kingston, Ont.
Specs : 133x17x8, 179 t.
Date of loss : 1865, Sep 6
Place of loss : at Cape Vincent, NY
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : 4
Carrying : ?
Detail : Caught fire at her dock while laying over for the night. She was cut loose to save the dock and drifted down to Featherbed Shoal, Carleton Island, where she burned to the water’s edge – $20,000 loss. The fire apparently originated in the cook’s cabin and was well advanced before being discovered.. For some time it was thought only a single crewman had died in the accident, but later the skeletons of a woman and two children were found in the burned-out hulk. Owned by Kinghorn and Hinckley. Another WATERTOWN was built on the hull, but was apparently registered as a new vessel.
Sources : mmgl,hgl,nsp,rnc,wl
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ALEX WATSON
Other names : none also seen as ALEXANDER WATSON, above is official
Official no. : C none
Type at loss : propeller, wood
Build info : 1870, McDonnell, Wallaceburg, Ont.
Specs : 90x24x6, 64 t.
Date of loss : 1871, Jun 27
Place of loss : At Lambton, Ont. (Baby’s Point also given)
Lake : St Clair R
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : cordwood
Detail : She caught fire from an overheated boiler abreast of Lambton and made it to the dock. The crew escaped, then the blazing vessel broke loose and drifted to Walpole I., where she burned out and sank. Out of Wallaceburg, Ont. owned by Capt. Weston & A. Watson.
Sources : mmgl,csv,nsp,hgl,st
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FLORA WATSON
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1854, Milan, Oh
Specs : 290 t.
Date of loss : 1862, Nov 2
Place of loss : 2 mi from the mouth of the Niagara River
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : none
Carrying : grain
Detail : Bound Toledo for Oswego, she came into collision with the ancient (War of 1812 veteran) schooner HARRIET ROSS and sank in 24-30 feet of water. The accident occurred about 4 in the morning.
Sources : km,hgl,wmn,wl,nsp
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MARY WATSON
Other names : none
Official no. : C none
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1853, G. Ford, Goderich, Ont.
Specs : 72x17x8, 69 t.
Date of loss : 1858, Oct 10
Place of loss : off Goderich, Ont.
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none mentioned
Carrying : coal and salt
Detail : Reported ashore near the “north pier” and wrecked in a storm. Reported “a total wreck” by the end of the month. Owned by the Seymours of Goderich.
Sources : mmgl,hgl,clu,slh,nsp,rnc,km
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ANNIE WATT
Other names : none
Official no. : C85326
Type at loss : propeller, wood, pass. & pkg freight “packet”
Build info : 1884, A. Hackett, Lion’s Head, Ont.
Specs : 75x16x6, 62gc 42nc
Date of loss : 1890, Aug 13
Place of loss : off Gunn Point, Ontario
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : none
Carrying : small cargo of merchandise
Detail : She collided with steamer ALDERSON and sank while bound for Lion’s Head. Location also given as “near Barrier Island.” Official records show her lost on the 16th, but newspapers of the 14th report her sunk the previous day.
Out of Owen Sound
Burned and declared total loss Nov 8, 1889, but rebuilt.
Sources : mmgl,slh,h,csv,win,hgl,es3-1,nsp
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WATTS – see WORTS
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WAU-KON
Other names : built as CHARLES WEST, renamed in 1897
Official no. : 126115
Type at loss : propeller, wood, passenger
Build info : 1883, James Elliott, Saugatuck, Mich as a fishing supply boat
Specs : 95x18x8, 61 g 41 n
Date of loss : 1919, May 17
Place of loss : at Tonawanda, NY
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : none
Detail : Caught fire and burned to a total loss. Out of Buffalo.
Engine recovered and installed in another vessel (maybe 1918 tug ROCHESTER).
In 1890 she was the 1st boat of the Arnold Mackinac Ferry line, running in the eastern Straits and St. Mary’s R.
Lengthened and re-engined at Manistee in 1896-7 after a fire. Originally 74x19x8.
Sources : mv,wmn,wl,glmd,hr
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WAUBIC
Other names : later ERIE ISLE(1938) and PRINCE NOVA(1942)
Official no. : C122555
Type at loss : propeller, steel, passenger & package freight
Build info : 1909, Collingwood Shipbuilding, Collingwood, Ont.
Specs : 134x25x9, 504gc 224nc
Date of loss : 1938, Jan 18
Place of loss : Kingsville, Ont
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : She was gutted by fire at E pier and declared a total loss. Later rebuilt.
Out of Collingwood.
Rebuilt and renamed ERIE ISLE after this accident. As PRINCE NOVA, she burned to total loss at Pictou, NS, Jul 6 1959.
WAUBIC as she originally looked, from my collection
After this fire, Alpena Public Library
Sources : csv,mmgl,win,h,ledc
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WAUBUNO
Other names : none
Official no. : C none
Type at loss : propeller, wood, passenger & package freight
Build info : 1865,M. Simpson, Port Robinson (Thorold), Ont.
Specs : 135x19x7, 465gc 293nc
Date of loss : 1879, Nov 22
Place of loss : near Parry Sound, Ont.
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 24 [all]
Carrying : passengers
Detail : Bound Collingwood for Parry Sound, she sailed into a storm and disappeared. Last seen by Christian Isl. lightkeeper. It was not known what had happened to her until her inverted hull was discovered ashore the following spring near Moose Point, Ont., S of Parry Sound. All of the boat’s life jackets were later recovered.
Owned by Great Northern Transit Co. Master: Capt. W. H. Burkit(d).
Wreck located by divers in 1959
Sources : hgl,win,csv,mmgl,is(4-60,4-65),ls,slh,gs,sol,h,lhdc,eh,mpl,es,wa
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GEORGE WAUD – See GEORGE WAND
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WAUKEGAN
Other names : built as tug COMMODORE, renamed in 1920
Official no. : 222863
Type at loss : propeller, wood, passenger & package freight
Build info : 1919, Sturgeon Bay Dry Dock, Sturgeon Bay, WI hull #2479
Specs : 143x30x17, 763g 517n
Date of loss : 1935, Dec 5
Place of loss : Sturgeon Bay, WI
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : none
Detail : She was destroyed by fire at her winter dock, along with KENOSHA, LUCIA A. SIMPSON, PETOSKEY & SWIFT(qv, all).
Built as a U.S. government tug. Converted to passenger/freight vessel in 1920. Sister of tug KENOSHA.
Sources : ns4,rkr,mv,mpl
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WAUKESHA
Other names : built as schooner NABOB, renamed before 1884
Official no. : 18175
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1862, Rand, Manitowoc (also given: Milwaukee)
Specs : 138x27x12, 310g 295n
Date of loss : 1896, Nov 7
Place of loss : off Muskegon, MI
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 6 of 7
Carrying : 600 t. salt, apples
Detail : Trying to ride out a gale at anchor, she waterlogged and foundered. She had earlier attempted to come int o Muskegon harbor, but could not negotiate the entrance. Locals watched from shore as her lights went out, then the wreckage started coming in. Owned by F. H. Head, Chicago or by her master. Master: Capt. Duncan Corbett(d). The survivor claimed that the rest of the crew got so drunk while the ship was struggling that they were unable to save either themselves or the ship.
major repairs in 1881 & 82
Sources : hgl,mv,sol,is,wb,polk,mpl,wmn,nsp
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WAURECAN
Other names : none
Official no. : 62107
Type at loss : schooner-barge, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1857, S. Hingston, Buffalo
Specs : 135x30x10, 371gt 294nt
Date of loss : 1875, Nov 29
Place of loss : Port Austin, MI
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : lumber
Detail : Downbound from Saginaw, she broke tow from the struggling steamer TRADER and foundered on Port Austin Reef. The crew endured 12 hours in icy gale before being rescued by the tug HOME. Many of crewmen had feet or ears amputated due to frostbite. Out of Detroit. Master: Capt. A. McKenzie.
Sources : mv,hgl,nsp,slh,es
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WAUSEDA II
Other names : none
Official no. : C158472
Type at loss : gas propeller tug, steel (fish)
Build info : 1924, Midland, Ont
Specs : 55x11x6, 17 t.
Date of loss : 1948, Oct 21
Place of loss : Fitzwilliam Isl., near mouth of Georgian Bay
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : none
Detail : Burned to a total loss at her dock.
Out of Owen Sound
Sources : win,slh,h,bb
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WAUWONA
Other names : also seen as WAWONA
Official no. : C126055
Type at loss : (propeller tug, fish)
Build info : 1908, Owen Sound, Ont
Specs : 60x13x5, 31 t..
Date of loss : 1917, Jun 20
Place of loss : Wall Isl., S of Manitoulin
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : none
Detail : Burned to a total loss.
Out of Owen Sound
Sources : win,h ,bb not in mmgl
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WAVE
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1833, Samuel Southerland, Swan Creek, Mich
Specs : 54x18x6, 44 t.
Date of loss : 1844, Mar 17
Place of loss : 10 mi SSW of mouth of Kalamazoo R. [now Saugatuck]
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 5 given in best report, but other sources give as high as 13
Carrying : light
Detail : Bound for the Grand River with lumber when she was driven ashore by a gale, a total loss. The famous schooner FUR TRADER later brought her outfit to Chicago. Two weeks earlier she had gone ashore near Racine, but had got off in time for this trip.
Out of Milwaukee. Master: Capt. Nichols.
Sources : nsp,wl,hgl,bb,jm,wls,wmn
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WAVE
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : sidewheel steamer, wood
Build info : 1850, Charles Jennisin, Algonac, MI
Specs : 137x22x8, 208 t.
Date of loss : 1851, Nov 7
Place of loss : near mouth of Grand R., Ont
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : (storm)
Loss of life : none
Carrying : merchandise
Detail : She stranded and was wrecked after breaking her shaft.
Final enrollment annotated “wrecked in 1851 on Lake Erie.”
Sources : lhl,hgl,wl,eas,rnc,wmn
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WAVE
Other names : ?
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : (1854, Fairport, OH)
Specs : (57x15x2, 16 t. om)
Date of loss : 1858, Oct 7
Place of loss : off Inverhuron, Ont.
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 2
Carrying : wheat and flour
Detail : Lost with the death of the captain and one hand. Owned and sailed by Capt. Thos.Warwick(d), an Orkney Islander.
Sources : hgl,slh,rnc,wmn(bb,wl) not in mmgl
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WAVE
Other names : none
Official no. : 26645
Type at loss : sidewheeler, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1864, Cornwall & Lester, Newport [Marine City], MI
Specs : 117x20x8, 153g 123n
Date of loss : 1874, Aug 27
Place of loss : off Charity Isls, Saginaw Bay
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : logs
Detail : She caught fire while rafting logs from smallboat at Big Charity Island. The 2 crewmen aboard abandoned on a plank and were still under her bows when her exploding boiler blew her to pieces. Master: Capt. Donahue.
Sources : eas,mv,hgl,slh,lhl,,phr
—-———————————
WAVE CREST – See also LAURA A. LEE
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WAVE CREST
Other names : none
Official no. : C83414
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1867, D. Anderson, Brockville, Ont.
Specs : 110x24x10, 182 t.
Date of loss : 1900, Nov 15
Place of loss : off Oak Orchard Point, near Pt. Breeze, NY
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none reported
Carrying : coal
Detail : She was reportedly overloaded and foundered. Canadian records say: “Vessel was lost owing to the Captain going to sleep, but no particulars are reported.” Bound Charlotte, NY for Toronto; out of Port Hope.
Blown ashore at Alexandria Bay, NY, St. Lawrence R, in July of the same year. She was so far up on the beach that her bowsprit snapped off against a tree.
Ashore and reported gone to pieces in mid-December, 1899, near the same spot.
Sources : mmgl,csqw,hgl,ns1,h,win,mpl,wmn,jmk
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WAVERLY
Other names : none
Official no. : 80432
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1874, Union Dry Dock Co., Buffalo as a package freighter
Specs : 191x34x13, 1104gt 990nt
Date of loss : 1903, Jul 22
Place of loss : 5 mi SE of Harbor Beach, MI
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : none
Carrying : coal
Detail : Upbound with the barge W.S. CROSTHWAITE in tow and bound for Milwaukee, she was struck and sunk by the steel turret steamer TURRET COURT when that vessel’s steering gear broke while she was overtaking WAVERLY. CROSTHWAITE picked up her crew. Part of Gilchrist fleet. (TURRET CROWN also reported as the other vessel.)
Stranded with heavy damage on South Manitou in 1887.
Sources : mv,ns1,polk,nsp,slh,sagl,smi,nb,gsg,mpl
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WAVERTREE
Other names : built as R.H. HARMON, renamed in 1865; also seen as WAVETREE
Official no. : 26233
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1855, Quayle & Martin, Cleveland
Specs : 128x26x11, 343 t.
Date of loss : 1867, (Nov)
Place of loss : off Black River, S of Thunder Bay
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : unreported
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : “lost”, no detail.
In May, 1868, she was sold off the beach, where she had been lying since the previous fall. She was stripped and given up as lost in June, 1868.
Out of Cleveland
Sailed to Europe in 1858.
Sources : hgl,mv,slh,wl,rsl
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WAWANOSH
Other names : also seen as WAWAHNOSH
Official no. : C ?
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 3-mast
Build info : 1873, W. Steed or R. Stedman, Sarnia, Ont.
Specs : 138x26x12, 370 t.
Date of loss : 1906, Dec 6
Place of loss : 3 mi N of Oscoda, MI
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : lumber
Detail : She broke her towline and drove into the shallows near Oscoda. There she pounded to pieces. She had been in tow of the steamer LAKE MICHIGAN. Crew rescued by the tug SPENCER.
Also ashore near Northport, MI, with her cargo of barley in the fall of 1889.
Rebuilt in 1884
Sources : polk,ns1,clu,nsp,bb not in mmgl
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WAWINET
Other names : also seen as WAWANET
Official no. : C116762
Type at loss : propeller yacht, steel
Build info : 1904, Polson Iron Wks, Toronto
Specs : 87x13x8, 68gc 46nt
Date of loss : 1942, Sep 21
Place of loss : 3/4 mi S Beausoliel Isl., near Penetang, Ont.
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : navigational error?
Loss of life : 25 of 42
Carrying : fishermen
Detail : The yacht was on a fishing and party trip when she struck a bar off Beausoliel Island and sank in a few moments. One report says she was doing a high-speed maneuver when she hit. The drowned were all employees of a single factory, out celebrating the successful completion of a defense contract. Owner: Bert Corbeau, Midland, Ont., who was at the helm.
Powered by two Rolls-Royce engines.
Sources : mmgl,win,nsp,slh,h,lhdc,dh,dr,rwr
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WAYNE
Other names : ?
Official no. : 26359
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1848, H. Doville, Sodus, NY
Specs : 56 t.
Date of loss : 1875
Place of loss : Au Sable Point [near Au Sable Mich.)
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : lumber
Detail : Stranded and wrecked while bound for Chicago.
Sources : mv,hgl,slh,rsl,wmn
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WAYNE
Other names : none
Official no. : 80518
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 3-mast, bulk freight
Build info : 1875, A.A. Turner, Trenton, MI (1875, G. Goble, Oswego also given)
Specs : 142x26x12, 322 t.
Date of loss : 1877, Dec 6
Place of loss : at Oswego, NY
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : wheat
Detail : Entering harbor in a gale, she luffed to and lost steerageway. She was driven against the E pier of the breakwater and destroyed. The tug MOREY tried to save her, but got a cable in her propeller and was also disabled.
Owned by M.J. Cummings of Oswego
Sources : is,h,osdo,usls,mpl
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WAYNE
Other names : none
Official no. : 80881
Type at loss : schooner-barge, wood
Build info : 1882, S Langell, St Clair, MI
Specs : 187x34x14, 965g 917n
Date of loss : 1906, Oct 9
Place of loss : 14 mi SW of Portage Canal, Keweenaw
Lake : Superior
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none of 7
Carrying :
Detail : Tow of steamer L. L. BARTH in company with the schr-barge S. H. FOSTER, she stranded and was considered a total loss. Her document was surrendered, but she was recovered and rebuilt. Sold Canadian in 1915 and abandoned in 1926.
Sources : eas,mv,hgl,hcgl
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ANTHONY WAYNE
Other names : also seen as GENERAL WAYNE
Official no. : none
Type at loss : sidewheel steamer, wood, passenger & package freight
Build info : 1837, Samuel Hubbell, Perrysburgh, OH
Specs : 155x26x10, 400 t.
Date of loss : 1850, Apr 28
Place of loss : 8 mi N of Vermilion, OH
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : explosion
Loss of life : 22, 39 or 69 [her clerk said there were 80 to 100 persons aboard and no more than 30 survived]
Carrying : passengers, 300 bbl of wine and liquor, cattle and/or horses (some sources say she had gold & silver specie aboard as well)
Detail : While she was underway, her two starboard boilers exploded and the vessel caught fire. She sank in 15 minutes. Fire was probably fed by her cargo. Many attested to her seaworthiness and the safety of her machinery, and the cause of the explosion remains a mystery. She was a total loss of $29,000. Remains broken up in 1851. Owned by Chas. Howard and Capt. Eugene Gore of Detroit.
