Identification & Site Information

• Name: America
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 355
• Date Built and Launched: 1849
• Builder: Clayton, New York
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge
• Hull Material: Wood
• Measurements:Length: 138 ft (42.1 m) Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m) Depth: 10 ft (3 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 271 tons
• Net Tonnage: 257 tons
• Date Lost: 1907
• Place of Loss: Chambers Island, Lake Michigan
• Lake: Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: Unknown
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Iron ore

Vessel Type & Description

The America was a wooden Schooner-Barge built in 1849 in Clayton, New York. Originally constructed as a sailing Schooner, she was later converted into a Schooner-Barge for towing by steam tugs, a common practice in the late 19th century as the Great Lakes shipping industry transitioned from sail to steam.

With dimensions of 138 feet in length, a beam of 26 feet, and a depth of 10 feet, the America was well-suited for transporting bulk cargo like iron ore, coal, and timber across the Great Lakes. Her Gross Tonnage of 271 reflects her capacity to handle significant freight, making her a valuable asset in the regional trade network.

History

The America had a long service life spanning almost six decades, participating in the dynamic and expanding freight trade on the Great Lakes. Vessels like the America were essential to the transportation of raw materials that fueled the industrial growth of cities around the lakes.

1886 Incident:

In June 1886, the America reportedly went ashore near Cross Village, Michigan, and was Abandoned as a Total Loss. However, records indicate that the vessel may have been salvaged or that another vessel of the same name was involved, as the America continued in operation until her final loss in 1907.

Final Voyage & Loss

In 1907, while transporting a load of iron ore, the America encountered a severe storm on Lake Michigan near Chambers Island, which is located off the Door Peninsula in Wisconsin.

Details of the Loss:

• The vessel was driven aground by the storm, and the powerful waves caused her to break apart on the rocky shoreline.
• The fate of the crew is unclear, as records do not specify whether there were casualties or if the Barge was unmanned at the time of the incident (it was common for Schooner-barges to be towed without crew).

Final Disposition

After breaking up near Chambers Island, the America was Abandoned as a Total Loss. There are no records of salvage operations following her 1907 wreck.

Located By & Date Found

The America has not been definitively located, but Chambers Island and the surrounding Door Peninsula are well-known for shipwreck sites. It is possible that remnants of the vessel still exist but have not been positively identified.

NOTMARs & Advisories

The waters around Chambers Island are known for hazardous reefs and sudden weather shifts. Mariners and divers are advised to consult navigational charts and local dive resources when operating in this area.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The America‘s grounding and loss in 1907 near Chambers Island marked the end of a vessel with a long and active history on the Great Lakes. Built in 1849, the America served for nearly 60 years, adapting from a traditional Schooner to a Schooner-Barge as the industry shifted towards steam-powered towing. Despite being reportedly Abandoned in 1886, the vessel either returned to service or was misidentified in historical records. Her final wreck in 1907 underscores the dangers of Lake Michigan’s unpredictable weather and the challenges faced by vessels navigating the treacherous waters of the Door Peninsula.

Keywords: America, Chambers Island Shipwreck, Lake Michigan Schooner-Barge, Iron Ore Trade, Great Lakes Freight Vessels

Categories: Great Lakes Schooners, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Maritime Storm Disasters

Glossary Terms: Schooner-Barge, Grounding, Total Loss, Iron Ore Cargo, Great Lakes Storms