Identification & Site Information

• Name: Kate Winslow
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 14281
• Date Built & Launched: 1872
• Builder: James Davidson, East Saginaw, Michigan
• Specifications: 203 ft x 35 ft x 13 ft (61.9 m x 10.7 m x 4.0 m), 736 gross tons, 699 net tons
• Vessel Type: Three-masted wooden Schooner
• Date Lost: October 14, 1897
• Place of Loss: 10 miles off Seul Choix Point, Beaver Passage, Lake Michigan
• Cause of Loss: Storm; Foundered after breaking tow
• Cargo: 1,200 tons of Pig Iron
• Master: Captain E. J. Cuyler
• Port of Departure: Gladstone, Michigan
• Port of Destination: Sandusky, Ohio

Vessel Type

The Kate Winslow was a large wooden three-masted Schooner, designed to carry bulk cargoes such as iron, coal, and lumber across the Great Lakes. Built by James Davidson, a renowned shipbuilder in East Saginaw, Michigan, the vessel was among the larger schooners of its time, built to operate in the heavy commercial trade between the upper and lower lakes.

Description & History

The Kate Winslow was launched in 1872, at a time when the Great Lakes shipping industry was thriving. Large schooners like the Kate Winslow were commonly used to haul bulk commodities such as iron ore, Pig Iron, coal, and grain. Given its impressive size, it was a significant vessel in the lakes’ shipping lanes, often requiring a tow from steam-powered ships to efficiently transport its cargo.

On October 14, 1897, the Kate Winslow was part of a tow convoy, along with the Schooner May Richards, being pulled by the steam-powered propeller Queen of the West. The convoy was en route from Gladstone, Michigan, to Sandusky, Ohio, carrying 1,200 tons of Pig Iron—a common commodity used for steel manufacturing.

As the convoy passed through Beaver Passage near Beaver Island, approximately 10 miles off Seul Choix Point, a severe gale struck. The Kate Winslow’s Towline broke, leaving the vessel adrift in the storm. Despite the crew’s efforts to regain control, the Schooner was unable to reach shelter at Seul Choix (“Sole Choice”), a common safe harbor for vessels in distress. The high winds and waves ultimately overwhelmed the ship, causing it to founder and sink.

Fortunately, the crew managed to escape in a lifeboat and successfully reached shore, avoiding any loss of life. The ship was a Total Loss, sinking beneath the waves of Lake Michigan.

Notably, the Kate Winslow was one of three schooners owned by the Duff family that were lost on October 14, albeit in different years. The Nellie A. Duff and C.B. Benson also met their fate on this date, making it an unfortunate day in the family’s maritime history.

Final Disposition

The Kate Winslow sank in deep waters off Beaver Passage, and no substantial salvage efforts are recorded. The wreck likely settled on the lakebed, but its exact location remains unknown.

Located By & Date Found

No confirmed discovery of the wreck has been documented.

NOTMARs & Advisories

The area around Seul Choix Point and Beaver Passage is known for strong currents and sudden storms, making it a historically dangerous passage for sailing vessels. No modern navigational hazards directly linked to this wreck.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The Kate Winslow was a significant Schooner in the Great Lakes’ late 19th-century shipping industry, primarily transporting bulk materials. Its loss in 1897 highlights the dangers of the Great Lakes’ unpredictable weather, especially for towed vessels. Though no lives were lost, the wreck remains a mystery, and its exact resting place in Lake Michigan has yet to be confirmed.

Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Great Lakes shipwrecks, Schooner, Beaver Passage, Seul Choix Point, Great Lakes storms, Pig Iron trade

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, 19th-century shipwrecks, wooden schooners, lost vessels

Glossary Terms: Schooner, Pig Iron, Beaver Passage, Seul Choix