Extensively rebult in 1848-9, received new boilers and was and re-engined with the engine from the steamer COLUMBUS (qv). One widely reported innovation in her passenger accomodation was the provision of mattresses for her steerage passengers.
Rebuilt at Detroit in 1849 by D.W. Donahue
Sources : eas,rkr,hgl,lhl,ttgl,sol,le,is,h,ledc,nsp,wl,bc,ew
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J.C. WEATHERLY – former entry deleted (1894) – vessel was raised and rebuilt as JOHN H. FARLEY
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NETTA WEAVER
Other names : also seen as NETTIE and NETT WEAVER
Official no. : 18089
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1865, Rogers, Toledo or Milan, OH
Specs : 310 t.
Date of loss : 1877, Oct 4
Place of loss : 50 mi W of Kincardine, Ont.
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 2 of 8
Carrying : iron ore
Detail : Bound Lake Superior for Cleveland, she wrecked in a storm, a total loss. Survivors pulled through the gale in an open yawl to Kincardine in 18 hours. A crewman and a passenger were drowned. She was on her first trip after a season-long layup. Out of Cleveland. Master: Capt. W. H. Reynolds.
Sources : mv,hgl,slh,h,nsp,win,usls,es,wl
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WEAZEL or WEASEL
Other names :
Official no. : none
Type at loss : sloop, wood
Build info : ca. 1786, Detroit?
Specs : “small”
Date of loss : 1798
Place of loss : near Southampton, Ont
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : stranded
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : supplies
Detail : Ashore and wrecked while transporting supplies to settlements along the Bruce coast. Owned by John Askin. Her anchors was apparently recovered a few years later. A small vessel located in the area and excavated in 2002 may be her. The excavation, carried out by archaeologist Ken Cassavoy and a group from Trent University, included a small cannon and wreckage of a small schooner.
One source says this stranding was only temporary and the vessel continued to operate until at least 1818, maybe ‘til 1838
Sources : hgl,wl,ll
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B.L. WEBB
Other names : hull later used for propeller MARQUETTE
Official no. : none
Type at loss : propeller, wood, package and bulk freight
Build info : 1856, J.A. Jenkins*, Detroit
Specs : 183x36x16, 856 t.
Date of loss : 1856, Nov 13
Place of loss : Waiska Bay, just W of Soo
Lake : Superior
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 1
Carrying : supplies for Marquette
Detail : She stranded and later burned. She was only 47 days old at the time and was a $50,000 loss. One man froze to death in the accident. The gutted hull was recovered the next year and rebuilt as above.
*at the shipyard of G. B. Russell
Sources : hgl,lssc,gwgl,is,lhl,lss,mpl,wl,nsp,blu(56)
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H.J. WEBB
Other names : none
Official no. : 11985
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 3-mast
Build info : 1869, Nichols, Vermilion, OH
Specs : 167x28x11, 432g 410n
Date of loss : 1901, Nov 10
Place of loss : Darch Island, North Channel near Gore Bay
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm/fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : lumber
Detail : Tow of the prop PORTER CHAMBERLAIN, she broke loose in a gale and went hard aground. Burned to a total loss the 13th along with the CHAMBERLAIN. Manager: W. D. Smith.
Major repairs in 1878 and 84.
Sources : mv,phr,polk,nsp,ns1,do2
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JOHN WEBBER
Other names : also seen as JOHN WEBER
Official no. : 12970
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1856, C. Hinman, Black River, Oh
Specs : 93x24x10, 153 t.
Date of loss : 1875, Oct 5
Place of loss : near Escanaba, Mich
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : hull failure
Loss of life : none mentioned
Carrying : iron ore
Detail : Left the harbor at Escanaba and soon began to leak. When it became apparent that she was going to sink, her skipper put her on the beach. Unfortunately there was a deep drop-off at the point and though her bow was on a bar, her stern was in 40 feet of water. The vessel broke in two and was reported abandoned on the 13th after a general storm swept the area.
Owned by Wex, Buffalo.
Rebuilt, 1870 and heavy repairs after going ashore on Lake Erie in spring of the same year.
Sources : nsp,wl,rsl,mv,hgl,bb,wgts
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DANIEL WEBSTER – See LUCY AUCHARD. WEBSTER may have been wrecked in 1859 or 60.
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EMILY P. WEED – See SEVONA
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JOHN WEEDEN
Other names : also seen as WEDEN, WEEDIN
Official no. : 12792
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1857, J.F. Squires, Huron, OH
Specs : 269 t.
Date of loss : 1869, Oct 27
Place of loss : off Devil’s Nose, near Pultneyville, NY
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : none
Carrying : corn
Detail : Having left Chicago for Ogdensburg, NY early in the month , she had suffered a collision with the bark FAVORITE off Sheboygan, WI, while the vessels were on cross-tacks on October 15. After $600 repairs, the vessel had proceeded to Lake Ontario and collided with the Canadian schooner ORION in a blizzard, just out of Niagara. The crew jumped aboard the ORION just before the two vessels parted, but the captain and mate returned for the ship’s papers before abandoning. The wreck of the WEEDEN blew ashore at Fairbanks’ Point, 2 miles E of Pultneyville, and was broken up by Nov. 2. Out of Detroit.
Major repairs in 1863, 66.
Sources : nsp,rp,mv,hgl,bb,rsl,mdwl,wmn
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WEEGEE
Other names : none
Official no. : 80119
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1865, Cleveland
Specs : 57x13x4, 22g
Date of loss : 1877
Place of loss : unreported
Lake : unreported
Type of loss : (storm)
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : No detail. Document surrendered at Port Huron 6/30/1879, annotated “wrecked in 1877.” Out of Wenona [Bay City], Mich.
Rebuilt at Detroit, 1870, out of Trenton in 1872
Sources : phr,mv,bb
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CHARLES H. WEEKS
Other names : none
Official no. : 33938
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1873, G. King, Marine City, MI
Specs : 134x26x11, 324 gt
Date of loss : 1889, Oct 6
Place of loss : Pt. Edward, just N of Port Huron
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 1 [died later from injuries sustained when she went aground]
Carrying : lumber
Detail : She broke away from the steambarge SALINE and went ashore, a total loss. Her crew was rescued by local fishermen.
Owned out of Au Sable, MI by Potts
Sources : phr,polk,hmc,nsp,slh,h,st
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G. S. WEEKS
Other names : maybe G. W. WEEKS or maybe renamed GEORGE S. or GEORGE W. WEEKS; also seen as WICKS
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1835, Clayton, NY
Specs : 117 t.
Date of loss : 1855, Oct 11
Place of loss : at Pere Marquette [Ludington]
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : lumber
Detail : Wrecked by a storm while loading a cargo of lumber bound for Chicago. She was reported a total loss of $3,000.
Prob. rebuilt 1845 Pt. Peninsula
Sources : hgl,wmn,wmhs,bb,hr,,mmo
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A. WEHRLE, Jr. – See ROTARIAN
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WELCOME
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : armed sloop, wood, 1-mast
Build info : 1775, Fort Michilimackinac [Mackinaw City], MI
Specs : 60 ft, 45 t.
Date of loss : 1787, fall [1781 also given]
Place of loss : Straits of Mackinac
Lake : Hur/Mich
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : all
Carrying : ?
Detail : Foundered in a storm.
Parts were later recovered and reside at historic Fort Michilimackinac.
A replica of her was built by saltwater shipbuilders in the 1970’s, was later retired because of rot, but is being rebuilt as of 1996.
Sources : nsp,is,slh,mpl
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WELCOME
Other names : none
Official no. : 80675
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1878, A. Johnson, Fort Howard, WI as pass/pkg steamer
Specs : 120x25x8, 306gt 239nt
Date of loss : 1903, Sep 16
Place of loss : 2 mi W of Charlevoix harbor entrance
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : She stranded in the boulder-studded shallows and pounded to pieces after a salvage attempt failed.
Originally a 100x19x8, 98gt passenger steamer, rebuilt and enlarged in 1893, converted to a small bulker in 1900
Image from Charlevoix Historical Society
Sources : ns1,hgl,polk,mv,is,lmdc,mpl
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WELCOME
Other names : none
Official no. : 208354
Type at loss : gas screw fish tug, wood
Build info : 1906, Cheboygan, Mich
Specs : 36x10x5, 13g 9n
Date of loss : 1913, Sep 29
Place of loss : Cheboygan R., Mich
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : gear
Detail : Caught fire and burned to a total loss. Out of Grand Haven. Listed in MV losses for 1913-4, but other sources show her abandoned in 1922.
Sources : mv,hr
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WELLAND
Other names : none
Official no. : C none
Type at loss : sidewheel steamer, wood, passenger & package freight
Build info : 1853, St. Catharines, Ont.
Specs : 145×25, 300 t.
Date of loss : 1856, Aug 15
Place of loss : Port Dalhousie, Ont.
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : (none) in use as an excursion boat
Detail : Reported as a “fine steamer,” she burned to a total loss at her dock. The fire originated in her foc’sl, but the cause was not known. The vessel was cut loose and drifted out to a bar in the lake, where she burned out. Owned by Port Dalhousie and Thorold RR Co. Master: Capt. Donaldson.
Later replaced by the steamer BLUE BONNET.
Sources : hgl,csv,mmgl,clu,glss,nsp,rnc
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WELLAND
Other names : ?
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1845, Oswego, NY
Specs : 220 g
Date of loss : 1857, Nov 11
Place of loss : 10 miles off Waukegan, Ill
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 8 [all]
Carrying : lumber
Detail : She capsized in a gale and foundered with all hands.
Sunk at Port Maitland, Ont., in Nov of 1853.
Sources : osdo,hgl,nsp
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WILLIAM WELLHOUSE
Other names : none
Official no. : 26241
Type at loss : scow-schooner, wood
Build info : 1867, Roswell B. Hayes, Fairport, OH
Specs : 84 t.
Date of loss : 1880, Oct 15
Place of loss : Manhattan Mills, near Toledo, OH
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : 1
Carrying : stone
Detail : She collided with Canadian schooner JANE C WOODRUFF and sank quickly. She was raised by wrecker S. A Murphy in the summer of 1882, but there is no record that she ever sailed again.
Sources : mv,h,usls,wl,nsp
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WELLINGTON
Other names : none seen in press and insurance records as WILLINGTON
Official no. : 26224
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1855, I. Nicholas, Vermilion, OH
Specs : 128x24x10, 225gt
Date of loss : 1867, Sep 14
Place of loss : Skillagallee Shoal
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : 14,000 bu wheat
Detail : She drove onto the reef and broke up while bound Chicago for Goderich. She had just been repaired at Chicago following a major leak a week before.
Sources : mv,ssm,slh,nsp,wl,rsl
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C. W. WELLS
Other names : none
Official no. : 126244
Type at loss : propeller tug, wood
Build info : 1883, Lester, Marine City, Mich
Specs : 66x14x7, 38g 19n
Date of loss : 1897, Oct 16
Place of loss : near Bar Point
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : none
Detail : Discovered to be afire when near the Bar Point lightship. The fire got out of control despite the crew’s efforts and they abandoned her in her raft. Despite the presence of other vessels, no one came to assist, and they had to make it to shore on their own. The hulk was later towed in to Amherstburg. She had had another small fire and a collision earlier in the same season.
Owned by Capt. Horne (Horne Bros.) of Detroit.
Rebuilt in the winter of 1896-7
Sources : jb,es,hgl,mv,nsp
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CHANDLER J. WELLS
Other names : none
Official no. : 4274
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 3-mast
Build info : 1866, Quayle & Martin, Cleveland as a bark
Specs : 175x33x13, 549gt 521nt
Date of loss : 1884, Nov 20
Place of loss : Whiskey Island Reef, Beavers
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : navigational error
Loss of life : none of 8
Carrying : lumber
Detail : She ran aground in the dark while picking her way through Beavers in tow of steamer KEYSTONE, then broke up in a storm the 24th and 25th. Two men who were left aboard as watchmen almost perished. She was a total loss. Bound Manistique, MI, for Tonawanda. She was finally given up as a total loss in June of the following year. Reg out of Port Huron
Sources : phr,polk,mv,h,lmdc,usls,es,nsp
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DAVID A. WELLS
Other names : none
Official no. : 6635
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast*
Build info : 1866, A. Muir, Port Huron, MI
Specs : 134x26x12, 310gt
Date of loss : 1880, Oct 16
Place of loss : 7 mi NE of Chicago harbor
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 8
Carrying : iron ore
Detail : She foundered in the SE gale known as “the ALPENA Storm.” Tug LITTLE GIANT, seeing her signal from shore, went out to pick her up, but the schooner’s lights disappeared before she arrived. Owned out of Chicago, bound Escanaba for Chicago. In 1889 a spar suddenly appeared above the surface at her presumed loss location and it was thought that the vessel had righted herself on the bottom. Master: Capt. John Thierkauff(d).
*In 1871 she was reported as a 3-master.
Ashore near Silver Creek, NY in the fall of 1873 and abandoned.
Sources : phr,hgl,nsp,h,lmdc,usls
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FRED L. WELLS
Other names : none
Official no. : 9162
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1856, Fred L. Wells, Port Huron, MI*
Specs : 98x19x8, 118gt
Date of loss : 1868, Nov 2
Place of loss : near Port Bruce, Ont
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none mentioned
Carrying : ?
Detail : She was driven ashore and wrecked.
Out of Buffalo, owned by Cash & Dingman.
Her first skipper was Edmund Fitzgerald.
Another schooner of this name was built in 1875
*Built on the hull of the Canadian schooner JOHN L. RANNEY, built by L. Shickluna at St. Catharines in 1849
Sources : mv,sagl,hgl,wl,rsl,nsp,wmn
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FRED L. WELLS
Other names : none
Official no. : 120246
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1875, Augustus Fraser, New Jerusalem, Ohio
Specs : 80x22x7, 79 t.
Date of loss : 1900, Nov 6
Place of loss : 4 mi E of Oswego, NY
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : light
Detail : Bound Sackett’s Harbor for Oswego, she went ashore in a norther and was wrecked. Her crew was taken off by the Osewgo U.S. Lifesaving crew.
Sources : wmn,bb,nsp
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HATTIE WELLS
Other names : none
Official no. : 11609
Type at loss : schooner-barge, wood, 3-mast
Build info : 1867, Stewart & Fitzgerald, Port Huron
Specs : 164x28x11, 376g 357n
Date of loss : 1912, Nov 6
Place of loss : off St. Joseph, MI
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : lumber
Detail : While in tow of the tug JAMES H. MARTIN, she was caught in a heavy gale and foundered. The crew abandoned her by being dragged one by one to the MARTIN by hand line.
Nearly destroyed by fire at Marysville, Mich, Oct 12, 1907; wrecked and declared lost in 1892 near Point Pelee, and not rescued until the following July. Her official document was surrendered and the vessel declared a total lossafter both accidents.
Built for Wells & Fitzgerald of Port Huron
Orig 135x26x11, enlarged and rebuilt in 1885
Sources : polk,ns2,phr,mv,eas,h,lotl,es
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LEWIS WELLS
Other names : also seen as JARVIS WELLS, LOUIS WELLS
Official no. : 14619
Type at loss : schooner-barge, wood
Build info : 1857, Lewis Wells, Vermilion, OH
Specs : 123x26x10, 209gt
Date of loss : 1879, Nov 19
Place of loss : near Sand Beach [Harbor Beach], MI
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 2 or 4
Carrying : lumber
Detail : She was driven ashore and pounded to pieces in a gale..
Out of E. Saginaw [W. Ogden]
Sources : phr,mv,slh,usls,rsl,wl
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WEND THE WAVE
Other names : none
Official no. : 26836
Type at loss : schooner-barge, 2-mast
Build info : 1867, Rugby or Bugbee, Ashtabula, OH
Specs : 128x28x10, 250gt 239nt
Date of loss : 1889, Oct 6
Place of loss : Pelee Passage
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : 1
Carrying : coal
Detail : She was rammed by the schooner J.D. SAWYER in a storm and sank quickly. She’d been in tow of the steamer GLASGOW with 3 others. The cook failed to come on deck as the others abandoned ship but the SAWYER, refused to come back to look for her. WAVE’s crew, minus the cook, were picked up by the tug WRIGHT. Owned by Hollywood, Bay City, Mich. Master: Capt. Heron.
Rebuilt, 1882
Sources : phr,polk,nsp,www,es,ew
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WENONA
Other names : none
Official no. : 26169
Type at loss : schooner-barge, wood
Build info : 1857, Luther Moses, Cleveland as a pass. & pkg frt propeller
Specs : 193x30x11, 496g 471n
Date of loss : 1898, Sep 7
Place of loss : near entrance to Portage Ship Canal
Lake : Superior
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : She was cast adrift in a storm from steamer GARDEN CITY and stranded. She lay on the beach until wrecked by gale waves, in Sep, 1900. The skipper and his wife, her owners, stayed aboard for months in the hope she would be rescued, but she was finally abandoned in November. Registered out of Buffalo, owned by Martha Smith..
