Shipwreck Report: JOSEPHINE DRESDEN (1852)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: JOSEPHINE DRESDEN
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 12756
• Type at Loss: Wooden Two-Masted Schooner (Grand Haven “Jackass” Rig)
• Date Built and Launched: 1852
• Builder: John Betts, Michigan City, Indiana
• Measurements: 95 ft (29 m) length, 21 ft (6.4 m) beam, 6 ft (1.8 m) depth; 84 gross tons, 80 net tons
• Date Lost: November 27, 1907
• Place of Loss: Crescent, Michigan, West Side of North Manitou Island, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Two-Masted Auxiliary Schooner (Grand Haven “Jackass” Rig)

Description

The JOSEPHINE DRESDEN was a two-masted wooden Schooner, built in 1852 by John Betts in Michigan City, Indiana. A “Grand Haven jackass-rig” referred to a modified rigging style commonly used on smaller Great Lakes schooners, optimizing their handling and maneuverability in tight harbors and variable wind conditions.

One of her most notable features was her auxiliary gas engine, making her the first vessel on the Great Lakes to have a gas-powered engine. This pioneering use of auxiliary propulsion led to her sometimes being classified as an “auxiliary Schooner” or “gas Schooner”, and she was even listed among steamers in official U.S. Merchant Vessel records.

The vessel primarily carried lumber and shingles, two high-demand commodities for the rapidly growing cities around the Great Lakes.

History

The JOSEPHINE DRESDEN had a long and eventful service life spanning 55 years.

• 1857 Collision: Nearly cut in two after a collision with the propeller ECLIPSE in May 1857. She was repaired and returned to service.
• 1867 Rebuild: The vessel ran aground at St. Joseph, Michigan, and was seriously damaged. She was Rebuilt that same year, extending her operational life.
• Early 1900s: By the early 20th century, wooden schooners were declining in numbers, replaced by larger steamers and steel-hulled freighters. However, the JOSEPHINE DRESDEN continued to operate, aided by her gasoline engine, which allowed her to navigate when winds were unfavorable.

Final Voyage & Loss

On November 27, 1907, the JOSEPHINE DRESDEN was upbound on Lake Michigan, carrying a load of shingles (or possibly lumber/ballast, as reports vary). She sought shelter from an approaching gale at Crescent, Michigan, on the west side of North Manitou Island.

During the storm, high winds and waves tore her from the dock and drove her ashore, where she was completely wrecked. Given the severity of the weather, the crew was fortunate to survive the ordeal.

The vessel was declared a Total Loss, ending her decades-long career as one of the most unique schooners on the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition

Torn from her dock by gale-force winds and wrecked at Crescent, Michigan, on the west side of North Manitou Island, Lake Michigan, on November 27, 1907. The vessel was a Total Loss, but no lives were lost.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no confirmed reports of the JOSEPHINE DRESDEN‘s wreck being located.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the wreck.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• NOAA Great Lakes Shipwrecks

Conclusion

The JOSEPHINE DRESDEN was a trailblazer in Great Lakes shipping, being the first vessel on the lakes to use an auxiliary gas engine. Built in 1852, she served for over half a century, enduring collisions, groundings, and a changing shipping industry before finally succumbing to a Lake Michigan storm in 1907.

Her combination of traditional sail power with an early internal combustion engine makes her a historically significant vessel, marking an early transition between sailing ships and steam/engine-powered vessels on the Great Lakes.

Though her wreck has never been found, the story of her loss at Crescent, Michigan, remains part of Lake Michigan’s rich maritime history.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: JOSEPHINE DRESDEN Schooner shipwreck, North Manitou Island wreck, Great Lakes gas Schooner, Grand Haven jackass rig, early auxiliary schooners
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, Lumber Trade Vessels, Early Engine-Powered Ships
• Glossary Terms:
• Grand Haven “Jackass” Rig: A specialized rigging style common to smaller Great Lakes schooners, improving maneuverability.
• Gas Schooner: A sailing vessel equipped with an auxiliary gasoline engine, an early hybrid between sail and mechanical power.
• North Manitou Island: A hazardous area for navigation in Lake Michigan, known for shipwrecks and treacherous weather conditions.