Identification & Site Information

• Name: Titan
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 24149
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood
• Builder: Goble & Crockett, Oswego, New York
• Date Built: 1856
• Specifications: 132 feet (40 meters) long, 26 feet (8 meters) beam, 12 feet (3.6 meters) depth, 361 gross tons (327 metric tons), 336 net tons (305 metric tons)
• Date of Loss: November 5, 1869
• Place of Loss: Near Pentwater, Michigan
• Lake: Michigan
• Type of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: 8 of 9
• Carrying: 17,500 bushels of wheat

Vessel Type & Description

The Titan was a two-masted Schooner built in 1856 by Goble & Crockett in Oswego, New York. With a length of 132 feet (40 meters), a beam of 26 feet (8 meters), and a depth of 12 feet (3.6 meters), the ship was well-suited for transporting bulk cargo, including wheat. She had a Gross Tonnage of 361 tons (327 metric tons) and a Net Tonnage of 336 tons (305 metric tons). The Titan was primarily used for shipping grain, and her voyages included runs across Lake Michigan and from Chicagoto Oswego. It was noteworthy for her impressive speed, particularly during her first trip from Chicago to Oswego, where she set a record for the fastest passage at the time: 8 days and 4 hours, though this record was soon broken by the Schooner Surprise, which beat the time by 6 hours.

Final Voyage & Loss

On November 5, 1869, the Titan was making her way across Lake Michigan when she was caught in a terrific gale. As the storm raged, the Schooner was driven toward shore near Pentwater, Michigan. The ship’s crew attempted to drop anchors as they neared the shoreline, and the anchors initially held for about an hour. However, the force of the gale proved too much, and the Titan dragged her anchors and was pushed ashore.

As she struck the beach, both of her masts were lost, and the ship began to break up. Tragically, only one survivor was found, a crew member who was discovered crawling along the beach in a dazed state. Eight of the nine crew members perished in the storm.

Final Dispositions

The wreck of the Titan was a Total Loss. The ship’s remains were likely scattered across the beach and nearshore waters following the storm. The masts were lost, and the ship was broken apart by the waves. After the storm, only one crew member survived, marking the end of the vessel’s service on Lake Michigan.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• Pentwater Area: Mariners should exercise caution when navigating near the Pentwater area during stormy weather. The area’s shores, particularly in rough conditions, can prove hazardous to ships.

Resources & Links

• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Conclusion

The Titan, a wooden Schooner built in 1856, tragically met her end on November 5, 1869, when she was overwhelmed by a storm near Pentwater, Michigan. Despite her earlier achievements, including setting a speed record for the Chicago to Oswego route, the Titan was no match for the violent forces of nature. The wreck claimed 8 lives from her crew, with only one survivor found after the storm. This event serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by ships and sailors on the Great Lakes, especially during the unpredictable and violent storms that are common in the region.

Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Schooner shipwrecks, Lake Michigan storms, 19th-century sailing vessels, Great Lakes shipping disasters

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Storm-related shipwrecks, 19th-century schooners, Great Lakes vessel losses

Glossary Terms: Schooner, Storm, Masts, Wheat cargo, Pentwater