Identification & Site Information

• Name: Alnwick
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 565
• Date Built and Launched: 1851
• Builder: L. Goler, Cape Vincent, New York
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner, 2-Masted
• Hull Material: Wood
• Measurements:Length: 90 ft (27.4 m) Beam: 20 ft (6.1 m)Depth: 8 ft (2.4 m)
• Tonnage: 104 tons (new measurement), 122 tonnage (Old Style)
• Date Lost: October 8, 1871
• Place of Loss: Chicago waterfront, Illinois
• Lake: Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Fire
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Unknown

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Vessel Type:
The Alnwick was a two-masted wooden schooner, designed for bulk freight transport across the Great Lakes. Schooners like the Alnwick were essential workhorses, moving cargo such as grain, coal, timber, and other goods between the burgeoning industrial centers along the lakes.

Description:
Built in 1851 by L. Goler in Cape Vincent, New York, the Alnwick measured 90 feet in length, with a beam of 20 feet and a depth of 8 feet. She had a tonnage of 104 under the newer measurement system and 122 tons under the old measurement. The Schooner was refastened in 1862, indicating structural repairs or reinforcement to extend her operational life.

Owned by John Read of Milwaukee, the Alnwick was actively engaged in Great Lakes commerce, navigating between ports such as Chicago, Milwaukee, and Buffalo.

History:
The Alnwick operated during a time of rapid industrial expansion on the Great Lakes, contributing to the movement of goods vital to the growth of cities like Chicago. Her refastening in 1862 suggests she was well-maintained and remained competitive in the increasingly busy maritime trade.

Schooners like the Alnwick were commonly seen along the Chicago waterfront, which by the mid-19th century had become one of the busiest ports in North America, fueled by the city’s central role in the grain trade, lumber, and meatpacking industries.

Final Voyage and Loss:
On October 8, 1871, the Alnwick was burned to a Total Loss during the Great Chicago Fire, one of the most devastating urban fires in U.S. history. The fire, which began the evening of October 8, quickly spread across the city due to dry conditions, high winds, and the prevalence of wooden buildings and infrastructure.

The Chicago River and waterfront were lined with schooners and other vessels, many of which were moored close together, making them highly vulnerable to the rapidly spreading flames. The Alnwick was among the many ships destroyed as the fire consumed the waterfront.

Despite the catastrophic nature of the event, there were no reported fatalities among the Alnwick‘s crew. The fire, however, marked the end of her service life as she was burned beyond repair.

The Great Chicago Fire:
The Great Chicago Fire destroyed over 17,000 buildings and left approximately 100,000 people homeless. The maritime sector was particularly hard-hit, as the city’s port facilities and numerous vessels, including the Alnwick, were consumed by the flames. The fire fundamentally reshaped Chicago’s infrastructure and prompted a massive rebuilding effort, including the modernization of its port facilities.

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Final Disposition:
The Alnwick was burned to a Total Loss in the Great Chicago Fire and was not salvaged. Her remains, along with many other destroyed vessels, would have been cleared during the city’s extensive post-fire cleanup and rebuilding process.

Located By & Date Found:
There is no known modern discovery of the Alnwick‘s remains. The wreck would have been located along the Chicago River or Lake Michigan waterfront, but any remnants are likely buried beneath modern infrastructure.

NOTMARs & Advisories:
No navigational hazards associated with the Alnwick are present today, as the area has been extensively redeveloped following the Great Chicago Fire.

Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database – BGSU
• Chicago Maritime Museum
• Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy

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Conclusion

The Alnwick‘s loss during the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 reflects the vulnerability of Great Lakes shipping to urban disasters. As a two-masted Schooner built in 1851, the Alnwick served the thriving maritime commerce of Lake Michigan for two decades before meeting her end in one of the most infamous fires in American history. While her physical remains have been lost to time, the Alnwick is part of the broader story of Chicago’s rise, destruction, and rebirth as a major industrial and shipping hub.

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Keywords: Alnwick, Great Chicago Fire, Lake Michigan Schooner, Chicago Waterfront, Maritime Fire, Great Lakes Shipping
Categories: Great Lakes Schooners, Maritime Disasters, 19th Century Urban Fires
Glossary Terms: Schooner, Total Loss, Refastened, Great Chicago Fire, Burned Ship