Shipwreck Report: DRIVER (1856)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: DRIVER (misidentified in newspapers as Diver)
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 6201
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood-hulled, 2-mast, bulk freight
• Date Built and Launched: 1856
• Builder: J.M. Jones, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Measurements: 103 ft (31.4 m) length, 26 ft (7.9 m) beam, 8 ft (2.4 m) depth; 137 gross tons, 130 net tons
• Date Lost: August 30, 1901
• Place of Loss: Off South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden Two-Masted Bulk Freight Schooner

Description

The DRIVER was a wooden-hulled, two-masted schooner, built in 1856 by J.M. Jones in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. At 103 feet in length and 137 gross tons, she was designed for bulk freight transport, primarily carrying materials such as hardwood, coal, and grain across Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes.

Throughout her career, the DRIVER was owned and operated out of Benton Harbour, Michigan, under the ownership of Eric Anderson. The vessel was commanded by Captain Victor Anderson at the time of her loss.

The Schooner underwent major repairs in 1877 and 1883, indicating she had survived earlier damage and continued operating despite her age.

History

The DRIVER was an active vessel in Great Lakes commerce for over 45 years, serving as a workhorse in the wood and bulk freight trade. She had a history of surviving severe weather events, including a waterlogging incident in 1865 that resulted in one fatality.

In 1883, the DRIVER also played a role in rescue operations, helping save the crew of the Steamer H.C. AKELEY, a notable event in her long career.

Final Voyage & Loss

On August 30, 1901, the DRIVER was carrying a cargo of hardwood when she encountered a sudden squall off South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan. Observers from Glen Haven, Michigan, saw her capsize during the storm. For several days, the DRIVER remained adrift upside-down, creating a hazard to navigation as a dangerous derelict. Eventually, the vessel washed ashore near Point Betsie, further north along the Michigan shoreline.

The five crew members Abandoned ship early in a small Yawl boat, but their whereabouts remained unknown for several days. It wasn’t until September 4, 1901, that they arrived in Chicago, confirming their survival. The vessel was declared a Total Loss after coming ashore, ending her long and storied service.

Final Disposition

Capsized in a squall on August 30, 1901, off South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan. The wreck drifted upside-down for days before coming ashore near Point Betsie. The crew Abandoned ship but survived, arriving in Chicago on September 4, 1901.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no confirmed reports of the DRIVER‘s wreck being found, though she washed ashore near Point Betsie.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the DRIVER‘s wreck.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The DRIVER‘s loss in 1901 highlights the ever-present danger of sudden storms on the Great Lakes, particularly for aging wooden schooners. Having operated for 45 years, she was a seasoned vessel that had survived multiple incidents, including a fatal waterlogging in 1865 and her role in rescuing the crew of the H.C. AKELEY in 1883.

The capsizing and drifting of the DRIVER as a dangerous derelict illustrates the unpredictability of shipwrecks, while the safe escape of her crew reflects the resilience and survival instincts of Great Lakes mariners. Though the vessel was eventually lost, her legacy as a long-serving freighter remains part of Lake Michigan’s rich maritime history.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: DRIVER Schooner shipwreck, South Manitou Island shipwreck, Point Betsie Lake Michigan loss, Benton Harbor maritime history, Eric Anderson shipowner
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Benton Harbor Shipping History
• Glossary Terms:
• Squall: A sudden, violent windstorm often accompanied by rain, snow, or thunderstorms, common on the Great Lakes.
• Yawl Boat: A small boat carried by larger vessels, often used for emergency evacuations or towing operations.
• Derelict: A wrecked or Abandoned vessel still floating and posing a navigational hazard.