Wake Up: Vessel History and Site Information

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• Name: Wake Up

• Type: Two-masted Wooden Schooner

• Builder: D. Bailey, Madison, Ohio

• Year Built: 1864

• Rebuild: 1873

• Primary Cargo: Lumber, shingles, cedar posts

• Final Location: Unknown (specific sinking location undocumented)

• Year of Loss: Late 19th century

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The Wake Up was a classic two-masted wooden Schooner, a vessel type that dominated Great Lakes trade during the mid-to-late 19th century. Schooners like the Wake Up were versatile, used extensively for transporting bulk materials such as lumber, grain, and other goods across the Great Lakes. With a length likely around 100 feet, the Wake Up was typical of the schooners built in the 1860s, designed for efficient navigation and reliable cargo transport in the often-variable weather conditions of the Great Lakes.

HISTORY

Construction and Service Life

The Wake Up was built by D. Bailey in 1864 in Madison, Ohio, a shipbuilding hub for Great Lakes vessels. The Schooner was part of the post-Civil War shipping boom, serving as an integral link in the timber trade, which was vital to the economic growth of the Midwest and Ontario.

• Rebuild in 1873: As was common for heavily used schooners, the Wake Up was significantly Rebuilt in 1873 to extend its operational life. These renovations likely involved reinforcing the Hull and updating rigging and Deck systems.

Cargo and Routes

The vessel frequently carried lumber, shingles, and cedar posts, materials essential for the burgeoning construction and manufacturing industries. Its typical routes would have connected ports along Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, and potentially Lake Ontario, delivering cargo from forested areas to growing urban centers.

Final Voyage and Loss

The Wake Up was lost while transporting a load of lumber, shingles, and cedar posts. Details of the sinking, including the exact date and circumstances, remain unclear. Schooners of its type were highly vulnerable to severe weather, collisions, or navigational hazards, all of which were common risks on the Great Lakes.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The exact location and condition of the wreck are unknown. Given the vessel’s wood construction and the time elapsed since its sinking, it is likely that any remains have either deteriorated significantly or been dispersed by currents and wave action.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories exist for the Wake Up, as its sinking location remains uncharted.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: A comprehensive database for vessels lost on the Great Lakes.

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Likely includes further details on the Wake Up’s registry and loss.

• Shipwrecks of the Great Lakes Museum (Toledo, OH): May hold archival materials about schooners of this era.

CONCLUSION

The Wake Up exemplifies the essential yet perilous role schooners played in the economic development of the Great Lakes region. Though its loss is a small chapter in the vast narrative of Great Lakes shipping, the vessel remains a testament to the vital timber trade and the risks faced by those who navigated these waters in the 19th century.

KEYWORDS

Wake Up, Schooner, Lumber Trade, Great Lakes Maritime History, D. Bailey, Madison Ohio, Timber Shipping, 19th-Century Shipwrecks