Identification & Site Information

• Name: W.F. Allen, Jr. (also seen as William F. Allen)
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 26214
• Date Built and Launched: 1853
• Builder: William Jones, Black River, Ohio
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner, 3-Mast
• Hull Material: Wood
• Measurements: Length: 138 ft (42.1 m) Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m) Depth: 12 ft (3.7 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 245 tons
• Tonnage (Old Style): 385 tons
• Date Lost: October 28, 1875
• Place of Loss: Racine Reef, Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Lumber

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Vessel Type:
Three-masted wooden schooner, primarily used in the lumber trade and general freight transport across the Great Lakes.

Description:
The W.F. Allen, Jr. was a three-masted wooden schooner built in 1853 by William Jones in Black River, Ohio (modern-day Lorain, Ohio). Measuring 138 feet in length, with a beam of 26 feet and a depth of 12 feet, the vessel had a Gross Tonnage of 245 tons. She was typical of the schooners that dominated Great Lakes shipping in the mid-19th century, designed for hauling bulk cargoes like lumber, grain, and coal.

Operating out of Milwaukee, the W.F. Allen, Jr. was part of the bustling maritime commerce that connected the Great Lakes’ timber-rich regions with growing urban centers like Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland.

History:
The W.F. Allen, Jr. had a long and eventful career, marked by several accidents and incidents that highlighted both the hazards of Great Lakes navigation and the vessel’s resilience:

• 1862: The Schooner ran aground in Georgian Bay, a challenging area known for its rocky shores and sudden weather changes. The vessel was subsequently refloated and repaired.
• 1862, 1869, and 1871: The W.F. Allen, Jr. was involved in collisions during these years, reflecting the crowded and often dangerous conditions on the Great Lakes as maritime traffic increased during the post-Civil War industrial boom.

Despite these setbacks, the vessel continued to operate successfully for over two decades, primarily in the lumber trade, which was a cornerstone of the Great Lakes economy in the 19th century.

Final Voyage and Loss:
On October 28, 1875, while carrying a load of lumber, the W.F. Allen, Jr. encountered a severe storm on Lake Michigan. The vessel was driven onto Racine Reef, a notorious navigational hazard near Racine, Wisconsin. The reef, a submerged limestone outcrop, had claimed numerous ships over the years due to its proximity to busy shipping lanes and its treacherous nature during storms and poor Visibility.

As the Schooner grounded on the reef, her crew faced a harrowing ordeal. With the vessel battered by waves and the storm showing no signs of abating, the crew clung to the rigging throughout the night, exposed to the elements and the constant threat of the vessel breaking apart beneath them.

By morning, local fishermen from Racine spotted the distressed Schooner and managed to rescue the crew. Remarkably, despite the severity of the storm and the perilous circumstances, no lives were lost in the incident.

The W.F. Allen, Jr. was declared a total wreck following the incident, marking the end of her 22-year service on the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition:
The vessel was wrecked on Racine Reef and declared a Total Loss. There is no record of salvage operations, and the remains of the vessel were likely left to deteriorate at the site.

Located By & Date Found:
There is no confirmed modern discovery of the W.F. Allen, Jr.’s wreck site. Racine Reef is a well-known area for shipwrecks, and it is possible that remnants of the vessel may still exist, buried or scattered on the lakebed.

NOTMARs & Advisories:
Racine Reef remains a navigational hazard on Lake Michigan, and mariners are advised to consult updated nautical charts when navigating near Racine, Wisconsin.

Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database – BGSU
• Wisconsin Historical Society
• Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy

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Conclusion

The W.F. Allen, Jr. exemplifies the rugged schooners that navigated the Great Lakes during the height of the lumber trade in the mid-19th century. Built in 1853 in Ohio, the vessel faced multiple challenges throughout her career, from groundings and collisions to her final wreck on Racine Reef in 1875. The crew’s survival, thanks to the bravery of local Racine fishermen, highlights both the dangers of Great Lakes navigation and the tight-knit communities that supported maritime life. Though the Schooner was lost, her story remains a part of the rich maritime heritage of Lake Michigan.

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Keywords: W.F. Allen Jr., William F. Allen, Schooner, Racine Reef, Lake Michigan Shipwreck, Great Lakes Maritime History, Lumber Trade
Categories: Great Lakes Schooners, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Incidents
Glossary Terms: Three-Masted Schooner, Racine Reef, Total Wreck, Lumber Trade, Maritime Rescue