Converted from prop to schooner barge in spring, 1877
Major repair in 1878
Image of vessel as a wreck from GLMD
Sources : nsp,mv,polk,hgl,lhl,gwgl,lss,mpl
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ROBERT C. WENTE
Other names : none
Official no. : 110778
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1888, Linn & Craig, Gibraltar, MI hull #35-C
Specs : 141x30x11, 336g 267n
Date of loss : 1927, Jul 1
Place of loss : unreported
Lake : St Clair R
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : Burned to a total loss.
She became a major salvage project after sinking on Lake Michigan in 1911
Sources : mv,eas,ns3,h,mpl,eas
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J.S. WESCOAT – See WILLIAM R. LINN
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WESEE
Other names : built as prop ORION, renamed in 1918
Official no. : C138574
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1901, Green Bay Vessel Co., Green Bay, WI [US# 155401]
Specs : 266x42x25, 1829gc
Date of loss : 1923, Nov 12
Place of loss : Middle Sister Isl.
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : She was discovered to be afire while battling heavy seas. She beached on Middle Sister and burned to the waterline. Her crew abandoned in her yawl boats.
One of last large wooden vessels built.
Sold Canadian, 1921
Orig 283x42x18, 2386g. Deepened at 1918 rebuild.
Sources : mmgl,csv,mv,ns3,ledc,mpl,do2,ew
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GEORGE W. WESLEY
Other names : none
Official no. : 39119
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1867, J. Foulks, E. Saginaw
Specs : 109x28x8, 136g
Date of loss : 1901, Sep 19
Place of loss : Off Presque Isle, MI
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : lumber
Detail : She sprung a leak and began to founder, so her crew decided to abandoned and were rescued by the tug CASTLE. Buoyed by her lumber cargo, the schooner eventually drifted ashore above Presque Isle light.
Ashore and considered a total loss near Presque Isle, PA in Nov, 1880. See ELDORADO.
Rebuilt in 1871.
Sources : vbs,nsp,mv,hgl,phr
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JOHN WESLEY
Other names : none
Official no. : 75491
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1872, Bailey Bros, Toledo
Specs : 135x26x12, 302g 287n
Date of loss : 1901, Sep 7
Place of loss : near Harbor Beach, MI
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : lumber
Detail : Blinded by forest fire smoke, she was driven ashore in a gale and declared a constructive total loss. Abandoned. She had been bound Cheboygan, Mi, for Buffalo.
Driven ashore, wrecked and called a total loss on Windmill Pt. near Buffalo, Sep 25, 1883.
Ashore and abandoned near Marquette in the great storm of Oct 28, 1892.
Capsized off Pte Aux Barques, L Huron with $5000 damage, 1894.
Major repair in 1882
Sources : hgl,mv,polk,ns1,nsp,ledc,phr,usls,mpl,sip
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WEST SIDE
Other names : none
Official no. : 80115
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1870, G. Goble, Oswego, NY
Specs : 138x26x12, 324g 308n
Date of loss : 1906, Oct 27
Place of loss : 25 mi E of Thunder Bay Isl, MI
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none of 6
Carrying : pulpwood
Detail : Bound Tobermory for Delray, Ont., she ran into a storm and fought it for 2 days before foundering. The skipper, his wife and a crew consisting of his three sons were rescued by passing steel steamer FRANK H. PEAVY. She had stranded with damage near Parry Sound earlier the same month. Owner and master: Capt. Youngs.
Wrecked in the Welland Canal with heavy damage in 1884. Ashore and damaged near Oswego in November, 1873.
Sources : nsp,hgl,mv,eas,osdo,ns1,tel,mpl,wmn,rp
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B. WEST
Other names : none
Official no. : 162514
Type at loss : self-propelled lumber barge, steel [shows in some sources as a gas screw and was powered by two large outboard motors]
Build info : 1905, Buffalo
Specs : 100x24x6, 122g 122n
Date of loss : 1957, Dec 16
Place of loss : near mouth of Grand Traverse Bay, MI
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : unreported
Loss of life : none of 2
Carrying : lumber
Detail : Bound North Manitou Island for Leland, Michigan when she ran into heavy weather. After she began taking water, her bilge pump failed and she began to sink. Her crewmen were taken off by the Coast Guard and the vessel was taken in tow for Northport, but she foundered 1.5 mi, 69 degrees from Grand Traverse Light station. [45 deg 13′ 00″ N, 85 deg 38′ 40″ W]. Owned by Perry Hammond, Muskegon, who planned to raise her in 1958. The wreck was located in the summer of 2011 by Northwestern Michigan College students.
Sources : eas,wmhs,bb,mv,cn
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D.C. WEST – See THERESA
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N. C. WEST
Other names : none
Official no. : 18356
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast “sailing hooker”
Build info : 1867, M A Skinner, Fremont, Ohio
Specs : 104x26x7, 145g 138n
Date of loss : 1898, Nov 9
Place of loss : St Clair R just below Southeast Bend
Lake : St Clair R
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : Tow of the steamer WALULLA, she collided with the steamer CONTINENTAL, then was sunk by another collison with the steamer SACRAMENTO. Her bow was cut completely off. The remains of the wreck were reportedly removed in 1941. It had been her 2nd collision in the St. Clair River that year.
Wrecked and reported total loss on Long Point, Lake Erie, Nov, 1874, but recovered by the tug COMPOUND.
Sources : hgl,eas,rsl,mv,wmn,bb,wms,st,nsp
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J. W. WESTCOTT II
Other names : none
Official no. : 258859
Type at loss : steel motor tug, mail and pilot boat
Build info : 1949, Paasch Marine Services, Erie, Pa
Specs : 44x13x4, 14g 9n
Date of loss : 2001, Oct 23
Place of loss : off Old Rouge River mouth, Zug Isl.
Lake : Detroit R.
Type of loss : swamped
Loss of life : 2 of 4
Carrying : pilots
Detail : The famous mailboat was making a routine transfer of a pilot to the Norwegian tanker SIDSEL KNUTSEN, upbound with gasoline. The tug apparently got caught in the freighter’s wash , swamped and reportedly sank in 20 seconds. Two members of her crew went down with the vessel, while two river pilots were located by the tanker and rescued by the tug STORMONT. The tug was found upsidedown on the bottom the same day and preparations were being made to raise her immediately, as she lay in the center of the shipping channel at a relatively shallow depth. She was raised on Oct 29.
The tug had been tranferring mail and pilots on the Detroit River since being built, as part of the “mail-by-pail” delivery service begun in the 19th century and provided by the J. W. Westcott Co. since 1895.
Sources : nsp,ns,hcgl
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WESTERN
Other names : built as steamer CYNTHIA McGREGOR (also seen as just CYNTHIA), renamed 1838*
Official no. : C none
Type at loss : sidewheel steamer, wood, passenger & package freight
Build info : 1833, D. McGregor, Chatham, Ont.
Specs : “small”
Date of loss : 1842, Apr 27
Place of loss : at Detroit, MI
Lake : Detroit R
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : She burned to the waterline. In use as a ferry on the Detroit R at the time.
Also burned at Malden in Oct, 1838, while bound Amherstberg for Sandwich, Ont.
*one report says the hull was from the schooner ROB ROY.
Sources : csv,hgl,hdm,nsp,mmgl
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WESTERN METROPOLIS
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : bark, wood former sidewheeler
Build info : 1856, Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo
Specs : (340x40x14, 1861 t. as sidewheeler)
Date of loss : 1864, Oct (8)
Place of loss : off Calumet, IL
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : She stranded and wrecked, being pounded to pieces by the 12th. Master (1863): Capt. C. P. Morey. Several sources erroneously say she was wrecked at “Calumet, Michigan, Lake Michigan.”
Converted from sidewheeler to a bark and reduced in size in 1863. Even so, she was reported at the time as the largest sail vessel on the lakes, in terms of capacity.
Sources : lhl,hgl,sol,mpl,rsl,nsp
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WESTERN RESERVE
Other names : none
Official no. : 81294
Type at loss : propeller, steel, bulk freight
Build info : 1890, Cleveland Ship Building Co., Cleveland
Specs : 301x41x25, 2392g 1965n
Date of loss : 1892, Aug 30
Place of loss : off Deer Park, MI
Lake : Superior
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 26 of 27
Carrying : light
Detail : She broke in two and sank in a relatively mild gale. She was one of the first steel steamers built for use on the lakes and her loss to hull failure caused a great furor and eventually new laws for the testing of steel for shipbuilding. Of her two boats, one capsized near shore, and the other was never seen again. Capt. Peter Minch (the owner) and most of his family were lost. USLS crewmen on beach patrol ultimately recovered 16 bodies. Master: Capt. Albert Myers(d).
Sources : lssc,hgl,is(4-64),gwgl,lss,glss,lol,sol,mv,wb,mpl,usls,eas,nsp
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WESTERN STAR
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1854, Bliss, Sheboygan
Specs : 102x28x9, 320 t.
Date of loss : 1854, Nov 6
Place of loss : near Goderich, Ont.
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : wheat
Detail : She was driven ashore near Kettle Point and wrecked in a storm, a total loss of $16,000. She had been bound for Buffalo. Master: Capt. Beels. Owned by A.P. Lyman of Sheboygan, Wis.
Sources : hgl,slh,nsp,dem ,wl,wmn
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WESTERN STAR
Other names : later GLENISLA(’17) and PRESCOTT(’26)[C138214]
Official no. : 200376
Type at loss : propeller, steel, bulk freight
Build info : 1903, Detroit Shipbuilding, Wyandotte, MI hull# 155
Specs : 416x50x29, 4764g 3593n
Date of loss : 1905, Nov 28
Place of loss : off 14-mile Pt, W side of Keweenaw
Lake : Superior
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : light
Detail : She was driven ashore by the “Big Blow” of 1905. Declared total loss, she was later recovered.
Driven ashore and wrecked Sep 24, 1915 on Clapperton Isl, N. Channel and declared a total loss, but recovered after a 2-year salvage effort and sold Canadian, 1917
Lengthened 72′ in 1924, scrapped in 1963
Sources : ns5,eas,is(1-68),gwgl,glss,lol,lssc,slh,mv,lss
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WESTERN STATES
Other names : none
Official no. : 81811
Type at loss : sidewheel steamer, steel, passenger
Build info : 1902, Detroit Shipbuilding, Wyandotte hull# 145
Specs : 350x44x20, 3077g 1566n
Date of loss : 1959, Mar 21
Place of loss : Tawas City, MI
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : none
Detail : The retired D&C liner had been docked at Tawas as a floating hotel (“flotel”) since 1955. The venture was a financial failure, and during dismantling, she caught fire and was gutted [possible arson]. She gave several tugs much trouble while being towed to Bay City to be cut up.
As a passenger steamer, she had a crew of 136
Sources : mw,is,mv,ns4,a&f,modoc,mpl
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WESTERN TRADER
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1836, W. Treat, Conneaut, Oh
Specs : 59x18x6, 53 t. om
Date of loss : 1845, Nov 22
Place of loss : above Buffalo
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none mentioned
Carrying : flour, provisions
Detail : She was reported wrecked in a gale about 9 miles west of Buffalo. Possibly owned by Treat, McHarry & O’Conner, Buffalo. Master: Capt. Banta or Barton.
Capsized near Cleveland in 1837; ahore near Chicago in 1839 and again near Grand River (Fairport) in 1842.
Sources : glmd,hr,wl,wmn
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WESTFORD
Other names : none
Official no. : 80068
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight “rabbit”
Build info : 1869, A.A. Turner, Trenton, MI
Specs : 134x26x12, 302g 224n
Date of loss : 1904, May 27
Place of loss : Robbins’ Shoal, near John’s Isl., Geo. Bay
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : light
Detail : She ran ashore on the reef after dropping her tow of two barges at John’s Island to load. She was hung up with her bow four feet out and her stern dangling over 40 feet of water. Despite the efforts of the tug BOSCOBEL, she broke in three pieces and went down. The tug ANTIC removed her crew. Owned by J. J. Boland of Cleveland. Master: Capt. John Griffith.
Some sources say she burned, in error.
Major repairs in 1880, 1882
Sources : hgl,mv,lol,mol,ns1,mpl,nsp
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WESTMORELAND
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : propeller, wood, passenger & package freight
Build info : 1853, Lafrenier & Stevenson, Cleveland
Specs : 200x28x12, 665 t.
Date of loss : 1854, Dec 7-8
Place of loss : Manitou Passage*
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 17
Carrying : supplies for Mackinac Is – wheat, flour and barrelled beef
Detail : She capsized and foundered due to heavy weather and an overload of ice in her superstructure. She sank one of her own lifeboats as she went down. The survivors were picked up by the schooner WHIRLWIND. She was reportedly carrying liquor and $100,000 in gold. Divers have looked for her and her treasure often, but cargo and safe were probably recovered in 1872 or 4. Owned primarily by Anson D. Ellis, Buffalo (Ellis & Ball). Master: Capt. Thomas Clark.
*Location given variously as Sleeping Bear Pt, Platte Bay, North and South Manitou.
Sources : ssb,nb,hgl,eas,lhl,is(1-61),gs,sol,lmdc,lsp,h,sb,nsp,eh,mpl,wl ,rnc
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A. WESTON – See CONGERCOAL
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I. M. WESTON
Other names : none
Official no. : 100325
Type at loss : propeller, wood, pass & frt, former fruit boat
Build info : 1883, Duncan Robertson, Grand Haven
Specs : 97x18x8, 95g 58n
Date of loss : 1902, Sep 4
Place of loss : Chicago River
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : none
Detail : She burned to a total loss in Chicago harbor. She had been running excursions up and down the Chicago R, but was laid up for repairs at the time of the fire. Owner: Chicago Drainage Canal Transportation Co., Chicago.
Built as passenger steamer, later a fruit boat, then back to passenger work.
Sources : hgl,mv,polk,is,nsp,mpl,bbas
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LUTHER WESTOVER
Other names : none
Official no. : 120577
Type at loss : sidewheel tug, wood, logging tug
Build info : 1877, F. Wheeler, W. Bay City hull# 2?
Specs : 107x22x6, 126g 102n
Date of loss : 1881, Sep 6
Place of loss : Au Gres River, Saginaw Bay
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : none
Detail : Struck a rock and sank in shallow water, later burned to a near-total loss. She was abandoned to her underwriter but was later recovered.
According to official records she was sold Canadian in 1894 [C#96845] and scrapped in 1903, but other sources say she came into Can. Registry in 1898, and there are newspaper articles from Bay City in 1897 saying that she was lyuing there rotting and was expected to be dismantled.
Sources : vbs,polk,hgl,mv,csv,slh,nsp
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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.
Sources : mv,ns1,slh,lhdc,mpl,bb,do,es,nsp
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RUDOLPH WETZEL
Other names : none
Official no. : 21944
Type at loss : propeller steam tug, wood
Build info : 1870, Geo. Notter, Buffalo
Specs : 23 t.
Date of loss : 1882, Oct 28
Place of loss : 3 miles off Oak Creek, WI
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : explosion
Loss of life : 3 [all]
Carrying : none
Detail : Her boiler exploded and she sank with all hands in 7 fathoms. She apparently had been racing for a tow with the tug HENRY S. SILL, which was just along side when she went up. Out of Racine Owner/master: Capt. Frank F. Lovell.
MAY have been recovered, still in ’84 mv but not polk. Last known registration document issued in April, 1877.
Sources : hgl,mv,h,nsp,usls,mpl,rp
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WEXFORD
Other names : built as WEXFORD, renamed ELISE in 1890, named WEXFORD again in 1894.
Official no. : C87342
Type at loss : propeller, steel, bulk freight “3-island”
Build info : 1883, Doxford and Sons, Sunderland, Eng. hull# 145
Specs : 250x40x17, 2104 gt
Date of loss : 1913, Nov 10
Place of loss : 8.6 mi NNE of Grand Bend, Ont.
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 17 [all] [numbers up to 24 also given]
Carrying : steel rails [9600 bu grain]
Detail : Bound Thunder Bay, Ont., for Goderich, she was caught in the “Big Storm” of 1913, considered by many to be the most violent in the history of lakes shipping. She was overwhelmed and sank with all hands. Owned by Western Steamship Co., Toronto. Master: Capt. Bruce Cameron(d).
She was finally discovered, upright and intact, August 25, 2000, though other claims of her discovery had been made as early as 1975.
Sources : is(3-71,2-75),gsgl,mol,sol,ttgl,ns2,h,lhdc,win,mpl,eas,pac,brb etc
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WHALE
Other names : built as carferry ANN ARBOR #2, renamed 1927
Official no. : 106984
Type at loss : barge, wood, bulk freight sandsucker
Build info : 1892, Craig Shipbuilding, Toledo as a carferry hull#56
Specs : 264x53x14, 1445gt
Date of loss : 1927
Place of loss : Just outside St. Clair Flats
Lake : St. Clair
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : sand
Detail : She collided with the bulker WILLIAM E. COREY, sank and was abandoned.
