Identification & Site Information

• Name: ANTELOPE
• Former Names: Built as ELLEN G. COCHRAN, renamed ANTELOPE before 1883
• Official Number: 135356
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood-hulled, 2-masted
• Date Built and Launched: 1878
• Builder: Grand Haven or Muskegon, Michigan
• Measurements: 56 ft (17.1 m) length, 16 ft (4.9 m) beam, 5 ft (1.5 m) depth; 32 gross tons, 30 net tons
• Date Lost: November 15, 1894
• Place of Loss: Near Grand Haven, Michigan, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden Two-Masted Schooner

Description

The ANTELOPE was a small, wooden two-masted Schooner originally launched as the ELLEN G. COCHRAN in 1878. With modest dimensions and tonnage, the Schooner was designed for regional cargo transport along Lake Michigan’s coastline. Her size made her suitable for hauling Lighter loads, and her shallow Draft allowed her to access smaller harbors along the Michigan shoreline.

History

The Schooner began her life as the ELLEN G. COCHRAN, built in Grand Haven or Muskegon, Michigan. By 1883, she had been renamed ANTELOPE and was actively engaged in freight transportation across Lake Michigan, operating primarily out of Muskegon under the ownership of Captain John Larson.

On November 15, 1894, the ANTELOPE was en route from South Chicago to Muskegon, traveling light—meaning she was not heavily laden with cargo. As the vessel approached Grand Haven, she encountered a strong southwest gale, a common but dangerous weather phenomenon on Lake Michigan during late autumn. The Schooner capsized and broke up while attempting to navigate into Grand Haven Harbor. The combination of high winds and rough waves likely overwhelmed the small vessel, which was not heavily weighted down to stabilize her in the storm.

The tragedy resulted in the loss of four lives: three crew members and one passenger. Despite the efforts of Captain Larson, who owned and skippered the vessel, the Schooner could not withstand the gale’s force.

Final Disposition

Capsized and broke up near Grand Haven, Michigan, in a southwest gale on November 15, 1894. The vessel was a Total Loss.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—no confirmed reports of the wreck’s recovery or current location.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the ANTELOPE wreck site near Grand Haven, Lake Michigan.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association

Conclusion

The loss of the ANTELOPE in 1894 underscores the treacherous nature of late-season shipping on Lake Michigan. Even for experienced captains like John Larson, the lake’s sudden and powerful gales could prove fatal, especially for smaller, lightly loaded vessels like the ANTELOPE. The Schooner’s tragic capsizing while attempting to reach the safety of Grand Haven Harbor resulted in the loss of four lives and marked the end of a vessel that had served the region’s shipping needs for over 15 years. Her story is a testament to the risks faced by mariners navigating the Great Lakes during the height of the 19th-century maritime trade.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: ANTELOPE Schooner, Grand Haven shipwreck, Lake Michigan Schooner loss, southwest gale shipwreck, Captain John Larson Muskegon, ELLEN G. COCHRAN
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Muskegon Maritime History
• Glossary Terms:
• Southwest Gale: A powerful wind originating from the southwest, often causing hazardous conditions on Lake Michigan, particularly near the western Michigan shoreline.
• Capsized: A vessel that has overturned in the water, often leading to structural failure or sinking.
• Traveling Light: A term indicating that a vessel is carrying little to no cargo, which can affect stability in rough seas.