SWALLOW (1863)

Identification & Site Information

• • Other Names: None
• • Official Number: 23494
• • Type at Loss: Schooner, Wood, 3-Mast
• • Build Info: 1863, Campbell & Owen, Detroit, Michigan
• • Specs: 135 x 26 x 11 ft (41.15 x 7.92 x 3.35 m), 274 Gross Tons
• • Date of Loss: November, 1889
• • Place of Loss: Sleeping Bear Point, Michigan
• • Lake: Michigan
• • Type of Loss: Storm

Vessel Type

The SWALLOW was a 3-mast schooner built in 1863 by the shipbuilding firm Campbell & Owen in Detroit, Michigan. It was constructed from wood and was used primarily as a cargo ship, common for Great Lakes vessels of the time. The ship’s length of 135 feet (41.15 meters) and beam of 26 feet (7.92 meters) made it a sizeable vessel for its era, with a Gross Tonnage of 274 tons. Schooners like the SWALLOW were designed for carrying bulk cargo across the Great Lakes and were particularly useful in the wind-powered trade.

Description & History

The SWALLOW had a long and eventful service life before its final disaster in November 1889. Owned out of Rochester, New York, the Schooner had experienced several incidents over the years that led to significant repairs and damage.

In 1878, the Schooner underwent major repairs, likely due to the toll of several years of service on the Great Lakes. The vessel’s history also included a near miss in 1880 when it was holed by ice and stranded near McGulpin Point, in the Straits of Mackinac. After the incident, it was heavily damaged and likely required extensive work to remain operational.

The vessel continued to serve for several more years but faced additional hardships. In 1888, it was reported as sunk near Fairport, Ohio, although it is unclear whether it was completely lost or simply temporarily submerged before being raised.

Finally, in November 1889, the SWALLOW met its end when it grounded in a storm near Sleeping Bear Point, located along the Michigan shoreline of Lake Michigan. The Schooner was Abandoned, becoming a total wreck. It is unclear whether the crew was rescued or if they managed to escape before the wreck. The SWALLOW was left to break apart after grounding in the fierce storm, marking the end of its once-promising career.

Final Dispositions

After grounding near Sleeping Bear Point, the SWALLOW was Abandoned by its crew. The vessel was rendered a total wreck after the storm, and no attempts were made to salvage it or recover any remains. Given the damage and the location, the wreck of the SWALLOW may have been lost to time, though it is possible that remnants of the ship remain in the area to this day.

Located By & Date Found

No records suggest that the SWALLOW was ever formally recovered or found after its wrecking near Sleeping Bear Point.

Notices & Advisories

Wreck Location: Sleeping Bear Point, Michigan (approximate)  Hazard: The wreck may still pose a navigational hazard in the area, particularly for smaller vessels navigating close to the shoreline.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database: Great Lakes Ships Database

Conclusion

The SWALLOW (1863), a 3-mast Schooner, met its end in November 1889 when it grounded during a storm near Sleeping Bear Point in Lake Michigan. Abandoned and wrecked, the Schooner had a storied history, marked by multiple incidents including a near sinking in 1880 and a reported sinking near Fairport, Ohio, in 1888. After severe damage throughout its life, the SWALLOW was ultimately Abandoned as a total wreck. Despite its significant history, it seems that no substantial effort was made to recover or salvage the vessel, and the wreck remains a part of Great Lakesmaritime history.