Rebuilt to barge, 1913
Image from GLMD.Image as a carferry, same source.
Sources : ns3,glc,mpl
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Whaleback – the following whalebacks were lost on the lakes: BARGE 104, BARGE 115, BARGE 129, CLIFTON, JAMES B. COLGATE, HENRY CORT, METEOR, SAGAMAORE, THOMAS WILSON
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EDWARD C. WHALEN
Other names : later JOHN McLEAN(1966) and ADANAC (1995)
Official no. : C134013
Type at loss : propeller tug, steel
Build info : 1913, Western Dry Dock Co., Port Arthur, Ont.
Specs : 76x19x10, 113 gc
Date of loss : 1954, Jun 8
Place of loss : off Corbiel Point
Lake : Superior
Type of loss : (storm)
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : none
Detail : Foundered, thought to be a total loss and documents surrendered, but later recovered. Raised in 1957 and towed to Fort William, Ont. Towed to Soo, Ont., where she was rebuilt from a steamer to a Diesel in the period 1958-66. Redocumented in 1966 as JOHN MCLEAN. Still operating for Purvis Marine out of Soo, Ont., in 2003 as ADANAC.
Rebuilt in 1998.
Also wrecked on Lake Superior Oct 17, 1947 in a storm.
Sources : mmgl,is,h,csv,win,hcgl
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W. J. WHALING
Other names : also seen as W. W. J. WHALING, WHITING
Official no. : 26364
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1857, J. M. Jones, Milwaukee
Specs : 136x24x11, 243g
Date of loss : 1873, Sep 25
Place of loss : near Grand Haven, Mich
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 1
Carrying : 3,000 bbl salt
Detail : She came to anchor off Grand Haven and dragged ashore in a gale. At first it was thought she could be rescued, but she was later given up as lost.
Sources : nsp,hgl,mpl,mv
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HENRY WHEATON
Other names : also seen as H. WHEATON
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1845, Oswego, NY
Specs : 200g
Date of loss : 1855, Oct 28
Place of loss : Off Long Point Cut
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 1
Carrying : corn
Detail : Bound Toledo for Oswego, she was driven ashore by a gale while attempting to enter Long Point Cut. She worked herself free, but was driven on a reef a second time. Her crew scrambled up her rigging as she went down, and were finally rescued from shore 17 hours later. Out of Oswego. Vessel & cargo were worth $22,000.
Ashore at the head of Lake Erie and expected to break up in April, 1854.
Sources : osdo,hgl,nsp,rnc,wl,wmn
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FRANK W. WHEELER
Other names : none
Official no. : 120577
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 3-mast
Build info : 1884, F. Wheeler, W. Bay City, MI hull #18?
Specs : 190x35x16, 797g 775n
Date of loss : 1885, Sep 29
Place of loss : off Grand Marais, MI
Lake : Superior
Type of loss : hull failure
Loss of life : none
Carrying : iron ore
Detail : She sprang a leak and foundered in foul weather. Probably sprung some of her strakes under a heavy load. She was a brand new vessel, in tow of the steamer KITTIE M. FORBES. Out of Port Huron, owned by Forbes. Master: Capt. Byron Armstrong. She was a loss of $45,000, a lot for a schooner of the day – equivalent to over a million today.
Sources : phr,lssc,nsp,lss,vbs,hgl,mr
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FRANK W. WHEELER
Other names : none also seen as F.W. WHEELER
Official no. : 120676
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1887, F. Wheeler, W. Bay City hull #31
Specs : 265x41x19, 1688g 1175n
Date of loss : 1893, Dec 3
Place of loss : 1 mile off shore and 3 mi E of Michigan City, Ind.
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : coal
Detail : Bound for Chicago, she went off course due to some derangement of her compass. She ran into a sandbar in a blinding blizzard and gale and sank there. Resting easy at first, she later broke in two and was pounded to pieces by the storm. Master: Capt. Geo. N. Trotter. Owner: D. Whitney, Jr., Detroit. Her machinery was recovered the next summer, though it later had to be rescued from 100 feet of water when the scow carrying it sank in a storm off Muskegon..
Image of her as a wreck from GLMD [Marine Review]
Sources : hgl,h,mv,lmdc,wb,mpl,nsp
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J.C. WHEELER
Other names : none
Official no. : C none
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1854, Waterburg, Port Dover, Ont.
Specs : 123x24x10, 253 t.
Date of loss : 1864, Oct 9
Place of loss : Salmon Point
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none mentioned
Carrying : lumber
Detail : She went ashore and was wrecked in a storm while on a trip to the Calvin & Breck shipyard, Kingston. Salvage attempts were unsuccessful and she was abandoned later in the month. Out of Port Dover, owned buy Lee & Waters.
Major repairs in 1861
Sources : mmgl,hgl,clu,wl,wmn,rn
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WILLIAM WHEELER
Other names : also seen as WILLIAM A. WHEELER
Official no. : 62873
Type at loss : schooner-barge, wood
Build info : 1884, Ogdensburg, NY
Specs : 309g 309n
Date of loss : 1893, Aug 29
Place of loss : 8 mi off Charlotte, NY
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : barley
Detail : She was the tow of the tug PROCTOR with the barges HAMILTON J. MILLS(qv) and JENNIE MATTHEWS(qv). The tow broke up and the tug frantically tried to re-assemble it. After MILLS sank, PROCTOR came back to the foundering WHEELER and took her crew off just before she went down in 55 feet of water.
Out of Ogdensburg, owned by Geo. Hall & Co.
Sources : h,nsp,wb,mv,mr
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GEORGE J. WHELAN
Other names : built as prop ERWIN L. FISHER, named PORT DE CAEN [British Reg.] in 1915, BAYERSHER [French Reg.] in 1922, CLAREMONT [Canadian Reg.] in 1923 & this name in 1930.
Official no. : 207617
Type at loss : propeller, steel, bulk freight sandsucker
Build info : 1910, Toledo Shipbuilding, Toledo hull #117
Specs : 220x40x17, 1430 t.
Date of loss : 1930, Jul 29
Place of loss : 6 mi off Dunkirk, NY
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : cargo shift
Loss of life : 15
Carrying : stone
Detail : Her cargo shifted and she capsized and foundered quickly.
Sunk on lakes in ’15, raised and went to salt for the war effort. Mined or torpedoed on East Coast in 1918. Raised and rebuilt, returned to lakes in ’19.
Rebuilt to a sandsucker, in 1930.
Sunk in a collison with the steamer STEVEN CLEMENT in the Detroit River in May of 1911. Three of her crew perished.
Sources : ns4,eas,ledc,s,sol,h,mpl,wmn
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WHIP
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1849, Luther Moses, Ohio City, Oh
Specs : 75x18x7, 77 t. om
Date of loss : 1865, Mar 21
Place of loss : St. Joseph, Mich
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 1
Carrying : lumber
Detail : She was driven on the beach in an early-season gale and wrecked, her skipper being drowned when he tried to rescue the female cook. Owned by her skipper, Nelson H. Blend(d); out of Milwaukee,
Sources : nsp,hgl,wl,lotl
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WHIRLWIND
Other names : none
Official no. : 26226
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1848, Justice Bailey, Racine, Wi
Specs : 102x22x8, 111g
Date of loss : 1876, Sep 10
Place of loss : a few miles south of Chicago
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none mentioned
Carrying : 100,000 bd ft lumber
Detail : Bound for Chicago, she was driven on a bar and wrecked off “Senator Doolittle’s House.” On the 20th it was reported that she was being dismantled in place. Owner/master: Capt. Henry Wilson, Chicago.
Sources : nsp,mv,hgl,wmhs,cbt,wls
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WHITE FOAM
Other names : none
Official no. : 80780
Type at loss : scow-schooner, wood
Build info : 1880, J. Gillingham, North Isl., MI
Specs : 46x13x4, 18g 18n
Date of loss : 1899, Sep 21
Place of loss : off Bois Blanc Isl. Straits
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : lumber
Detail : Foundered. No detail.
Sources : slh,h
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WHITE OAK
Other names : none
Official no. : 26914
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1867, Jackson & Elliott, Saugatuck, MI (or Allegan)
Specs : 105x27x7, 157g 149n
Date of loss : 1885, Oct 19
Place of loss : 5 mi S of Sheboygan, WI, harbor entrance
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none of 6
Carrying : railroad ties
Detail : Drove ashore, but there is little detail. Bound Kewaunee for Chicago. The cargo was salvaged, the vessel a total loss, and her crew was rescued by the lifesaving service. Registered out of Chicago
Sources : mv,polk,h,lmdc,usls,wl,nsp
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WHITE SQUALL
Other names : none
Official no. : 26248
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1852, John Oades, Clayton, NY
Specs : 131x25x10, 241 t.
Date of loss : 1872, Sep 30
Place of loss : 10 mi off Tawas Point
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : collision/storm
Loss of life : 7 of 8
Carrying : ?
Detail : Tow of tug PRINDIVILLE, she was caught in a storm. When the tow broke up, she collided with her towmate LIBBIE NAU and foundered. The crew abandoned in her yawl, but all but one were lost when it capsized near shore. There were 5 other barges in the tow.
Owned by H. Coyne of Detroit Master: Capt. David H. Stinson(d).
Rebuilt in 1867.
Sources : nsp,hgl,slh,wl
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WHITE STAR – former entry (1844) eliminated – no further evidence
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WHITE STAR
Other names : built as J. MARIA SCOTT, renamed in 1884
Official no. : 75610
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1874, G. Goble, Oswego, NY
Specs : 136x26x12, 349g 331n
Date of loss : 1887, Nov 24 (Dec 1 also given)
Place of loss : near Pt. Pelee
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : coal
Detail : She struck a bar , was driven over it by big waves and sank in the shallows in a gale and fog. The crew lashed themselves to the rigging until saved by local fishermen after 19 hours. The vessel was abandoned as unsalvagable, but was recovered the next year and rebuilt to a prop. See next entry. Her recovery was considered the greatest salvage feat of the time.
Owned by Cummings and Griffin, Oswego.
Sources : mv,tel,nsp,osdo,h,lhl,wb,hgl,sb,mpl,es3-1
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WHITE STAR
Other names : built as J. MARIA SCOTT, renamed in 1884
Official no. : 75610
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1874, G. Goble, Oswego, NY as a schooner
Specs : 136x27x12, 378g 281n
Date of loss : 1901, Mar 9
Place of loss : foot of Court St., Port Huron, MI
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : After a fire was discovered on board, her skipper ordered her scuttled to try and save her. It was too late – she burned to a constructive total loss. Her engine was later removed and installed in a tug by Jas. Reid.
Rebuilt from schooner to propeller bulker after an 1887 accident [see previous entry].
Sunk in a collision with the prop VANDERBILT near Star Island, St. Clair R., in May of 1899.
Image of her hulk after the fire, from GLMD
Sources : mv,tel,ns1,polk,osdo,lhl,phr,mpl,jb,es
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WHITE SWAN
Other names : none
Official no. : 222237
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight “rabbit”
Build info : 1922, Burger Boat, Manitowoc, WI
Specs : 81x23x8, 99g 87n
Date of loss : 1956, Nov 30
Place of loss : Ile Aux Galete (Skillagallee) Reef
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm/fog
Loss of life : none
Carrying : hardwood logs
Detail : She stranded on the reef in the western Straits, then slipped off and sank in deeper water a week later. Bound Lime Isl. for Petoskey. Her brand-new Kahlenberg diesel engine was later salvaged. Owned by Jack Price Lyons and Richard N, Lyons, Lorain, Oh.
Built for the White Swan Flour Co and carried their product for many years. She was also an occasional “Christmas Tree Ship.”
Sources : ssm,rkr,slh,h,mpl,eas,mv
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CLARA WHITE
Other names : none
Official no. : C none
Type at loss : scow-schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1871, Christopher Harris, Storrington, Ont. [also seen as “Lake Shore”]
Specs : 79x19x6, 63 t.
Date of loss : 1889, Nov 28
Place of loss : Grenadier Isl., near the head of the St. Lawrence
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : Burned to a total loss. Out of Kingston, owned by Capt. Bebiah
Major repairs in 1882.
Sources : mmgl,hgl,clu,nsp
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ELIZABETH WHITE
Other names : none
Official no. : 135077
Type at loss : propeller, wood (tug?)
Build info : 1873, E. Saginaw
Specs : 44x11x5, 11g
Date of loss : 1883
Place of loss : unreported
Lake : (Huron)
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : She was destroyed by fire. Document surrendered at Port Huron Dec 15, 1883, annotated “burned.”
Sources : phr,hgl,vbs
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ELLEN WHITE
Other names : none
Official no. : 7320
Type at loss : scow-schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1856, Peck & Masters, Cleveland
Specs : 103x25x7, 151 gt
Date of loss : 1870, Sep 21
Place of loss : 7-8 miles north of Avon Pt., OH
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : staves
Detail : Caught fire in the cabin during the night and was quickly consumed. She was bound Detroit for Buffalo and, after burning out, went down near the wreck of the COURTLAND(qv). Her crew, consisting of the captain, his wife and five men, escaped on her boat with only the clothes they were wearing. They made it to shore on Avon Pt., then pulled back out to the scow LIBERTY, which took them to Buffalo. The WHITE’s gear and some valuables were saved by the schooner ROBERT EMMETT while she was still ablaze. Owned by J. Hutchinson of Cleveland. Master: Capt. W. M. Robinson.
Major repairs in 1862
Sources : nsp,hgl,mv,wl,rsl
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FANNY WHITE
Other names : none also seen as FANNIE WHITE
Official no. : 120172
Type at loss : propeller steam tug, wood
Build info : 1862, Hitchcock & Gibson, Buffalo as a yacht
Specs : 53x12x4, 31 t.
Date of loss : 1877, Nov 27
Place of loss : Saginaw River 4 miles below Saginaw
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none of 2
Carrying : none
Detail : She caught fire while underway and burned to a total loss. She was run to the bank where her captain and engineer were able to escape. Document surrendered in June, 1878. Master/owner: Capt. Robert Ogden, Saginaw.
Lhl says she was abandoned in 1869 in error. Does not appear in 1869 mv, and may have been out of commission or unregistered as an inland vessel at that time period. Is shown in Port Huron Custom House records in 1870 and in 1877 mv and shows as a loss in ‘78. A newspaper article of Apr 23, 1869 says she was launched at E. Saginaw that year, and may have been out of commisioin for several years after an 1865 boiler explosion.
Damaged in a boiler explosion on the Saginaw River at Bay City in 1865. One life lost.
Sources : phr,hgl,lhl,nsp,mv
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KATE WHITE
Other names : none
Official no. : 14439
Type at loss : propeller steam tug and passenger vessel, wood
Build info : 1885, Loomis, Erie, PA as a yacht
Specs : 62x16x6, 28g 14n
Date of loss : 1907, Aug 18 (25th also given)
Place of loss : at Fairport, OH
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : none
Detail : She went out of control and sank near the harbor entrance.
Sources : mv,hgl,h,mpl,hcgl
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KIRK WHITE
Other names : none
Official no. : 14041
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1852, G. Barber, Milwaukee as a brig
Specs : 102x25x8, 124 t.
Date of loss : 1869, Oct 14
Place of loss : Saginaw Bay at Pinnepog [Sebewaing]
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : lumber
Detail : She waterlogged in a gale and sank between the piers.
Out of Detroit
Sunk at Milwaukee in Oct, 1852, and at Bois Blanc, Straits of Mackinaw, in 1856.
Converted brig to schooner about 1860.
Sources : mv,is,slh,nsp,hgl,bb,rnc,wmn,wmhs
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JUSTIN R. WHITING – See BESSEMER
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LULA WHITING – entry removed. Vessel was recovered from 1894 wreck, lasted to at least 1906.
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D.C. WHITNEY
Other names : none
Official no. : 157075
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1882, St. Clair, MI
Specs : 229x40x15, 1090g 1013n
Date of loss : 1905, Nov 25
Place of loss : Washington Isl. WI
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : She was driven on a reef and wrecked. Declared total loss, she was later recovered by Reid and rebuilt as the Canadian prop GARGANTUA(qv) [C122435, wrecked in 1912 and converted to barge. In 1920 she was converted for use as a drydock]. Member of the Gilchrist fleet.
Sources : mv,csv,eas,nsp,h,ns3
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DANIEL WHITNEY
Other names : ?
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : ?
Specs : ?
Date of loss : 1844, Aug 7 or 10
Place of loss : six miles off mouth of Kalamazoo R.
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm?
Loss of life : 4 [all]
Carrying : tanbark
Detail : She was found floating upside-down, with her crew missing and presumed dead. She had been bound for Chicago. Probably recovered, but no further record of her. Master: Capt. Crooker
Sources : hgl,sagl,bb,jm
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G. J. WHITNEY
Other names : also seen as GEO. F. WHITNEY, GEORGE J. WHITNEY
Official no. : 10794
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1867, Geo. Hardison, Charlotte, NY
Specs : 143x26x14, 340 t.
