Identification & Site Information

• Name: David A. Wells
• Former Names: None documented
• Official Number: 6635
• Date Built and Launched: 1866
• Builder: A. Muir, Port Huron, Michigan
• Specifications: Length: 134 ft (40.84 m) Beam (Width): 26 ft (7.92 m) Depth of Hold: 12 ft (3.66 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 310 tons
• Date Lost: October 16, 1880
• Place of Loss: Approximately 7 miles northeast of Chicago Harbor, Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Foundered in a storm (known as the “Alpena Storm”)
• Loss of Life: 8 (entire crew, including Captain John Thierkauff)
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Iron ore, bound from Escanaba, Michigan, to Chicago, Illinois

Vessel Type

The David A. Wells was a wooden Schooner, initially built as a two-masted vessel, though reports from 1871 indicate she may have been modified into a three-masted Schooner during her operational life. Schooners were the primary cargo vessels of the Great Lakes during the mid-to-late 19th century, valued for their ability to transport heavy bulk materials like iron ore, lumber, and grain efficiently with minimal crew.

Description

Constructed in 1866 by shipbuilder A. Muir in Port Huron, Michigan, the David A. Wells measured 134 feet in length, with a 26-foot beam and a 12-foot depth of hold, totaling 310 gross tons. Her robust wooden Hull was designed to handle the demands of Great Lakes shipping, particularly in the iron ore trade, which connected the mining regions of the Upper Peninsula with the industrial centers of the Midwest.

While originally launched as a two-masted schooner, documentation from 1871 suggests she may have been re-rigged to carry three masts, a common modification to improve sailing efficiency and cargo capacity.

Operational History

The David A. Wells primarily operated in the iron ore trade, hauling ore from the port of Escanaba, Michigan, to industrial hubs like Chicago, where the burgeoning steel industry demanded vast quantities of raw materials. Owned out of Chicago, the vessel regularly traversed Lake Michigan, facing the region’s notorious storms and unpredictable weather.

In the fall of 1873, the Schooner went ashore near Silver Creek, New York, and was reportedly Abandoned. However, she must have been salvaged and returned to service, as records show her active until her loss in 1880. This incident reflects the common practice of recovering and repairing grounded vessels when economically feasible.

Final Voyage and Loss

On October 16, 1880, the David A. Wells was sailing from Escanaba to Chicago, loaded with iron ore, when she encountered the infamous “Alpena Storm”—one of the deadliest storms in Great Lakes history. This southeast galeclaimed numerous ships, including the Steamer Alpena, for which the storm is named.

While battling the violent seas approximately 7 miles northeast of Chicago Harbour, the David A. Wells was spotted in distress from shore, signaling for help. The Tug Little Giant was dispatched to rescue the crew, but before it could arrive, the Schooner’s lights vanished, indicating she had Foundered suddenly, overwhelmed by the storm’s fury.

Tragically, all 8 crew members perished, including Captain John Thierkauff. The combination of heavy iron ore cargo, strong winds, and massive waves likely caused the vessel to capsize or sink rapidly, leaving little time for the crew to escape.

Mysterious Reappearance (1889)

In an unusual twist, nine years after the sinking, in 1889, a spar (a long pole used to support sails or rigging)suddenly appeared protruding from the water at the presumed location of the wreck. This led to speculation that the David A. Wells had “righted herself” on the lake bottom, meaning she may have initially capsized but eventually settled upright on the lakebed. Such occurrences, while rare, are possible due to shifting currents, sediment, or changes in buoyancy as the vessel deteriorates underwater.

Final Disposition

The David A. Wells remains lost beneath Lake Michigan, near her last known location northeast of Chicago Harbour. Despite the appearance of the spar in 1889, there are no confirmed reports of the wreck being fully located, surveyed, or explored by modern divers. The iron ore cargo, along with the wooden Hull, may still be intact in parts, preserved in the cold, fresh waters of Lake Michigan.

Located By & Date Found

Nil – No confirmed discovery of the wreck, though the 1889 sighting of the spar suggests that the remains are likely in the area.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil – The wreck is not marked as a navigational hazard, and no formal maritime advisories are associated with the site. However, the area remains of interest to maritime archaeologists and shipwreck hunters exploring the “Alpena Storm”wrecks.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU)
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Wikipedia – Silver Creek NY
• Chicago Maritime Museum
• Wisconsin Shipwreck Coast National Marine Sanctuary

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

Keywords: David A. Wells, Schooner, Lake Michigan shipwreck, Alpena Storm, iron ore schooner, Great Lakes maritime disaster, Chicago shipwreck

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Iron Ore Schooners, Storm-Related Shipwrecks

Glossary Terms:

• Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, rigged fore-and-aft, commonly used for bulk cargo transport on the Great Lakes.
• Foundered: A maritime term meaning the vessel sank, typically due to flooding or capsizing during rough weather.
• Alpena Storm: A devastating storm that struck the Great Lakes on October 16, 1880, claiming numerous vessels and lives.
• Iron Ore: A bulk cargo commonly transported on the Great Lakes, used in steel production.
• Spar: A strong pole used to support sails, masts, or rigging on a ship.

Conclusion

The David A. Wells was a sturdy workhorse of the Great Lakes, serving the bustling iron ore trade for over a decade before succumbing to the devastating “Alpena Storm” of 1880. Her sudden disappearance and the subsequent reappearance of her spar in 1889 add an air of mystery to her tragic story. Though her wreck remains undiscovered, she serves as a stark reminder of the perils faced by sailors navigating the Great Lakes in the era before modern weather forecasting and maritime safety technologies.