Shipwreck Report: William O. Brown (1872, Wooden Schooner)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: William O. Brown
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Tonnage: 400 tons
• Build Details: Unknown
• Final Voyage: November 27, 1872
• Location: Rocks near Point Mamainse, north of Pancake Bay, Lake Superior
• Cargo: Wheat
• Incident Details
• Cause of Loss: A midnight gale drove the William O. Brown onto the rocks near Point Mamainse.

The storm caused one of the masts to be torn up, leaving a hole in the Deck. The hold quickly filled with water, compromising the vessel’s structural integrity. The Schooner ultimately broke in two under the pressure of the heavy seas. 

Casualties: Two crew members were washed overboard and drowned.  The remaining five crew members managed to make it to shore in freezing, snowy conditions. Tragically, only three survived, succumbing to the harsh winter environment.

Survival Efforts: The survivors managed to recover and repair a small boat from the wreckage of the William O. Brown.  After several days of enduring severe conditions, they sailed the small boat into Batchawana Bay, where they discovered a logging camp and were rescued.

Significance

The loss of the William O. Brown highlights the immense dangers faced by wooden schooners navigating Lake Superiorduring the late shipping season. With no modern weather forecasting or rescue infrastructure, such vessels were highly vulnerable to storms and freezing conditions in late November.

Legacy

The wreck of the William O. Brown remains an enduring reminder of the perilous conditions of Great Lakes navigation in the 19th century. Though little physical evidence of the wreck is known to survive, the stories of the crew’s survival and their journey to safety are preserved in local lore.