Date of loss : 1872, Sep 28
Place of loss : mid-lake
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : went missing
Loss of life : 8 [all]
Carrying : 23,700 bu. corn
Detail : She sailed away into fine weather but encountered a huge gale and was never heard from again. She was not reported as passing the Straits, so probably foundered in mid-Lake Michigan. Her skipper had reportedly flown his ensign upside-down [a distress signal] at Chicago the day before she left on her final trip. This was her first trip following major repairs from a grounding in August (see below). Master: Capt. Wellington Carpenter(d). Owned by Hosea Rogers, Rochester, NY.
She went ashore on Sugar Island in Sep, 1871 with no loss of life. Wreckers abandoned her for the winter after trying to release her for more than a month. She was finally “got up” the next June, but was back ashore again in late August, near Vermilion, Oh, on her first trip after major repairs. Recovered again in September and went back to the dry dock..
Sources : glss,sol,wm2,hgl,nsp,mv,wl,wmn
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GEORGE J. WHITNEY – See PERRY
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GRACE WHITNEY
Other names : none
Official no. : 10239
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1866, Roderick Calkins, Gibraltar, MI
Specs : 141x26x12, 290g 275n
Date of loss : 1910, Jul 30
Place of loss : a couple miles off Bar Pt, on the approach to Det.
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : 2
Carrying : coal
Detail : Tow of steamer MAINE, with barge URANUS and F.M. KNAPP, she was rammed by the 250-ft steel bulker OGDENSBURG and sank. Bound Sandusky, Oh, for Port Huron. The wife and 10-year old son of the captain were lost. Master: Capt. Ross Heath.
Ashore near Fort Gratiot in October, 1903 and declared lost, but later salvaged by a large crew of workers.
Rebuilt, 1882
Sources : mv,eas,nsp,ns2,phr,hcgl,wmn
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WHITTLESEA
Other names : none
Official no. : 26840
Type at loss : scow-schooner, wood
Build info : 1856, John Miner, Detroit
Specs : 91x27x7, 108 t.
Date of loss : 1873, Sep 22
Place of loss : at Cleveland
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : paving stone
Detail : She ran onto a pier at Cleveland and broke in two, a total loss of $5,000. Within a week she had been stripped and was reported gone to pieces. Out of Monroe, Michigan, in 1872.
Sources : nsp,wl,mv,bb,glmd
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WIDE AWAKE
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1856, Bailey Bros., Madison, OH
Specs : 131x26x10, 355 t.
Date of loss : 1857, Feb 8
Place of loss : off Oswego, NY
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : flood
Loss of life : none
Carrying : none
Detail : Crewless, she was washed out of the Oswego R. by a spring flood and sunk near Port Ontario. She was soon towed back to the harbor by a volunteer crew of oarsmen, but broke up in a storm on the 10th.
Sources : osdo,hgl,nsp,rp
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TRUDE R. WIEHE
Other names : built as steamer ALEX [or A.] FOLSOM, renamed, 1903
Official no. : 106368
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1885, F. W. Wheeler, W. Bay City, MI
Specs : 180x33x14, 672gt 520nt
Date of loss : 1910, Jul 12
Place of loss : Portage Bay, 23 mi SW of Manistique, MI
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm/fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : none, several barges in tow
Detail : She was driven ashore on Parker’s Reef while waiting to dock for a lumber cargo. She stranded and later burned to the waterline. Owned by Edw. Hines Lumber Co., Chicago.
Sources : vbs,polk,mv,ns2,mpl,eas,wgts
—-———————————
E.P. WILBUR – See BETHLEHEM
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ASA WILCOX
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1841, A. Wilcox, Lyme, NY [Three Mile Bay]
Specs : 86x20x8, 134 t. [om]
Date of loss : 1852, Nov 7
Place of loss : off Ludington
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : wrecked
Loss of life : 3
Carrying : ?
Detail : She was reported aground and wrecked, a total loss of $35,000. She was not quite a total loss – her botoom was recovered and built into a barge.
Also sunk at Cleveland in 1845.
Sources : tel,hgl,is,hr,wmn,wmhs,mmo,bb
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FRANKIE WILCOX
Other names : none
Official no. : 9204
Type at loss : scow-schooner, wood
Build info : 1865, Hayes, Fairport, OH built as a scow-brig [one of the only ones on the lakes]
Specs : 230 t.
Date of loss : 1879, Oct 19
Place of loss : 3.5 mi N of Manistee
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 1
Carrying : lumber
Detail : After loading lumber at Frankfort on the 17th and leaving that harbor she grounded on a bar. She was pulled off by the tug WILLIAMS, which began to tow her to Manistee. In rising winds she becme unmanageable, broke her towline and drifted ashore, where she broke up. All but one of the crew were rescued by a hastily-mustered group of lifesavers in a fishing schooner. Out of Milwaukee, worth about $2,500.
Capt. Gnewuch of Manistee, who organized the rescue, was awarded a gold medal for heroism for this and several other rescues in which he saved 28 sailors in the period 1874-80.
Sources : usls,mv,hgl,nsp,wl
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M. WILCOX
Other names : none
Official no. : 50607
Type at loss : scow-schooner, wood
Build info : 1867, Harrison, MI
Specs : 78x22x6, 70g 67n
Date of loss : 1890?
Place of loss : unreported
Lake : unreported
Type of loss : (storm)
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : No detail. Document surrendered 11/1/1890 at Port Huron annotated “wrecked, total loss.” Owned by Green, Port Huron in 1879.
Hgl says she passed out in ’95.
Sources : phr,hgl,glmd
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THE M. I. WILCOX CO.
Other names : built as JESSIE P. LOGIE, renamed in 1897
Official no. : 67145
Type at loss : propeller tug, wood
Build info : 1880, Whaling, Buffalo
Specs : 41x12x6, 14g 10n
Date of loss : 1920, Sep 18
Place of loss : Niagara R
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : none
Detail : Burned to a total loss. Homeport, Buffalo.
Rebuilt at Toledo in 1903 by Gilmore’s Sons.
Sources : mv,hr,wl
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M. J. WILCOX
Other names : none usually seen as M.I. WILCOX and that was probably her actual name, though M.J. is official
Official no. : 17617
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 3-mast
Build info : 1868, Bailey Bros, Toledo
Specs : 137x28x14, 369g 350n
Date of loss : 1906, May 8
Place of loss : off Colchester (Ont.), pier
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : coal
Detail : Bound Huron, Ohio, for Sandwich, Ont, she stranded in a storm, then sank and was pounded to pieces. The crew abandoned in her yawl after working her pumps for 10 straight hours. Master: Capt. Wm. Sommerville. Owners: C. C. and Capt. S. Baumhart, Vermilion, Oh..
Wreck lies 2,000 ft. SW of outer end of Colchester Dock.
Laid up at Detroit 1893-1900 for age, then put back into service.
Also wrecked Oct 29, 1892 at Hammond Bay, MI
Sources : hgl,ns1,glp,mv,ledc,mv,mpl,eas,do2,ew,nsp
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O. WILCOX
Other names : none
Official no. : 19289
Type at loss : propeller steam tug, wood
Build info : 1869, J.M. Jones, Detroit
Specs : 123x22x11, 193g 113n
Date of loss : 1893, Aug 29
Place of loss : 12 mi off Tawas Point
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none of 13
Carrying : none
Detail : She went down in a storm in less than 7 minutes after springing a leak while bound for Georgian Bay for a raft of sawlogs. She was lost in 30 fathoms of water. She was normally engaged in rafting operations from Georgian Bay. A BIG tug, owned by J & T. Hurley of Detroit. Master: Capt. Richard Tobin.
Drawing of her wreckage from GLMD
Sources : mv,hgl,polk,slh,hdm,nsp,wb,mpl,es
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O.T. WILCOX
Other names : none
Official no. : 53087
Type at loss : scow-schooner, wood
Build info : 1867, J. Tupper, Toledo as unrigged barge*
Specs : 69x18x5, 47g
Date of loss : 1883, May 20
Place of loss : near Port Crescent, Saginaw bay, Mich.
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : She was reported wrecked in a few newspapers, but little detail is given. Document surrendered at Port Huron 12/15/1883, annotated “wrecked.” Shown in ’84 mv as lost or out of commission.
*She was schooner-rigged by 1871
Sources : phr,mv,polk,wl,jb,wmn
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WILD ROVER
Other names : none
Official no. : 26238
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1855, E. Bates, Milan, OH*
Specs : 117x25x11, 214 t.
Date of loss : 1874, Nov 4
Place of loss : 10 mi from Long Point light
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none mentioned
Carrying : building stone
Detail : Bound for Toronto, she went on the point in stormy, foggy weather, and was pounded to pieces. Part of her cargo was recovered by the wrecker MONITOR in 1876. Owned by Webb and Eager, Cleveland.
Also reported as having been owned by Canadian parties (Webb & Hager, Welland) at the time.
Also wrecked and reported a total loss on Lake Huron, Nov, 1869.
*also given as Wilson & Fountain, Fairport, Oh, but just rebuilt there in 1865
Sources : mv,hgl,le,nsp,win,es,eas,ewe,wmn
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D. S. WILDER – formerly listed here as “Milder”
Other names : none
Official no. : 35139
Type at loss : scow-schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1866, Sullivan & Lobe, Toledo, Ohio
Specs : 45 t.
Date of loss : 1872, Sep 29
Place of loss : at Fish Point, Pelee Isl.
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none mentioned
Carrying : ?
Detail : She was reported driven ashore and wrecked by wave action.
Sources : win,h,mv,glmd
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ALICE E. WILDS
Other names : none
Official no. : 106070
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1883, J. Oades, Detroit
Specs : 136x28x11, 293g 236n
Date of loss : 1892, June 12
Place of loss : 16 miles off Milwaukee
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : none
Carrying : lumber
Detail : While bound Escanaba for Chicago, she collided with the steamer DOUGLAS in heavy fog and sank quickly [within 15 minutes] in deep water. The licenses of both captains were later revoked for dereliction of duty. Out of Chicago, owned by A. E. Wilds. Master: Capt. Barney Wilds.
Date also given as May 28, in error.
Sources : mv,polk,lmdc,is,wb,hgl,mpl,bb,nsp
—-———————————
WILKESBARRE – See EDWARD E. LOOMIS
—-———————————
HORACE S. WILKINSON – See WILTRANCO
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JULIA WILLARD
Other names :
Official no. : 12777
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 3-mast
Build info : 1865, Thayer, Ashtabula, OH
Specs : 118x26x10, 214 gt 204 nt
Date of loss : 1895, Dec 17
Place of loss : off Colchester shoal
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : ice
Loss of life : none
Carrying : stone
Detail : She became frozen in the ice off Kelley’s Island after taking on a load of stone there. Her captain and crew went ashore to find a tug to help pull her off. They had a difficult time finding a tug and when they returned the WILLARD had drifted away with the ice pack. She was finally crushed and sunk way to the northwest. Her mangled wreck was discovered by the steamer PROMISE, which was cutting ice for the steamers AVON, FRED MERCUR and FORTUNE. Out of Cleveland.
Major repair in 1882
Sources : nsp,hgl,wl
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W.H. WILLARD
Other names : none
Official no. : 26231
Type at loss : scow-schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1856, Chas. Hinman, Black River, Oh.
Specs : 92x22x9, 116g 108n
Date of loss : 1880, Nov 6
Place of loss : off N Pier at St. Joseph, MI
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none of 4
Carrying : lumber
Detail : She was bound Muskegon for Benton Harbor when she headed into St. Joseph harbor for shelter, stranded and broke up close to shore. Lifesaving Service helped rescue her crew just after she struck – they were able to drop from her bowsprit to the pier. Owned by her skipper, Capt. Peter Lawrence of Milwaukee.
Sources : hgl,mv,nsp,h,usls,wl,rsl,bcha,lotl
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WILLIAM
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1818, Vermilion, Ohio
Specs : 40x15x6, 32 t.
Date of loss : 1825, Oct 15
Place of loss : at Cleveland
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none mentioned
Carrying :
Detail : She was lying at anchor off Cleveland waiting out a storm when her anchors dragged and she was driven in and wrecked. Some of her planking was stove in but she was not thought to be badly injured, but several days later she was reported as a total loss. Out of Buffalo. Master: Capt. Amery Thomas.
Sources : hgl,wmn,bb,wl
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WILLIAM
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1847, Cleveland
Specs : 101x22x9, 179 t. om
Date of loss : 1859, Sep (22)
Place of loss : at Fairport, OH
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : (none)
Carrying : lumber
Detail : She went ashore in a gale and was pounded to pieces.
Out of Buffalo.
Sources : nsp,hgl,wl,wmn
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WILLIAM G.
Other names : none
Official no. : 244984
Type at loss : gas screw passenger vessel, wood
Build info : 1929, Vermilion, Oh
Specs : 34x10x5, 11g 7n
Date of loss : 1947, Aug 26
Place of loss : 6 miles off Lexington, MI
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : (storm)
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : Foundered, no detail. Out of Port Huron; owned by C. C. Dickerhoff.
Sources : h,mv,bb
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WILLIAM H
Other names : ?
Official no. : 81600
Type at loss : steam screw, wood, fish tug
Build info : 1898, John P. Dewey, Ashtabula
Specs : 70x17x6, 38g 26n
Date of loss : 1912, Dec 10
Place of loss : unreported
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : stranded
Loss of life : none of 4
Carrying : ?
Detail : No detail. Homeport: Chicago
Sources : mv,hr,wl
—-———————————
WILLIAMS – See also COL. A.B. WILLIAMS
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C.P. WILLIAMS
Other names : none
Official no. : 4364
Type at loss : schooner-barge, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1853, Nelson, Michigan City, IN as a brig
Specs : 350gt 292nt
Date of loss : 1886
Place of loss : near Port Austin
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : “Lost.”
Seriously damaged on Lake Erie,10/8/1877, with 6 lives lost. Declared a total loss.
Ashore with heavy damage on the Manitous, Lake Michigan, in Aug, 1853. Pulled off by the prop ILLINOIS late in the fall after a couple months ashore.
Had at least 15 significant accidents in her long career.
Converted from schooner to barge in 1875.
Sources : mv,hgl,slh,h,nsp,win,usls,rsl,wl,wmn
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CAROLINE WILLIAMS
Other names : none
Official no. : 5811
Type at loss : propeller wrecking tug, wood
Build info : 1868, Henry Williams, Buffalo*
Specs : 75x15x8, 61g 33n
Date of loss : 1884, Apr 23
Place of loss : 8 mi off Hamlin Pt.
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : schooner in tow
Detail : She was towing the damaged schooner WATERTOWN from Northport, Michigan, to Chicago for repairs when she caught fire in her coal bunkers. She burned to the waterline and sank, but her crew took to her boat and made it to the schooner. The Hamlin Point lifesaving unit was censured for not spotting the blazing tug at night only 8 miles off their station. Owned by the Canfield & Co. tug line, Manistee. Master: Capt. Chas. Gneuwuch.
*also given as Mill Ship Yard Co., Manistee, MI, but 1868 newspaper clippings have Canfield purchasing her new at Buffalo.
Sources : usls,hgl,polk,nsp,mv
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DANIEL G. WILLIAMS
Other names : also seen as DAVID G. and D.G. WILLIAMS
Official no. : 35436
Type at loss : scow-barge, wood
Build info : 1874, M. Williams, Marysville, MI
Specs : 97x23x7, 117 t.
Date of loss : 1877, Nov 9
Place of loss : off South Pier at Chicago
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : (storm)
Loss of life : none
Carrying : 175 M bd ft lumber
Detail : Sunk off the South pier, she had been bound Muskegon for Chicago. She had gone ashore earlier near St. Joseph, and may have developed a leak as a result of that accident.
Sources : phr,h,usls,nsp
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E.C. WILLIAMS
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1849, Rogers, Charlotte, NY
Specs : 105 ft., 175 t.
Date of loss : 1861, May 26
Place of loss : 4 mi E of Erie, PA
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : light
Detail : Bound Buffalo for Erie, PA, she was caught in a storm and set her anchors to try to ride it out. However, both of the cables parted and she was driven ashore. As she struck and heeled over, her crew was able to jump from the rigging to the beach. The vessel broke up in the next couple days. Master: Capt. Vanatta.
On Sep 19, 1854 in Buffalo harbor she was rammed by the big steamer WESTERN WORLD and sank in about 5 minutes.
Sources : hgl,is,nsp
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E.R. WILLIAMS
Other names : none
Official no. : 8987
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1873, Bailey Bros., Toledo
Specs : 137x26x12, 294g 279n
Date of loss : 1895, Sep 22
Place of loss : near St. Martin’s Isl., Green Bay mouth
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none of 8
Carrying : iron ore
Detail : Bound Escanaba for Toledo in tow of steamer SANTA MARIA, she foundered in a gale. Her lights just disappeared to her tow steamer. Her crew abandoned in the yawl and spent a harrowing night on the open lake. Later they were picked off Summer Island by the steamer OSCEOLA. The next day the wreck of the WILLIAMS was located off the island by her masts sticking up above the surface. Master: Capt. Huntoon. Owner: W. L. Fay, Elyria, Oh.
