Shipwreck Report: Sinking of Schooner Sunnyside (1883)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Sunnyside
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
• Final Location: Near North Fox Island, Lake Michigan
• Date Lost: August 19, 1883
• Cause: Collision with the Schooner Samuel H. Foster
• Cargo: Unknown
• Loss of Life: Unknown

Vessel Description & History

The Sunnyside was a wooden Schooner engaged in Great Lakes trade, transporting bulk cargo such as lumber, grain, or coal. Like many sailing vessels of the era, she operated on Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Superior, carrying goods between Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, and Buffalo.

By the 1880s, many schooners were either converted into tow barges or remained under sail, competing against the rapidly growing steam-powered freighter industry.

Collision with the Samuel H. Foster (August 19, 1883)

• Location: Near North Fox Island, Lake Michigan
• Involved Vessels:
  • Samuel H. Foster (three-masted Schooner, built 1873)
  • Sunnyside (Schooner)
• Weather Conditions: Unknown (but could have been foggy or rough, making collision avoidance difficult).
•  Event Details:  The Samuel H. Foster was sailing in the same waters as the Sunnyside. For unknown reasons, the two vessels collided near North Fox Island. The Sunnyside sustained significant Hull damage and sank. The Samuel H. Foster survived the collision and continued service for over two decades.
• Final Disposition of the SunnysideThe Sunnyside quickly sank near North Fox Island, in Lake Michigan’s Manitou Passage. It is unknown whether any crew members perished. The Samuel H. Foster did not suffer a fatal injury and remained in service until 1906.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

Location: Lake Michigan, near North Fox Island

 Current Condition:  Given the wooden construction, the Sunnyside’s remains may be heavily deteriorated. Iron fittings, anchors, and fastenings could still be located on the lakebed.

Potential for Discovery: North Fox Island waters have been surveyed for shipwrecks, but no confirmed identification of the Sunnyside has been recorded.  Future sonar and ROV searches could confirm her exact location and condition.

Legacy and Significance

Collision as a Leading Cause of Shipwrecks in the 19th Century Many sailing vessels operated in high-traffic shipping lanes, leading to frequent collisions with other ships.  The Sunnyside’s loss reflects the dangers of navigating Lake Michigan’s busy waterways.

North Fox Island – A Historic Shipwreck Zone The Fox Islands area (North Fox & South Fox) has been a graveyard for numerous vessels, due to: Heavy ship traffic between Lake Michigan ports  Frequent fog, storms, and treacherous currents.

Limited navigation aids in the late 19th century. The Sunnyside joins a long list of shipwrecks near the Fox Islands, including schooners, steamers, and barges lost in the area.

Further Research and Resources

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes  http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Contains historical records of ship collisions, wreck reports, and ownership transfers.
• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association https://www.michiganshipwrecks.org Provides details on shipwrecks in Michigan waters.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (Whitefish Point, MI) https://www.shipwreckmuseum.com Documents wrecks lost in Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.
• Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (NOAA)https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/thunderbay/ Surveys historic shipwrecks in the Great Lakes.

Conclusion

The Sunnyside (date unknown – 1883) was a wooden Schooner lost in a collision with the Samuel H. Foster near North Fox Island, Lake Michigan. While the fate of her crew remains uncertain, the wreck was one of many lost in the busy shipping lanes of the Great Lakes. Though her exact location has not been confirmed, ongoing maritime research and sonar mapping could one day reveal the final resting place of the Sunnyside.