TALLAHASSEE. Also Seen As: TALLAHASSA

Identification & Site Information:

• Name: TALLAHASSEE
• Other Names: TALLAHASSA (alternative spelling in some sources)
• Official Number: 145249
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wooden, 2-masted
• Year Built: 1881
• Builder: Lars Larsen, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
• Specifications:  Length: 75 ft (22.86 m)  Beam: 21 ft (6.4 m)  Depth: 6 ft (1.83 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 83 tons
• Net Tonnage: 79 tons
• Date of Loss: October 26, 1884
• Place of Loss: Near Jacksonport, Wisconsin
• Lake: Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Storm-related grounding and wreck
• Loss of Life: None reported
• Cargo: None (likely traveling light at the time of the incident)

Vessel Type

The TALLAHASSEE was a two-masted wooden Schooner, a typical vessel type used on the Great Lakes for transporting various bulk goods, including lumber, grain, and general freight. Schooners of this size were often employed in coastal trading and short-haul routes across the lakes.

Description

Built in 1881 by Lars Larsen in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the TALLAHASSEE was relatively small compared to other Great Lakes schooners of the period. Measuring 75 feet in length with a 21-foot beam, she was designed for maneuverability and efficiency, making her suitable for navigating the often treacherous waters along Wisconsin’s Lake Michigan shoreline.

Her construction would have followed the typical Schooner design, with fore-and-aft rigging, which allowed for better handling in varying wind conditions. The vessel was owned by her builder, Lars Larsen, indicating she may have been part of a family-run or locally operated shipping venture out of Manitowoc.

History

The TALLAHASSEE operated during the declining years of the Schooner era on the Great Lakes, as steam-powered vessels were becoming the dominant force in maritime commerce. However, schooners remained essential for smaller ports and less profitable routes where steamships were not economically viable.

Her service history prior to her loss is not well documented, but she likely participated in the lumber trade, a key industry along the western shores of Lake Michigan, as well as the transport of general cargo between Wisconsin ports and other locations around the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition

On October 26, 1884, the TALLAHASSEE encountered a severe storm while sailing near Jacksonport, Wisconsin, on the Door Peninsula. The vessel was driven ashore by strong winds and heavy seas. Despite efforts to save her, she became a Total Loss shortly after grounding.

While specific details about the crew’s actions during the incident are scarce, it appears that no lives were lost. Given the common practice of ships hugging the shoreline for safety, the crew likely had an opportunity to abandon the vessel and reach safety onshore.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Research

Conclusion

The TALLAHASSEE serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by schooners navigating the Great Lakes, particularly along the exposed coastlines of Door County, Wisconsin. Built and owned locally, her short operational history reflects the risks inherent in maritime trade during the late 19th century. While her remains may still lie beneath the waters off Jacksonport, her story is preserved in the annals of Great Lakes maritime history.