Major repairs in 1881, 2
Sources : nsp,polk,mv,wb,hgl,mpl,wgts
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ELLEN WILLIAMS
Other names : none
Official no. : 7308
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1855, Cleveland
Specs : 130x30x10, 321g 307n
Date of loss : 1906, May 13
Place of loss : Callum’s Bay.
Lake : Detroit R
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : Tow of the tug MINER, she struck a obstruction near the S end of Bois Blanc Island ,hich had damaged a number of larger vessels. She staggered to Callum’s Bay and sank. Due to her age, it is unlikely that she was recovered, but her documents were not surrendered until 1910.
Stereo image from MHGL with tug C. P. MOREY
Sources : nsp,wmn,mv,hcgl
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FARRAND H. WILLIAMS
Other names : none
Official no. : 120474
Type at loss : scow-schooner, wood
Build info : 1882, F. H. Williams, Manitowoc
Specs : 89x23x7, 95g 90n
Date of loss : 1900, Sep 11
Place of loss : Horseshoe Bay, Wis.
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : cordwood
Detail : She washed ashore in the bay on the northwest side of the Door Peninsula and wrecked, a total loss. Owned by C. D. Peterson, Detroit Island, Wis.
Sources : wgts,mv,bb,whs
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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 : halfway between N. Manitou Isl. and the west shore
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : probably light
Detail : She foundered in a strong NW gale while being towed from Sutton’s Bay, Michigan to Two Rivers, Wis., by the tug TEMPLE EMERY. The tug picked up her crew. Owned by Leclaire, Harrington & Mann of Two Rivers. She reportedly lies in 45 fathoms of water.
Sources : wb,mv,hgl,wgts,nsp
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H.G. WILLIAMS
Other names : none
Official no. : 11191
Type at loss : scow-schooner, wood
Build info : 1863, R. Hayes, Fairport, OH
Specs : 154 t.
Date of loss : 1873, Aug 15
Place of loss : off Cedar Point
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : coal
Detail : Tow of the prop SUN, she broke loose in Pelee Passage and eventually went ashore near Cedar Point, where she was was wrecked by big waves. She was abandoned a week later. Owned by Varner & Co. Cleveland.
In Nov. 1871 she was driven up the Cuyahoga in a freak gale and collided with a jumble of wrecked vessels that had been torn loose from their moorings. She capsized and wedged in the river, blocking it. Two of her crew were unable to make it to shore and drowned. Other vessels involved in the melee included schrs H.G. WEBB, JENNIE P. MACK, FLEETWING and GRACE MURRAY.
Sources : nsp,mv,hgl,rsl
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H.W. WILLIAMS – See PERE MARQUETTE 8
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MARY WILLIAMS
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1853, Vicksburgh, Mich
Specs : 90x19x6, 89 t. om
Date of loss : 1862, Oct 22
Place of loss : near Willoughby, Ohio
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none mentioned
Carrying : ?
Detail : Was driven ashore and reportedly broken up by the 29th. Owned by J. B. Scott, Detroit, in 1860 and 61. He reportedly lost three vessels near this same spot in a few years’ time.
Last registration. 7/17/1860, Detroit.
Sources : nsp,wl,wmn
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MINNIE WILLIAMS
Other names : none
Official no. : 16426 (shows on both U.S. and Canadian official lists simultaneously)
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1862, Cornelius Delaney, Wallaceburg, Ont.
Specs : 135x26x12, 289 t.
Date of loss : 1875, Oct 27
Place of loss : Between Pentwater and Ludington, MI
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 8 [all]
Carrying : coal
Detail : Bound Cleveland for Chicago, she foundered in a gale with all hands. She was not considered overdue until her broken yawl and some bodies washed ashore on the 28th. Master: Capt. P. A. Barry(d).
Sunk in a collision during a storm in June, 1866, at Anxious Point, Lake Erie.
On American registry by 1869.
(Raised and put back in service? – in polk, ’84)
(Major repairs in 1882)
Sources : nsp,mv,mmgl,clu,usls,es,rsl,jk
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WILLIAMSON
Other names : built as French brig L’IROQUOISE
Official no. : British
Type at loss : brig, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1758, Pte Au Baril, [St. Lawrence R.] as a 10-gun bark
Specs : ?
Date of loss : 1761
Place of loss : near Oswego
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : (storm)
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : Wrecked.
She was the last French vessel on the lakes. Captured by British Col. Williamson’s forces on the St. Lawrence in 1760.
Sources : osdo,hgl,sgl,krm
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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. Master: Capt. Wm. Pugh.
Sources : hgl,gs,dao,jb,nsp,ew
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ROBERT WILLIS
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : brig, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1852, Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo
Specs : 152x26x11, 368 t. om
Date of loss : 1853, Nov 24
Place of loss : probably the Inside Passage, near Beaver Island
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 10 [all]
Carrying : 14,000 bu. wheat
Detail : Bound Chicago for Buffalo, she went missing in a gale on her final trip of the season. Hopes and hoaxes kept relatives and friends of the crew certain that she was not lost until the following February. There was unconfirmed speculation at the time that the ship and her crew were waylaid by Mormon “pirates” from Beaver Island. Master: Capt. John McLean. Owner: Cyrenius C. Bristol, Buffalo.
Sources : bb,nsp
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HUNTER WILLS
Other names : built as passenger steamer LOUISE, renamed in 1931. Also seen as HUNTER WILLIS
Official no. : 140288
Type at loss : propeller steam tug, wood
Build info : 1878, J. Monk, Sandusky
Specs : 89x19x8, 84g 44n
Date of loss : 1931, Oct 22
Place of loss : Erie, PA harbor
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : none
Detail : Destroyed by fire.
Sources : mv,www,eas,mpl,ewe,hcgl
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WILMETTE – See EASTLAND
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ANNABELL WILSON
Other names : sometimes seen as ANNABELLE WILSON
Official no. : 106475
Type at loss : schooner-barge, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1887, W. Dulac, Mt. Clemens, MI
Specs : 174x32x12, 491g 467n
Date of loss : 1913, Jul 12
Place of loss : off Dunkirk, NY
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 2
Carrying : 1,000 t. coal
Detail : She became waterlogged and sank in a storm while in tow of the tug METEOR. She had been bound Erie, Pa. for Port Colborne, Ont. All but the captain and his wife were rescued by the tug.
Sources : is,mv,ns2,is,mv,ledc,ewe
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BELLE WILSON
Other names : none
Official no. : C80953
Type at loss : propeller, wood
Build info : 1881, Redmond, Picton, Ont.
Specs : 103x24x11, 186g 120n
Date of loss : 1888, Aug 8
Place of loss : 7 miles off Harrisville, MI
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : coal
Detail : She sprang a leak in a gale and foundered several hours later. The crew abandoned in her boats and was picked up by the steamer M.M. DRAKE(qv). Master: Capt. Collier or McGregor. Owned by C. Gillespie, Picton.
Disabled and driven ashore near Oswego Nov 14, 1886.
Another report says an 11-ton vessel of this name was lost the same date on L. Ont. near Fox I. (win,etc)
Sources : polk,hgl,nsp,mmgl,csv,slh,h,oo
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D.M. WILSON
Other names : none
Official no. : 6772
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight “steambarge”
Build info : 1873, S. Langell, St. Clair, MI
Specs : 179x33x12, 758g 592n
Date of loss : 1894, Oct 27
Place of loss : 2 mi NNE of Thunder Bay Isl. light
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : coal, barge MANITOWOC in tow
Detail : She opened her seams in a gale dopped her tow and made for Alpena. She made it to within 2 miles of Thunder Bay Island, then sank. Her crew was rescued by the freighter SYLVANUS J. MACY. She broke up in another gale Nov 10, even though her wreckage was in 40 feet of water. Flotsam was strewn all the way to Tawas. She had been bound Cleveland for Milwaukee. Owned by J. A. Miller, et. al., Buffalo. The wreck was located and salvage began in September, 1897, boilers recovered in November.
Major repairs in 1878
Sources : mv,polk,nsp,stb,slh,h,lhdc,wbm,hgl,mpl,usls,es
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ELIZA WILSON
Other names : none
Official no. : C?
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1855, Alex LeClerc, Port Nelson, Ont
Specs : 75x20x7, 93 t.
Date of loss : 1864, Nov 31
Place of loss : Gibraltar Point
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none mentioned
Carrying : wood
Detail : This small schooner stranded on a sandbar near Gibraltar Point, at Toronto, and over a few days was reduced to matchwood. She became a total loss of about $2,800, hull and cargo. Owned by Capt. McGriffin, Oakville.
Sources : wmn,bb,jm,wl,nsp,hgl,hr
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MABEL WILSON
Other names : also seen as MABELLE WILSON
Official no. : 91872
Type at loss : schooner-barge, wood, 4-mast
Build info : 1886, F. Wheeler, W. Bay City
Specs : 243x39x16, 1224g 1185n
Date of loss : 1906, May 28
Place of loss : near west breakwater at Cleveland
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 1
Carrying : iron ore
Detail : Tow of the prop C.W. ELPHICKE, she tore loose in a gale and was driven on the breakwater, where she pounded apart and sank. The tug T.C. LUTZ and the Lifesaving Service saved her crew. The remains were later dynamited as a shipping hazard. Owned by P. J. Ralph, Detroit. Master: Capt. J. E. Gotham.
Did a stint on the Atlantic for a few years at the turn of the century.
Built to replace the schooner F.W. WHEELER(qv)
Sources : vbs,mv,ns1,sbs,ledc,nsp,st,mpl,m&h,eas,ew
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S.P. WILSON
Other names : none
Official no. : 115188
Type at loss : scow-schooner, wood, 3-mast
Build info : 1873, Shaw, South Haven, MI
Specs : 102 ft., 142g 135n
Date of loss : 1885, Oct 20
Place of loss : S of Grand Haven, MI
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : (storm)
Loss of life : none of 6
Carrying : wood slabs
Detail : She was bound for Chicago when she sprang a leak in a NW gale and ran for shelter at Grand Haven. The steamer WISCONSIN tried to take her in tow, but she went out of control and drove ashore. Lifesaving Service saved her crew. Her captain said later that she struck the wreckage of the steamer AMAZON(qv) on the way in. Owner and master: Capt. Henry Pottgether, Grand Haven or Chicago.
Collided with str COLIN CAMPBELL and sank near Racine, WI, in Jul, 1882
Major repairs in 1880, 81,82
Sources : polk,mv,hgl,nsp,h,usls,bb
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THOMAS WILSON
Other names : none
Official no. : 145616
Type at loss : propeller, steel, bulk freight whaleback
Build info : 1892, McDougall, W. Superior, WI
Specs : 308x38x24, 1713g 1318n
Date of loss : 1902, Jun 7
Place of loss : off Duluth
Lake : Superior
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : 9 of 20
Carrying : iron ore
Detail : She was rammed and sunk by the wooden steamer GEORGE G. HADLEY, which nearly cut her in two in a passing mishap. WILSON sank very quickly and resisted several great efforts to raise her; she still remains in her grave. The collision occurred in perfect weather when the HADLEY was accidentally turned to port instead of starboard while passing astern of the whaleback, and rammed her near the aftmost hatch. The skipper of the HADLEY was found to be to blame and lost his license, though the WILSON’s captain, in a rush to leave port, had failed to have her hatches dogged down. Owner: Pittsburgh Fleet. Master: Capt. M. C. Cameron.
Image of her covered in ice from GLMD
Sources : mv,nsp,is(1-64,2-69),nsp,gwgl,lss,gsg,bbas
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THOMAS C. WILSON
Other names : none
Official no. : 24579
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1868, T. Wilson, Black River, OH
Specs : 59x15x5, 31g 30n
Date of loss : 1902, Nov
Place of loss : near Egg Harbor, Green Bay
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none mentioned
Carrying : potatoes
Detail : Driven ashore and disabled, then torn to pieces by wave and ice action the following winter.
Rebuilt in 1880
Sunk in a collision with the steam barge GORDON CAMPBELL off Racine in late July, 1882.
Sources : mv,polk,is(1-88),wgts,wls
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WIMAN – See WYMAN
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WINDHAM
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1843, Lockwood, Ashtabula, OH
Specs : 112x25x9, 237 t. om
Date of loss : 1855, Nov 27
Place of loss : in Death’s Door passage
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : lumber
Detail : Lay to to shelter from a storm, but a failure of the watch allowed her to drag her anchor and go on the rocks. Her crew huddled on the damaged ship for a day, during which time the brig MONTEZUMA passed her distress signal without stopping. The crew was finally taken off by the brig GENEVA. Owned by Monroe & Co., Detroit.
Sources : nsp,wl,wmn,wgts,whs
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CORNELIA B. WINDIATE
Other names : none also seen as CORNELIA 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, Nov 29
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. Master: Capt. Mackey(d). Owner: Windiate & Butler, Manitowoc.
She was discovered on the bottom of Lake Huron in 1987, in excellent condition.
A full-sized 3D replica of about a third of her stern is on interactive display at the NOAA Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena
Sources : diver,glss,usls,mpl,es,nsp,gm
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WINDSOLITE – See also CARDINAL
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WINDSOR
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1847, Buffalo or Irving, NY
Specs : 115x25x10, 270 t.
Date of loss : 1853, Nov 3
Place of loss : 5 mi from Louis Isl, mouth of Green Bay
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : (none)
Carrying : lumber mill provisions
Detail : Went ashore in a gale and “probably” a total loss – last registration document, October, 1852. Owned by Tarleton Jones of Chicago.
Sources : nsp,hgl,wmn,bb
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WINDSOR
Other names : none
Official no. : 62523
Type at loss : schooner-barge, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1856, Dean or J.A. Jenkins, Detroit as a paddle ferry
Specs : 115x30x9, 238g 226n
Date of loss : 1893, Oct 1
Place of loss : near Cana Isl, Green Bay
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 1
Carrying : telegraph poles
Detail : Sprung a leak while bound for Chicago and was run for shore. She struck a rocky reef and capsized, but most of her crew was rescued by the Surgeon Bay lifesaving crew. Owned and sailed by Capt. David Williams.
As Detroit R. ferry, she suffered a fire on Apr 26, 1866 with the loss of 28-30 lives. She was burned when the Detroit and Milwaukee’s riverside railroad terminal burned to a total loss after the explosion of a barrel of naptha. The steamer DETROIT prevented further damage to nearby docks and vessels by pushing WINDSOR out in the river to burn out.
Sources : lhl,mv,nsp,hdm,is,sol,h,wb,hgl,eas
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ELIJAH WINDSOR
Other names : none often seen as E. WINDSOR
Official no. : C100121
Type at loss : propeller, wood, lumber hooker
Build info : 1871, W. Folsom, Wallaceburg or Sombra, Ont.
Specs : 85x22x5, 85gc, 58nc
Date of loss : 1901, Nov 10
Place of loss : Port Huron
Lake : St Clair R
Type of loss : hull failure
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : Sank and reported as a total loss. May be misreporting of incident below, but appears this way in official record. Probably owned by W. G. Scott, Wallaceburg.
She sank near the Wolverine Drydock, Port Huron, reportedly a total loss Nov 12, 1900. She had a load of sand, but was able to be dragged into the dock and repaired.
Rebuilt, 1899.
Heavily damaged by fire in June, 1896.
Sources : polk,mmgl,csv,slh,h,nsp
—-———————————
WINFIELD SCOTT – See GENERAL W. SCOTT
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WING
Other names : none
Official no. : not listed in 1899 mv
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1896, H. Genther, St. Joseph, Mich
Specs : 50 ft
Date of loss : 1900, Nov 8
Place of loss : 10 miles S of St. Joseph
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : potatoes
Detail : She was caught in a storm on the 7th while approaching Chicago. She turned back for St. Joseph and was driven ashore after a long struggle in an icy gale that almost killed her crew of 2. The vessel had a regular route between St. Joseph and Calumet, Ill., carrying produce and farm goods. Master and owner: Capt Henry Genther of St. Joseph
Went hard ashore in a storm “between the two ports” at Union Pier Oct 16 of the same year and was thought to be lost with her cargo of apples. Capt. Genther was criticized in the newspapers afterwards for being “too venturesome with his little craft.”
Sources : nsp,bb
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WING & WING
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1845, Sanford & Moses, Cleveland
Specs : 106x24x9, 217 t.
Date of loss : 1854, Dec 4
Place of loss : at Michigan City, Ind.
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : She went ashore in a bizzard and became a total loss. Owned by Richmond & Co., Detroit
Sources : nsp,hgl,wl
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WINGS OF THE MORNING
Other names : none
Official no. : 26754
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1854, Wm Jones, Black R. ,OH
Specs : 132x26x11, 340 t.
Date of loss : 1865, mid-Oct
Place of loss : near Port Colborn, Ont.
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm/collision
Loss of life : (none)
Carrying : staves
Detail : She collided with the schooner MARION EGAN and went out of control. Both vessels went ashore, and WINGS became a total loss after her back broke.
