Identification & Site Information

• Name: Mary D. Ayer
• Former Names: Jesse Hoyt (original name until 1882)
• Official Number: 12973
• Date Built and Launched: 1854
• Builder: S. Kirby & J. Hoyt, East Saginaw, Michigan
• Vessel Type: Wooden 3-Masted Schooner (originally built as a Bark)
• Hull Material: Wood
• Measurements:Length: 144 ft (43.9 m) Beam: 29 ft (8.8 m) Depth: 11 ft (3.4 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 472 tons
• Net Tonnage: 320 tons
• Original tonnage as built: 516 tons (as a Bark)
• Date Lost: May 17, 1896
• Place of Loss: Off Grosse Pointe, Illinois, Lake Michigan
• Lake: Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Collision
• Loss of Life: 5 of 7 crew members
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Light

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Vessel Type & Description

The Mary D. Ayer was originally constructed as the Bark Jesse Hoyt in 1854 in East Saginaw, Michigan. Barks were square-rigged vessels ideal for long-distance bulk cargo transport, but as shipping technology advanced and the need for greater maneuverability increased, many barks—including the Jesse Hoyt—were converted into 3-masted schooners. This Conversion, completed by 1882, allowed for greater efficiency in handling and a smaller crew requirement.

At 144 feet in length and 472 gross tons, the Mary D. Ayer was a mid-sized freight Schooner suitable for transporting bulk cargo like grain, lumber, and coal across the Great Lakes. Her wooden Hull and three-mast rig made her a reliable workhorse during an era of rapid maritime development in the region.

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History

The Mary D. Ayer had a long and eventful career on the Great Lakes. As the Jesse Hoyt, she served in the bulk cargo trade, carrying lumber and grain from ports in Michigan and Wisconsin to urban centers like Chicago and Milwaukee. After her Conversion to a Schooner in 1882 and renaming as Mary D. Ayer, she continued to serve as a freight carrier, though by the late 19th century, steam-powered vessels were beginning to dominate the lakes.

Previous Incident (1887):

In September 1887, the Mary D. Ayer ran ashore in the Straits of Mackinac and was initially thought lost. However, she was later refloated and repaired, returning to service until her final voyage in 1896.

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Final Voyage & Loss

On May 17, 1896, while sailing light off Grosse Pointe, Illinois, the Mary D. Ayer collided with the steel Steamer Onoko in dense fog.

Details of the Incident:

• The collision severely damaged both vessels. While the Onoko managed to proceed toward Chicago, the Mary D. Ayer was taken in tow by the Steamer City of Duluth.
• During the towing operation, the Ayer began to take on water rapidly and sank Stern-foremost before the crew could be fully evacuated.
• The City of Duluth cut the tow line and lowered boats to rescue the crew, but five of the seven crew members aboard the Ayer were lost before they could be saved.

Casualties:

• 5 of the 7 crew members perished in the sinking, despite the rescue efforts.
• The vessel’s master, Captain “Danger” Williamson, was noted for his daring seamanship but could not prevent the tragedy.

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Final Disposition

The Mary D. Ayer sank off Grosse Pointe, Illinois, and was declared a Total Loss. There is no record of a salvage operation, and the wreck likely remains submerged in Lake Michigan.

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Located By & Date Found

There is no confirmed modern discovery of the Mary D. Ayer’s wreck. However, Grosse Pointe and the nearby waters are home to many shipwrecks, and the vessel may still rest in the depths of Lake Michigan.

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NOTMARs & Advisories

Dense fog in the southern portion of Lake Michigan, particularly near Grosse Pointe and Chicago, remains a navigational hazard. Mariners should use modern radar and GPS systems to mitigate the risks posed by poor Visibility, a factor that contributed to the Mary D. Ayer’s loss.

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Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database – BGSU
• Wisconsin Shipwrecks Database
• Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy

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Conclusion

The Mary D. Ayer‘s tragic loss in 1896 marks the end of a vessel that had navigated the Great Lakes for over four decades. Originally launched as the Bark Jesse Hoyt in 1854, her Conversion to a 3-masted Schooner in 1882 reflects the evolving needs of Great Lakes commerce. Her collision with the Steamer Onoko in dense fog near Grosse Pointe highlights the dangers of maritime navigation in the pre-modern era, where limited Visibility and crowded shipping lanes often led to fatal accidents. The loss of five crew members serves as a somber reminder of the perils faced by mariners during the height of the Great Lakes shipping boom.

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Keywords: Mary D. Ayer, Jesse Hoyt, Grosse Pointe Shipwreck, Lake Michigan Collision, Onoko Collision, Great Lakes Schooner

Categories: Great Lakes Schooners, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Maritime Collision Disasters

Glossary Terms: Bark (Barque), Schooner Conversion, Collision in Fog, Maritime Rescue Efforts, Great Lakes Cargo Trade