IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Vessel Name: Lucinda Van Valkenburg
• Vessel Type: Schooner
• Year Built: 1862
• Built At: Tonawanda, New York
• Original Registry: U.S. Registry No. 14614
• Final Location: Lake Huron
• Date of Loss: June 1, 1887
• Cause of Loss: Collision with the propeller Lehigh
• Gross Tonnage: 301.66 tons
• Net Tonnage: 286.58 tons
• Home Port: Chicago, Illinois
• Owner: T. Hood

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Lucinda Van Valkenburg was a wooden-hulled Schooner, a prevalent type of cargo vessel in the 19th century Great Lakes fleet. These vessels were the workhorses of their time, used extensively for transporting essential bulk goods like coal, grain, and lumber. With a Gross Tonnage of over 300 tons, the Lucinda Van Valkenburg was a medium-sized Schooner, well-suited for long-haul routes across the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

Constructed in 1862 in Tonawanda, New York, the Lucinda Van Valkenburg began her service as a cargo carrier under the ownership of T. Hood. Operating out of Chicago, Illinois, she spent 25 years in service on the Great Lakes, reliably transporting goods crucial to the industrial and domestic economy of the region.

On June 1, 1887, while transporting a cargo of coal, the Lucinda Van Valkenburg collided with the propeller Lehigh on Lake Huron. The collision struck the Schooner’s port side, forward of the fore-rigging, causing severe structural damage. Water rapidly flooded the vessel, and it sank shortly afterward, resulting in a Total Loss. The Hull was valued at $5,000, and the cargo was estimated at $2,000.

Fortunately, all crew members were rescued by the Lehigh and transported safely to Port Huron.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The masts of the Lucinda Van Valkenburg, which remained visible above the waterline and posed a navigation hazard, were promptly removed by the revenue Cutter Fessenden. This action ensured the safety of other vessels navigating Lake Huron.

LOCATED BY & DATE

The precise location of the Lucinda Van Valkenburg wreck is not detailed in available records. The vessel sank somewhere in Lake Huron following the collision on June 1, 1887.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•Initial Hazard: The wreck’s masts, visible above water, were identified as a navigational threat.

•Resolution: The revenue Cutter Fessenden removed the masts to mitigate the hazard.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database
• NOAA Office of Coast Survey Wrecks and Obstructions Database
• 3DShipwrecks – Lucinda Van Valkenburg

KEYWORDS #Lucinda Van Valkenburg shipwreck #Lake Huron Schooner collision #19th century Great Lakes vessels #Chicago maritime history #T. Hood Schooner

CONCLUSION

The loss of the Lucinda Van Valkenburg underscores the hazards faced by sailors on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. The vessel’s service spanned a quarter-century, during which it played a significant role in regional trade. Its demise in a collision with the Lehigh serves as a stark reminder of the challenges of maritime navigation in an era before modern safety systems. Efforts by the Fessenden to remove the wreck’s masts exemplify the ongoing commitment to maintaining safe passage on these vital waterways.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The story of the Lucinda Van Valkenburg, from her construction and long service to her tragic end, contributes to the rich Maritime History of the Great Lakes. The documentation of her collision, sinking, and subsequent hazard mitigation provides valuable insights for historians and maritime enthusiasts, preserving the legacy of those who braved the inland seas.

3D Model – Lucinda Van Valkenburg

Van Valkenburg by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab