IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: PERSEVERANCE

• Type: Wooden Schooner

• Owner: John Greening, Cleveland, Ohio

• Built: 1855, by F.N. Jones, Buffalo, New York

• Dimensions:

• Tonnage: 294 tons

• Value: $5,800

• Cargo: Wheat

• Final Location: Mackinac Straits, Michigan

• Coordinates: Exact location unknown

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The PERSEVERANCE was a wooden-hulled Schooner designed for the transport of bulk goods, including grain, across the Great Lakes. Typical of mid-19th-century schooners, it relied on wind power, with sails designed for efficient navigation of the often-turbulent Great Lakes waters.

HISTORY

• Primary Use:

The PERSEVERANCE was engaged in the Great Lakes grain trade, transporting wheat and other agricultural goods from Chicago to ports in the eastern United States, including Ogdensburg, New York.

• Incident Background:

On November 24, 1864, the PERSEVERANCE was en route from Chicago to Ogdensburg with a full cargo of wheat. Navigating the Straits of Mackinac during severe weather, the vessel faced challenges including low Visibility and difficult wind conditions.

COLLISION & SINKING

• Date of Incident: November 24, 1864

• Vessels Involved:

• PERSEVERANCE (Schooner)

• GREY EAGLE (Schooner)

• Circumstances:

The PERSEVERANCE had lost its signal light and, in an effort to avoid collisions in the poor weather, displayed a prohibited white light at night to alert other vessels. Unfortunately, this caused confusion, and the GREY EAGLE collided with the PERSEVERANCE, leading to catastrophic damage.

• Outcome:

• The PERSEVERANCE sank, resulting in the loss of the vessel and its entire cargo of wheat.

• Both vessels were found to be at fault by the U.S. Circuit Court for Wisconsin. The court cited the PERSEVERANCE for improper lighting and the GREY EAGLE for failing to avoid the collision. Damages were divided between the two.

SIGNIFICANCE

The PERSEVERANCE’s loss underscores the challenges faced by Great Lakes mariners during the 19th century. With limited navigational aids and severe weather conditions, collisions were a common hazard. The legal ruling in this case highlighted the importance of proper signaling and safe navigation practices, contributing to evolving maritime safety standards.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive database of Great Lakes vessels.

• U.S. Circuit Court Records: Legal documents detailing the division of damages between the PERSEVERANCE and the GREY EAGLE.

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Research: Repository of historical records and wreck details.

The story of the Schooner PERSEVERANCE serves as a reminder of the perils faced by vessels navigating the Great Lakes and the enduring impact of these events on maritime safety practices.