Shipwreck Report: L.C. Woodruff (1866–1878)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: L.C. Woodruff
• Official Number: 14609
• Vessel Type: Three-Masted Wooden Bark
• Built: 1866, by F.N. Jones, Buffalo, New York
• Final Location: 1 mile north of White Lake Harbor, Lake Michigan
• Date Lost: November 1, 1878
• Cause: Driven ashore in a storm
• Final Cargo: Corn
• Loss of Life: 3 crew members lost
• Specifications
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Length: 170 feet (51.8 meters) Beam: 33 feet (10.1 meters) Depth: 13 feet (4.0 meters)
• Tonnage: 549 tons
• Owner: Unknown
• Master at Loss: Captain James Lingham

Operational History

The L.C. Woodruff was built in 1866 in Buffalo, New York, by F.N. Jones as a three-masted Bark, intended for bulk cargo transport across the Great Lakes. The vessel primarily carried grain, coal, lumber, and other freight between major lake ports, particularly Chicago and Buffalo. Like many wooden sailing ships of the time, the L.C. Woodruff faced numerous challenges from the unpredictable weather on the Great Lakes.

Final Voyage & Loss (November 1, 1878)  Caught in a Storm on Lake Michigan: The L.C. Woodruff was en route from Chicago to Buffalo with a cargo of corn. As a powerful autumn storm swept across Lake Michigan, the vessel sought shelter near White Lake Harbor.

Driven Ashore and Wrecked: The storm intensified, and strong winds and waves forced the vessel aground about one mile north of White Lake Harbor. The ship quickly began breaking apart, stranding the crew onboard in desperate conditions.

Fatalities During the Rescue Attempt: A whip-line was set up to carry a hawser (Towline) to shore, but three crew members attempted to use it to reach land before the Lifesaving Service was ready. They were lost in the rough waters, unable to complete the crossing. The remaining crew clung to the rigging until the U.S. Lifesaving Service completed a rescue. On that same day, five other wrecks occurred nearby, and the Lifesaving Service saved 29 people in total.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: 1 mile north of White Lake Harbor, Lake Michigan
• Depth: Shallow water near shore
• Current Condition: In January 1879, significant pieces of wreckage washed ashore near the White Lake Lighthouse. The shifting dunes buried most of the remains, and no definitive wreck site had been identified for many years.
• In late 2018, new wreckage appeared on the shore, and some believe it is from the L.C. Woodruff. However, some historians remain uncertain about this identification, suggesting that further analysis is required.
• Exploration & Archaeological Interest:The area north of White Lake Harbor continues to be monitored for possible remains. Given the vessel’s wooden construction, much of the wreckage may have deteriorated or been buried under shifting sands.

Legacy and Significance

A Tragic Lesson in Early Lifesaving Operations The L.C. Woodruff wreck demonstrates the dangers of early rescue attempts before lifesaving equipment was fully prepared. The three crew members who drowned might have survived if they had waited for the beach apparatus to be properly deployed.

An Example of Late-Season Shipwrecks on the Great Lakes November storms on Lake Michigan were notorious for catching sailing vessels off guard. Many wooden ships struggled to withstand the harsh weather, especially as they aged and became structurally weaker.

The Role of the U.S. Lifesaving Service This wreck was one of many incidents where the Lifesaving Service (predecessor to the U.S. Coast Guard) saved multiple sailors. 29 people were rescued that day, showing the growing importance of organized search-and-rescue operations on the Great Lakes.

A Mysterious and Buried Wreck Site The L.C. Woodruff’s wreckage remains elusive, with shifting sands potentially concealing most of the ship.  The 2018 discovery of wooden remains near White Lake Harbor suggests that parts of the wreck may still be intact beneath the dunes.

Further Research and Resources

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Includes archival records of shipwrecks like the L.C. Woodruff.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (Whitefish Point, Michigan) https://www.shipwreckmuseum.com  Contains historical accounts of shipwrecks on the Great Lakes.
• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association http://www.michiganshipwrecks.org  Focuses on shipwreck discoveries in Michigan waters, including White Lake Harbor.
• NOAA Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/thunderbay Conducts side-scan sonar surveys of Great Lakes wreck sites.

Conclusion

The L.C. Woodruff was a three-masted wooden Bark built in 1866, primarily used for grain transport on the Great Lakes. Caught in a violent November storm in 1878, she ran aground near White Lake Harbor, and three crew members tragically drowned during an early rescue attempt. Though significant wreckage washed ashore in early 1879, shifting sands have concealed most of the ship’s remains.

In 2018, new wreckage was uncovered, possibly linked to the L.C. Woodruff, though some historians question this identification. Her loss highlights the dangers of late-season navigation, the risks sailors took during shipwrecks, and the critical role of the U.S. Lifesaving Service in the 19th century.