Identification & Site Information

• Name: Union Star
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 25030
• Date Built & Launched: 1862
• Builder: W. Summerfield, New Baltimore, Michigan
• Specifications: 77 gross tons
• Vessel Type: Wooden scow-Schooner
• Date Lost: August 28, 1867
• Place of Loss: Gull Island Reef, near Put-in-Bay, Lake Erie
• Cause of Loss: Stranded in a storm
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo: Coal
• Owner: Hawley & Pines, Detroit

Vessel Type

The Union Star was a scow Schooner, a type of flat-bottomed sailing vessel commonly used in the 19th century for carrying bulk cargo on the Great Lakes. Scow schooners were particularly useful in shallow waters, as their design allowed them to operate in areas where deeper-Draft vessels could not. They were often used to transport coal, lumber, and other heavy goods.

Description & History

Built in 1862 in New Baltimore, Michigan, the Union Star was constructed for cargo transport between Great Lakes ports. With Detroit as her home port, she regularly carried coal and other bulk materials along Lake Erie, likely making stops in cities such as Cleveland, Toledo, and Buffalo.

On August 28, 1867, while en route from Cleveland to Detroit, the Union Star struck Gull Island Reef near Put-in-Bay, Ohio, during the night. This was a dangerous area, known for its shallow, rocky outcrops that had claimed many ships.

The following day, strong winds battered the stranded vessel, worsening the damage. Salvage attempts were made, and the wrecker Magnet was sent to assist. Despite these efforts, by September 4, 1867, the ship had broken apart and was completely destroyed.

Before the vessel was lost, her equipment (“outfit”) and much of her coal cargo were salvaged, reducing financial losses for the owners. However, the ship itself was beyond saving.

Final Disposition

The Union Star was destroyed by storm damage and wave action after stranding on Gull Island Reef. Any remaining wreckage would have been scattered or submerged in the area.

Located By & Date Found

No confirmed discovery of wreckage has been documented.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Gull Island Reef remains a navigational hazard, with numerous shipwrecks recorded in the vicinity. The area is popular with divers, as it contains remnants of multiple 19th-century shipwrecks.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The Union Star was a typical Great Lakes scow-Schooner, essential to the coal and bulk cargo trade. Her loss at Gull Island Reef in 1867 highlights the perils of nighttime navigation and the challenges of salvaging stranded vessels in storm conditions. Though her cargo and equipment were saved, the vessel itself was completely destroyed, adding to the many shipwrecks that dot Lake Erie’s hazardous shallows.

Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Great Lakes shipwrecks, scow-Schooner, coal trade, Gull Island Reef, Lake Erie Navigation Hazards

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Erie, 19th-century shipwrecks, wooden schooners, storm-related losses

Glossary Terms: Scow-Schooner, Reef Stranding, Wrecking Tug, Put-in-Bay