Shipwreck Report: H.C. AKELEY (1881)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: H.C. AKELEY
• Official Number: 95639
• Type at Loss: Bulk Freighter, wood-hulled
• Date Built and Launched: 1881
• Builder: Thomas W. Kirby (Mechanics Dry Dock Company), Grand Haven, Michigan
• Master Carpenter: John Callister
• Measurements: 231.6 ft (70.6 m) length, 35.1 ft (10.7 m) beam, 18.7 ft (5.7 m) depth
• Tonnage: 1187 gross tons, 794.7 net tons
• Date Lost: November 13, 1883
• Place of Loss: 15 miles off Holland, Michigan, Lake Michigan
• Final Depth: 275 feet (84 m)

Vessel Type

Wooden Bulk Freighter (Screw Propeller)

Description

The H.C. AKELEY was a wooden-hulled bulk freighter, built in 1881 at Grand Haven, Michigan, by Thomas W. Kirby of the Mechanics Dry Dock Company. Designed for the Great Lakes grain, coal, and ore trade, she featured three masts, one smokestack, and two decks.

A unique aspect of her construction was the use of T.W. Kirby’s patent “Hog Rods”, a structural reinforcement system designed to prevent Hull flexing under heavy cargo loads. This innovation reflected efforts to extend the lifespan of wooden vessels competing against increasingly popular iron and steel freighters.

Her engine came from the GENERAL H.E. PAINE, a vessel wrecked at Grand Haven in 1879, showcasing the common practice of reusing valuable machinery in new ship construction.

The vessel was valued at $110,000 at the time of enrollment on May 20, 1881.

History

The H.C. AKELEY was jointly owned by Thomas W. Kirby and Healy C. Akeley, both from Grand Haven, Michigan. She was a major player in the bulk freight industry, regularly transporting grain, coal, and other bulk goods between Chicago, Milwaukee, and Buffalo.

The vessel underwent repairs at Wolf & Davidson’s Shipyard in Milwaukee on June 9, 1882, and was drydocked in July 1883 after grounding earlier that year.

Despite her modern construction, the unpredictability of Great Lakes storms would prove her undoing.

Final Voyage & Loss

On November 13, 1883, the H.C. AKELEY was laden with a cargo of corn and bound for Buffalo, New York, when she encountered a severe gale on Lake Michigan. The powerful storm battered the vessel, and she eventually Foundered about 15 miles off Holland, Michigan.

The crew of 17 desperately attempted to save the ship, but as the storm intensified, six crew members were lost. The remaining 11 managed to survive, likely by taking to lifeboats or being rescued by nearby vessels.

The tragedy underscored the dangers of early bulk freighters on the Great Lakes, where storms, shifting cargo, and Hull stress often led to disaster.

Final Disposition

Foundered in a gale on November 13, 1883, 15 miles off Holland, Michigan, in Lake Michigan. The vessel was a Total Loss.

• Crew of 17: 11 survived, 6 perished
• Final Cargo: Corn

The H.C. AKELEY lay undiscovered until 2001, when David Trotter, a well-known Great Lakes shipwreck hunter, located the wreck in 275 feet (84 m) of water.

Located By & Date Found

• Discovered in 2001 by David Trotter
• Resting depth: 275 feet (84 meters)

NOTMARs & Advisories

• The wreck lies in deep water, beyond typical recreational diving limits
• Visibility and current conditions may affect accessibility for technical divers

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Dossin Great Lakes Museum

Conclusion

The H.C. AKELEY represents a classic example of a 19th-century wooden bulk freighter, built during a period when Great Lakes commerce was expanding rapidly. Her cutting-edge Hull reinforcement system and use of salvaged machinery highlight the innovation and resourcefulness of shipbuilders of the era.

Her loss in a Lake Michigan gale in 1883 is a stark reminder of the perils faced by mariners, particularly in the early years of bulk freight transport. Though she was considered an advanced wooden freighter, she could not withstand the brutal forces of the Great Lakes, which claimed six lives that fateful night.

Her rediscovery in 2001 by David Trotter has provided valuable insights into the construction and operation of early bulk carriers, preserving an important piece of Great Lakes shipping history.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: H.C. AKELEY shipwreck, Holland Michigan shipwreck, Great Lakes bulk freighter, wooden freighter loss, David Trotter shipwreck discovery
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Bulk Freight Steamers, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Michigan Shipwrecks
• Glossary Terms:
• Foundered: A vessel taking on water and sinking, often due to storm conditions or structural failure.
• Hog Rods: A system of Hull reinforcement used to prevent flexing in wooden ships, particularly bulk carriers.
• Bulk Freighter: A cargo vessel designed to transport large quantities of bulk goods such as grain, coal, or iron ore across the Great Lakes.