Owned by Winslow, Buffalo.
Major repairs in 1860
Sources : nsp,rsl,hgl,bb,wmn
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WINGS OF THE WIND
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1855, Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo
Specs : 130 ft., 370 t.
Date of loss : 1866, May 12
Place of loss : 6 miles NE of Chicago River mouth
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : coal
Detail : She collided with the bark H. P. BALDWIN and sank. The two were bouth upbound, on the opposite tack and did not see each other on a dark night. The much larger bark crushed the side of the schooner, but WINGS’ crew was able to escape in her yawl before she went down. The bark returned as was able to find the yawl in the dark. Owned by Christie & Carce of Erie, PA. Master: Capt. John M. Gray.
Major repair in 1860
Sources : hgl,lmdc,is,rsl,nsp
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WINNANNA
Other names : rebuilt as KEENAN also seen as WINNANA
Official no. : C122414
Type at loss : propeller, steel, steam mailboat
Build info : 1907, Midland, Ont.
Specs : 92×20, 199gc 125nc
Date of loss : 1909, Nov 19
Place of loss : at Tobermory, Ont.
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : She was gutted by fire and declared total loss, but rebuilt and returned to service the next year. Converted to motor, 1926.
Abandoned, 1939.
Sources : csv,win,mmgl,slh,h
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WINONA
Other names : none
Official no. : C94717
Type at loss : propeller, wood, passenger & package freight
Build info : 1902, J. Ellison, Port Stanley, Ont.
Specs : 110x22x7, 233 gc
Date of loss : 1931, Nov 13
Place of loss : At Spragge, Ont., North Channel
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : She burned to a total loss at her wharf.
Sources : csv,mmgl,h,slh,win,do,hcgl
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WINSLOW
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : propeller revenue cutter, wood
Build info : 1862, Quayle & Martin, Cleveland as a large tug
Specs : 120x26x11, 265 t.
Date of loss : 1864, Oct 7
Place of loss : at Cleveland
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 4 or 6 of 27
Carrying : none
Detail : She left Cleveland in fair weather, but was soon driving into the teeth of a gale. She turned back, but struck bottom while entering the harbor and ran on some spiles [pilings]. Most of her complement was able to make it to the spiles from the cutter as she sank, but four [or 6] were drowned trying to get from the spiles to the pier. Master: Capt. Ottinger. Owned by Messrs Winslow and chartered to the Revenue Cutter Service.
Her salvaged engine and boiler went into another vessel of the same name.
Chartered to the RCS by N.C. and H.J. Winslow and Anderson. She was armed with a rifled ten-pounder and small arms.
Sources : nsp,lhl,nsp,eas
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WINSLOW
Other names : none
Official no. : 26174
Type at loss : propeller, wood, package freight
Build info : 1863, Peck & Masters, Cleveland as passenger vessel
Specs : 220x32x12, 1049g 801n
Date of loss : 1891, Oct 3
Place of loss : at Duluth
Lake : Superior
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : brown sugar, gen frt,lime
Detail : She caught fire at her dock, where local shoreside fire crews and the tug SUTTON tried to put her out. When this proved to no avail, she was pushed to the “Flats” where she burned to a total loss. Two days earlier she had gone ashore and was released, but it was conjectured that water had entered her hold and reacted with the lime in it, causing the fire. Owned by Lake Superior Transportation Co. Master: Capt. Mason.
Rebuilt 1880, major repairs, 1884
Sources : polk,mv,eas,gwgl,sol,lss,is,hgl,mpl,nsp
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WINSLOW
Other names : none
Official no. : C96855
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight “steambarge”
Build info : 1865, Quayle & Martin, Cleveland [US#26243]
Specs : 129x22x17, 290g 186n
Date of loss : 1911, Aug 21
Place of loss : Meldrum Bay, North Channel
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : Burned to a total loss. Owned by Reid Towing & Wrecking, Sarnia.
Sold Canadian, 1902. US# 26243, originally 129x22x19, 291 t.
Engine & boiler were from earlier tug/revenue cutter WINSLOW .
She was a wrecking tug through most of her career. Rebuilt, 1880.
Sources : eas,mmgl,mv,csv,slh,h,nsp,win,mpl,glmd
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ANNE WINSLOW
Other names : none also seen as ANNIE WINSLOW
Official no. : none
Type at loss : brig, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1842, G.W. Jones, Cleveland
Specs : 97x25x9, 203 t. [om]
Date of loss : 1852
Place of loss : Great Duck Isl., near N end of Manitoulin
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : (storm)
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : “Lost.”
Sources : hgl,slh,bb,wl
—-———————————±
H. C. WINSLOW
Other names : none
Official no. : 11200
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 3-mast
Build info : 1853, Geo Washington Jones, Black River, Ohio as a bark
Specs : 132x25x11, 362 t. om
Date of loss : 1905, Jun 28
Place of loss : off Chicago
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : age
Loss of life : none
Carrying : none
Detail : She lay near the Clark Street bridge in the ChicagoRiver for many years, and a contract was finally let by the city to remove her in the spring of 1905. When she was pulled away from the bank she balked and wound up sunk in the river between Clark and Dearborn Streets. She was dynamited on the above date to clear the channel.
Sources : nsp,hr,glmd,wmhs
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KATE WINSLOW
Other names : none
Official no. : 14281
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 3-mast
Build info : 1872, J. Davidson, E. Saginaw, MI hull# ?
Specs : 203x35x13, 736g 699n
Date of loss : 1897, Oct 14
Place of loss : 10 mi off Seul Choix Point, Beaver Passage
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : 1,200 t. pig iron
Detail : Bound Gladstone, MI for Sandusky, OH, in tow of the prop QUEEN OF THE WEST with the schooner MAY RICHARDS, she broke her towline in a gale 15 miles off Beaver Island and was on her own. She was blown down and foundered while trying to make shelter at “Sole Choice” [Seul Choix.] Crew escaped in lifeboat and made it to shore. Master: Capt. E. J. Cuyler
NELLIE A DUFF, C.B.BENSON and KATE WINSLOW, all schooners owned by the Duff family all were lost on Oct 14, but in different years.
Sources : phr,vbs,mv,slh,is(2-60),lmdc,nsp,wb,hgl
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R.G. WINSLOW
Other names : none
Official no. : 21139
Type at loss : bark, wood, 3-mast [blt as 2-mast schr]
Build info : 1857, Quayle & Martin, Cleveland
Specs : 149x30x12, 390 t.
Date of loss : 1867, Nov 27
Place of loss : Spectacle Reef
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : Bound Chicago for Buffalo, she stranded in a gale and later broke up. Several vessels passed nearby while she was flying her distress signals, but none stopped to give her aid. Her crew finally made it to the bark ANNIE VOUGHT, stranded nearby, then got to shore on their own.
Out of Buffalo
Another schooner of this name was built for Winslow at Black R., OH by G & W Jones, in 1854. She was 132x26x11, 342 t.
Sources : hgl,ssm,slh,nsp,mpl,wl
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RICHARD WINSLOW
Other names : none
Official no. : 110003
Type at loss : schooner-barge, wood, 2-mst
Build info : 1871, J.M. Jones, Detroit [Springwells] as a 4-mast schooner
Specs : 217x36x14, 885g 841n
Date of loss : 1895, Sep 4
Place of loss : White Shoals, Beaver Passage
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : iron ore
Detail : Tow of steamer INTER-OCEAN, she sprang a leak and foundered. Her crew was rescued by the tow steamer with great difficulty. Came to rest with her masts above water. Owned by Wex & Watson, Buffalo. Capt. Wex was INTER-OCEAN’s skipper.
Her cargo was recovered a couple years later by wrecking master Baker from Detroit and the boat flattened by explosives in 1902.
Major repairs in 1883 and 4. Reduced to a towbarge in 1890. She was the 1st 4-master built on the lakes.
Sources : ssm,polk,mv,slh,nsp,hgl,mpl
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WISCONSIN
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1833, A. Harndt & Co., Green Bay, Wis.*
Specs : 75x24x9, 133 t.
Date of loss : 1847, Sep 2
Place of loss : at Porte Des Mortes [Death’s Door]
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : (storm)
Loss of life : none
Carrying : lumber
Detail : Reportedly went ashore and a total loss. Out of Chicago.
*reputedly the 1st vessel built at Green Bay.
Sources : hgl,wmn,bb,wmhs
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WISCONSIN
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : sidewheel steamer, wood, passenger & package freight
Build info : 1837, G. W. Jones, Conneaut, OH
Specs : 219x30x14, 700g 490n
Date of loss : 1853, Aug 24
Place of loss : W. Sister Isl.
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : none
Carrying : light
Detail : She collided with the steamer BRUNSWICK and sank after her helmsman misunderstood a passing order and she veered into the BRUNSWICK.. Owned by Capt. T. J. Titus & Geo. Davis of Buffalo. Master: Capt. Hayes.
Some sources list her as a prop, but she predates the prop [there was a prop WISCONSIN operating in 1853]
Went ashore in poor visibility 6 mi N of Chicago on Nov 6, 1842 with heavy damage.
Rebuilt and enlarged in 1843. Originally 157 ft long, 29 ft. beam, 12 ft depth and 54 feet across the guards.
Sources : eas,lhl,is(4-58),ledc,hgl,mpl,nsp,wl
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WISCONSIN
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : propeller, wood, passenger & package freight
Build info : 1852, Stevens & Presley, Ohio City, OH
Specs : 137x25x11, 352 t.
Date of loss : 1867, May 21
Place of loss : 3 mi from Cape Vincent, NY [beached on Grenadier Isl.]
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : 19 of 92*
Carrying : misc freight,luggage
Detail : She caught fire above her boiler and was beached – where she burned to the water’s edge. The passengers and crew who were lost panicked and dropped their lifeboat into the water while the ship was still moving full ahead, capsizing it, though the captain and others recognized that there was little immediate danger. She had just left Cape Vincent, bound for Chicago. Owned by Northern Transportation Co. Master: Capt. S. Townsend.
The hulk was recovered in June.
*at least. Numbers up to 30 are given
Her lost 1st mate was reportedly a U.S. champion ice skater.
Sources : eas,lhl,is(4-65,4-95),nsp,sol,mpl,rp,rnc
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WISCONSIN
Other names : built as WISCONSIN, renamed NAOMI(1899), E.G. CROSBY(1909), GEN. ROBERT M. O’REILLY(1918), PILGRIM(1920) and WISCONSIN again in 1924.
Official no. : 80861
Type at loss : propeller, iron, passenger & package freight
Build info : 1881, Detroit Dry Dock, Wyandotte, MI hull# 49
Specs : 209x41x21, 1921 t.
Date of loss : 1929, Oct 29
Place of loss : off Kenosha, WI
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 18 of 76
Carrying : machine tools, autos, passengers
Detail : This Goodrich liner was overwhelmed by the storm and foundered while waiting out the weather off Kenosha. The Coast Guard was unable to force their lifeboat through the heavy seas, but Kenosha fisherman Cliff Chambers got his crew together and took his 52-foot fish tug CHAMBERS BROS. through the storm, saving more than 30 lives. The WISCONSIN was an unrecoverable total loss.
See NAOMI for more information.
Orig 204X35x12, rebuilt & enlarged in 1899 and 1920. Originally built for the Goodrich Line and designed by Frank Kirby. Sister of str MICHIGAN.
Image of ship near the end of her career from GLMD
Sources : ns3,is,eas,mv,atl,gs,sol,lmdc,h,mpl,rsh,wls,hh
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WISSAHICKON – See WASAGA
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WITCH
Other names : none
Official no. : 200646
Type at loss : propeller steam tug, wood
Build info : 1904, J. Urie, Bay City
Specs : 60x18x7, 44g 17n
Date of loss : 1929, Sep 12
Place of loss : at mouth of Saginaw River
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : none
Detail : She burned to a total loss off the outer range light.
Built using the Saginaw R tug WITCH OF THE WEST (see below) as a model and had her machinery as well.
Sources : vbs,sbs,mv,nsp,slh
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WITCH OF THE WEST
Other names : none
Official no. : 26345
Type at loss : propeller steam tug, wood
Build info : 1856, Petty’s Isl., NJ or Cramp, Philadelphia
Specs : 59x13x5, 23g 12n
Date of loss : 1904
Place of loss : at Bay City, MI, Saginaw River
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : none
Detail : She burned to a total loss at her dock. She had been retired from service the previous year.
She had been built on salt water for river and bay towing at Maumee [Toledo] and had much-copied lines. The Bay City built tug WITCH was a direct copy of her and used her recovered engine.
Sources : nsp,phr,mv,slh,rsl
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WITCROIX – See BRUCE HUDSON
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WOCOKEN
Other names : none also seen as WOKOKEN, WO-CO-KEN
Official no. : 80778
Type at loss : propeller, wood
Build info : 1880, Quayle & Sons, Cleveland
Specs : 251x37x19, 1400g 1179n
Date of loss : 1893, Oct 14
Place of loss : off Dunkirk, NY
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 12 of 15
Carrying : coal
Detail : Bound Ashtabula for Duluth, she was overwhelmed by a storm and sank. Three crewmen saved themselves by climbing the rigging as she went down. Towing the barge JOSEPH PAIGE at the time. Owned by John Mitchell of Cleveland. His sister, the captain’s wife, was lost on the wreck. Master: Capt. Albert Meswald(d).
Her engine, gear and boilers were salvaged the following September.
Sources : mv,polk,gsgl,nsp,sol,h,ledc,wb,hgl,mpl,ewe
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LOTTIE WOLF
Other names : none
Official no. : 14807
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1866, Wolf & Saveland, Green Bay as a bark
Specs : 126x27x11, 335g 318n
Date of loss : 1891, Oct 10
Place of loss : near the N shore of Hope I., Georgian Bay
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : none
Carrying : corn
Detail : She struck a huge uncharted boulder and foundered. She was stripped of her outfit and given up as a total loss on the 18th. Out of Chicago, owned by Dunham. The spot where she struck is now called “Lottie Wolf Shoal.” The wreck is still located in the area, but is usually covered with sand.
Also had major wrecks in May, 1869; May, 1871; Sep, 1877 and Oct, 1879.
Sources : mv,slh,lhdc,hgl,mpl,es
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WILLIAM H. WOLF
Other names : none
Official no. : 81164
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1887, Wolf & Davidson, Milwaukee
Specs : 285x42x19, 2266g 1791n
Date of loss : 1921, Oct 20
Place of loss : abreast of Marine City, MI
Lake : St Clair R
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : 2
Carrying : light
Detail : She caught fire, burned to the waterline and sank on the edge of the channel. The wreck was removed and resunk at another location in 1925. Bound Port Huron for Toledo.
Several spectators were drowned when she swamped during her launch.
Image as a wreck, 1921, same source
Sources : ns3,mv,h,ledc,mpl,bb,eas
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WOLFE – See NAPANEE
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WOLLIN
Other names : also seen as WALLIN
Official no. : 26349
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1854, J.M. Jones, Milwaukee
Specs : 84x19x5, 49g 46n
Date of loss : 1897, Apr 29
Place of loss : 2 mi N of Sheboygan, WI
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none of 5
Carrying : wood, potatoes
Detail : The old schooner was driven ashore and wrecked in a heavy gale while on a voyage Frankfort for Milwaukee. The Lifesaving Service rescued her crew with great difficulty. Owned and sailed by Capt. Bergman, Holland, Mich.
Lost in her 43rd season.
Rebuilt in 1872 and 1878
Sources : is,mv,polk,h,wb,hgl,bb,,nsp
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WONDER
Other names : none
Official no. : 81794
Type at loss : propeller sandsucker, wood
Build info : 1889, New London, WI
Specs : 95x19x5, 99g 78n
Date of loss : 1908, Jul 13*
Place of loss : in harbor at Ashtabula, OH
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none of 4
Carrying : none
Detail : Stranded in a north’r and eventually wrecked. She was towed to her present location near the outer breakwall during an abortive salvage attempt.
Owned by Ashtabula Sand & Gravel
*Sep 6 also given
Sources : mv,h,ledc,eas,ewe
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WOOD DUCK
Other names : none
Official no. : C none
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1868, Conkright, Oakville, Ont.
Specs : 70x18x8, 77t
Date of loss : 1880, Nov 7
Place of loss : near Oswego, NY, off Lifesaving Station
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none of 5
Carrying : barley
Detail : Bound Frenchman’s Bay, Ont., for Oswego, she was driven ashore by huge waves and broke up, after the tug WHEELER tried to save her. The Lifesaving Service had spotted her as she came in and were on hand with their beach apparatus and mortar when she came in. They took her crew off by breeches’ buoy. Owner: Marks & Son, Frenchman’s Bay. Master: Capt Marks, the elder.
Driven ashore and reported as a total loss on False Ducks Isls., Lake Ontario, in November, 1879.
Sources : mmgl,clu,is,osdo,hgl,usls,nsp
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WOOD ISLAND
Other names : built as LYLE D., renamed in 1920
Official no. : 206510
Type at loss : gasoline tug, wood
Build info : 1907, Racine, WI as a passenger vessel
Specs : 45x11x5, 10g 7n
Date of loss : 1922, Sep 9
Place of loss : near Five-mile Point, W of Munising, MI
Lake : Superior
Type of loss : explosion
Loss of life : none
Carrying : broomstick raft
Detail : A sudden fire was caused by an engine backfire and she burned to a total loss. The crew dove overboard before she exploded and were picked up by the tugs MUNIS and GRAND ISLAND.
Owned by Cleveland Cliffs Mining Co.
Sources : ms,is,lss,mv
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JAMES WOOD
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : propeller, wood, passenger & package freight
Build info : 1846, Dexter, NY
Specs : 124x25x10, 286 t.
Date of loss : 1852, Sep 12
Place of loss : near Ashtabula, OH
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : (storm)
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : She stranded and was a total loss. Her remains were reportedly still visible from well out in the lake in 1871.
Owned by S.M. Johnson of Chicago.
Sources : lhl,hgl,is,nsp,wl
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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.
Image with the fallen spar on deck, GLMD
Sources : nsp,mv,mpl,eas
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WOODMAN
Other names : none
Official no. : C none
Type at loss : scow-schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1846, Normandale, Ont.
Specs : 77x18x5, 61 t.
Date of loss : 1851
Place of loss : unreported
Lake : (Ontario)
Type of loss : (storm)
Loss of life : ?
Carrying : ?
Detail : Stranded and a total loss. Out of Port Dover.
Sources : mmgl,hgl
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JANE C. WOODRUFF
Other names : also seen as J.S. WOODRUFF
Official no. : C88635
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 3-mast
Build info : 1866, L. Shickluna, St. Catharines, Ont.
Specs : 139x26x11, 228gc 228nc
Date of loss : 1886, Nov 21
Place of loss : Indian Shoals, near Giant’s Tomb, Georgian B
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : lumber.
Detail : Bound French R. for Collingwood, she sheltered from the storm under Giant’s Tomb. Her chains eventually broke and she was driven ashore. She went to pieces the following winter. Owned by Rough of St. Catharines
Sources : mmgl,nsp,slh,hgl
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L.C. WOODRUFF
Other names : none
Official no. : 14609
Type at loss : bark, wood, 3-mast
Build info : 1866, F.N. Jones, Buffalo
Specs : 170x33x13, 549 t.
Date of loss : 1878, Nov 1
Place of loss : 1 mile N of White Lake harbor
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 3
Carrying : corn
Detail : Bound Chicago for Buffalo, she was driven ashore and wrecked while sheltering. Three crewmen were lost when they tried to come ashore on the whip-line used to carry the hawser to the ship before the Lifesaving Service’s beach apparatus was set up. The surviving crew was rescued from the rigging. Lifesaving Service attended 5 wrecks that day, saving 29. Master: Capt. James Lingham.
Significant wreckage from her came ashore near the White Lake lighthouse in January, 1879. Remains were subsequently buried by the shifting dunes. Wreckage that appeared in late 2018 had been identified as her, but some historians are not so sure.
Sources : usls,mv,mpl,nsp
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S. D. WOODRUFF
Other names : built as brig BEAVER, renamed in 1858
Official no. : C ?
Type at loss : bark, wood, 3-mast [described as a “timber trader”]
Build info : 1850, Du Bord, Quebec
Specs : 138x23x12, 360 t.
Date of loss : 1873, Oct (15)
Place of loss : near Leamington, Ont.
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : timber
Detail : She was driven ashore and pounded to pieces next to the steamer J. D. CROWE (qv) and became a total loss after 23 years of service. Out of Hamilton, Ont.
Reportedly built for the ocean trade, she was copper-fastened.
Major repairs in 1852; rebuilt by J&J Abbey, Port Robinson, Ont., in 1858. Wrecked on Braddock Point, Lake Ont, in Dec, 1856 and thought to be a total loss.
Sources : nsp,clu,rsl,mmgl,wmn
—-———————————
LEWIS WOODRUFF – See ARGUS
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JESSE WOODS
Other names : also seen as JANE WOODS
Official no. : C none
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1833, Niagara Dock Co., Niagara, Ont.
Specs : 73x18x7, 82 t.
Date of loss : 1854, Nov (Friday before Nov 15)
Place of loss : the Highlands, 14 mi below Toronto
Lake : Ontario
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : marble, merchandise and 400 bbl salt
Detail : She was heading into Toronto in a gale when her skipper mistook a fishing light for the Toronto harbor light and went ashore.
Owned by Forward & Smith, Oswego. Master: Capt. Hamilton.
Sold US 1853.
Was at one time used by the Canadian government as a warship.
Sources : nsp,wmn not in hgl
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NETT WOODWARD
Other names : often seen as NETTIE WOODWARD
Official no. : C none
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1867, A. Woodward, Port Rowan
Specs : 107x25x9, 175 t.
Date of loss : 1892, Aug 31
Place of loss : near Southampton, Ont
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 2
Carrying : cedar
Detail : While attempting to come into Southampton harbor in a gale, she went out of control and capsized. She later drifted ashore, a total wreck. Her mate boarded a makeshift hatchcover raft and drifted all the way across the harbor and past several other vessels. He finally washed up on the other side, where he died of exposure.
In late Sep, 1889, when bound for Detroit, she was driven ashore near Southampton, Ont., and expected to break up.
Sources : nsp,wl,,polk,mmgl,bb,
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MARY WOOLSON
Other names : none
Official no. : 91988
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 3-mast
Build info : 1888, J. Davidson, W. Bay City hull# 18
Specs : 179x35x13, 709g 673n
Date of loss : 1920, Jul 8 or 18
Place of loss : 8 mi NE of Sturgeon Pt., near Harrisville, MI
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : Tow of steamer CHARLES D. BRADLEY(qv) with MIZTEC, both barges rammed BRADLEY from astern when the steamer slowed in mid-lake. WOOLSON damaged her bow heavily and soon foundered. The steamer HURON rescued the crews of the barges.
See also MIZTEC
Sources : mv,vbs,phr,nsp,slh,ns3,lhdc,eas,glmd
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J. R. WORSWICK
Other names : also seen as J. R. WARWICK
Official no. : 75993
Type at loss : propeller tug, wood
Build info : 1878, H. D. Root, Lorain, Oh
Specs : 48x11x5, 11g 6n
Date of loss : 1894, Nov 1
Place of loss : 3 mi E of the piers at Cleveland
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : foundered
Loss of life : none
Carrying : none
Detail : This little tug foundered just outside the harbor. Her three crewmen clung to the wreck until rescued by the tug PENOLA. No reason was given for the foundering, and there was no general storm going on at the time. Out of Cleveland, owned by Capt. Edward Dahlke. Though declared a total loss, she was in only 25 feet of water and was removed the following summer, but there is no record of her being used again.
Rebuilt, 1881-2
Sources : bbas,hgl,mv,polk,jb,es,nsp
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GEORGE WORTHINGTON
Other names : none
Official no. : 10223
Type at loss : schooner-barge, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1853, W. Treat, Euclid Creek, OH
Specs : 120 ft., 231gt 220nt
Date of loss : 1887, Jul 22
Place of loss : near Colchester Shoal
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : collision
Loss of life : none
Carrying : light
Detail : She was wrecked and sank following a nighttime collision with the ore-carrying schooner GEORGE W. DAVIS. She was later dragged in closer to shore by two tugs, but was probably never recovered.
Out of Detroit, owned by W. E. Rice.
Also foundered in the Straits of Mackinac, near St. Helena Isl., in 1875 and grounded near Racine in Nov of the same year.
Major repairs in 1861, 65
Sources : mv,polk,slh,hgl,bb,jb,es,ew
—-———————————
H. LUELLA WORTHINGTON – See N.J. NESSEN
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JAMES G. WORTS
Other names : also seen as J.G. WATTS
Official no. : C71245
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 3-mast
Build info : 1874, W. Jamieson, Mill Point, Ont.
Specs : 136x26x11, 345g 309n
Date of loss : 1895, Nov 8
Place of loss : W of Tobermory, Ont.
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : 20,000 bu wheat
Detail : In tow of the steamer CITY OF OWEN SOUND(qv), she stranded on Devil’s Island Bank, near Cove Isl. She was dismasted by another storm the 13th and later pounded to pieces. Out of Toronto, owned by David Sylvester. Master: Capt. Geo. Williamson.
Local lightkeeper was drowned the next day while attempting to visit the wreck’s cargo.
Sources : eas,hgl,win,clu,slh,h,nsp,hgl,mpl,glmd
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ALBERT WRIGHT – See AHTEEK
≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈≈
ALBERT J. WRIGHT – See SMITH
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ALFRED P. WRIGHT
Other names : none also seen as A.P. WRIGHT
Official no. : 105722
Type at loss : propeller steam tug, wood
Build info : 1877, G. Notter, Buffalo
Specs : 56gt 29nt
Date of loss : 1886, Nov 29
Place of loss : in harbor at Manistee, MI
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : none
Detail : In a blizzard and gale her line parted from the schooner A.J. DEWEY and fouled her wheel. Disabled, she later capsized and her frozen crew clung to her until one crewman swam 1000 feet to shore and summoned the Lifesaving Service. 3 lifesavers were lost during the rescue of the DEWEY crew later that day. The tug finally drifted ashore and broke up. Owned by Lewis Sands
Sources : mv,polk,nsp,h,hgl,es
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ALFRED P. WRIGHT
Other names : none
Official no. : 106539
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight
Build info : 1888, T. Quayle & Sons, Cleveland, OH
Specs : 286x42x22, 2207g 1899n
Date of loss : 1915, Nov 16
Place of loss : Portage Ship Canal, near White City, MI
Lake : Superior
Type of loss : fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : wheat
Detail : While sheltering from a storm in the canal, she caught fire and burned to a total loss. Her crew escaped. Fire originated in the ship’s coal bunkers. Wreck is located near the South Entry where it was towed after the machinery was removed. Master: Capt. George E. Benham. Owner: Buckeye Steamship Co., Cleveland.
Sources : eas,mv,ns2,gwgl,is,nsp,mv,bb,mpl
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D. G. WRIGHT
Other names : also seen as D. B. WRIGHT
Official no. : 35185
Type at loss : scow-schooner, wood
Build info : 1868, L. Ingraham, South Haven
Specs : 125 t.
Date of loss : 1875, May 11-12
Place of loss : 9 mi N of South Haven, Mich
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : 6
Carrying : (lumber)
Detail : She loaded at Saugatuck the evening of May 11 and left for Chicago. A short time later a storm blew up and the following day her capsized hulk washed ashore at the point shown. May have been recovered. Owned by Foster, Wilber & Co., Chicago.
Shows in 1869 and 72 mv as an unrigged scow.
Sources : nsp,hgl,mv,bb
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JOHN B. WRIGHT
Other names : also seen as J.B. WRIGHT
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood
Build info : 1854, Quayle & Martin, Cleveland
Specs : 139x26x11*, 384 t.
Date of loss : 1854, Oct 3
Place of loss : 2 mi S of Pentwater, Mich [reported as 70 mi N of Grand Haven]
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : stranded
Loss of life : none
Carrying : coal, 100 kegs nails, kegs of rivets, 700 teirces beef, 100 tons grindstones
Detail : Bound Cleveland for Chicago, she went ashore for unknown reasons on her first trip. Her crew was reportedly rescued by locals. Though she only lay in 7 feet of water, she was destroyed by subsequent gales. Master: Capt. C. Gale. Owner: Handy, Warner & Co., Cleveland.
Most of her kegs of nails and rivets were salvaged in 1884, but many nails still wash ashore at the site.
*estimated
Sources : hgl,nsp,bb,phs,mmo
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LUTHER WRIGHT
Other names : none?
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 3-mast
Build info : before 1848, Huron, OH
Specs : 195 t.
Date of loss : 1854, Nov 30
Place of loss : Gravelly Bay
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : 8,000 bu corn
Detail : Bound Toledo for a Kingston distillery, she was driven ashore and pounded to pieces.
Owned out of Buffalo by Capt. Bain and Bros., and sailed by Capt. Bain.
She was reportedly the 2nd three-mast schooner built on the lakes. The first was the 127 t. schooner OWANUNGAH, built in 1835 and converted to a brig in 1842.
Sources : nsp,hgl,wl,rnc
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M. W. WRIGHT
Other names : none
Official no. : 17825
Type at loss : propeller, wood, excursion boat, tug and yacht
Build info : 1868, Elliott, Depauville, NY*
Specs : 70x14x5, 34g 24n
Date of loss : 1884, Nov 14
Place of loss : near Cross Village, Mich
Lake : Michigan
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : fish, passengers
Detail : Bound Beaver Island for Charlevoix when she ran into a severe gale. She was driven ashore near Cross Village and a few days later was reported going to pieces. She ran excursions in the summer and carried local cargoes off- season. Owned by Capt. Chamberlin – out of Charlevoix.
*upriver from Chaumont, NY and well inland
Still in MV until at least 1892, Beeson’s 1891, other souces (glmd) say abandoned in 1893
Sources : mr,wl,hr,wmhs,mv
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SILAS WRIGHT
Other names : none
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1852, L. Goler, Cape Vincent, NY
Specs : 75x17x6, 70 t.
Date of loss : 1860, Sep 13
Place of loss : near Dunkirk, NY
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : (storm)
Loss of life : none
Carrying : light
Detail : Bound Barcelona, NY, for Buffalo, she reportedly went ashore and was wrecked. Owned and sailed by Capt. A. VanNorman
Sources : nsp,hgl,wl,rnc
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TOM WRONG
Other names : none built as the large tug and wrecker DICK TINTO, renamed S.E. IVES in 1856, last name in 1863
Official no. : C33579
Type at loss : bark, wood [also seen as schooner]
Build info : 1853, W. Jones, Cleveland, OH as a large tug
Specs : 117x23x8, 150 t.
Date of loss : 1866, Nov 11
Place of loss : near Port Burwell, Ont.
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : light
Detail : Bound Buffalo for Port Stanley, she attempted to put into the harbor, but wrecked on the piers and was lost, despite the efforts of the crack wrecker MAGNET. Her owners later sued the Port Burwell harbor because the lighthouse and harbor had been closed due to silting between the time the WRONG passed downbound and the return trip. The suit was unsuccessful, as the harbor had given plenty of notice in the papers, etc. Her owner subsequently sold the wreck for $800, and she was not removed from Canadian registry until 1881, but this accident was probably her end.
Also ashore and damaged near Fairport, Ohio, in April of the same year.
Sold Canadian, 1863.
Sources : hgl,mmgl,sagl,globe,rsl,nsp,wl
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WYANDOTTE
Other names : also seen as WYANDOT
Official no. : none
Type at loss : schooner, wood, 2-mast
Build info : 1833, Lower Sandusky, OH
Specs : 79x23x9, 141 t. om
Date of loss : 1853, Oct 20
Place of loss : 15 mi E of Erie, PA
Lake : Erie
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : coal
Detail : Sprang a leak while downbound and sank in 75 feet of water. Her crew escaped in her boat. Valued at $2000. Probably out of Buffalo.
Rebuilt and enlarged in 1841, originally 70x22x7, 99 t.
Sources : nsp,wl,wmn,wmhs,is(3-86)
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T. WYMAN
Other names : none also seen as WIMAN
Official no. : none
Type at loss : brig, wood, 2-mast (also seen as steamer)
Build info : 1845, Oswego, NY
Specs : 100x24x9, 197 t. om
Date of loss : 1855, Oct 4
Place of loss : Pte. Aux Barques, MI
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm
Loss of life : none
Carrying : ?
Detail : She was driven on a reef and destroyed. At first it was thought that she could be rescued, but she was stripped and abandoned within a week. Master: Capt. Bartlett.
Sources : hgl,slh,nsp,wl
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WYOMING
Other names : none
Official no. : 80135
Type at loss : propeller, wood, bulk freight “rabbit”
Build info : 1870, Dunford, Detroit
Specs : 147x28x9, 350 t.
Date of loss : 1904, Nov 12
Place of loss : off Pte Aux Barques, MI
Lake : Huron
Type of loss : storm/fire
Loss of life : none
Carrying : timbers
Detail : She caught fire in a storm, burned and foundered 8 mi E of Burnt Cabin Point. The crew was rescued by the Lifesaving Service. She was bound Lake Superior for Goderich, Ont. and was owned by Shannon & Garey of Saginaw.
Built as 119x29x10, 154 t. steambarge, converted to an unpowered barge in 1873. Stranded near Forester, MI, Lake Huron in Oct, 1871, and reported broken up. Sunk near Port Huron in 1876. Converted to 147x28x9,289 t. schooner at Pt Huron in 1882, and back a to propeller steamer at AuSable, MI, in 1891.
Sunk north of Port Huron in 1892.
Image from Bruce County Museum
Sources : polk,ns1,phr,mv,slh,hdm,nsp,mpl,glmd,hgl,mv
Great Lakes Shipwreck Files 
