Shipwreck Report: Schooner WAYNE (1848–1875)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Wayne
• Other Names: Unknown
• Official Number: 26359
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
• Built: 1848, by H. Doville, Sodus, New York
• Home Port: Unknown (likely Sodus, NY, or a Great Lakes port)
• Primary Use: Lumber transport
• Specifications Gross Tonnage: 56 tons
• Construction: Wooden Hull
• Propulsion: Sail-powered (Schooner rigged)

Operational History

The Wayne was a small wooden Schooner built in 1848 in Sodus, New York, by H. Doville. She was likely involved in: Lumber transport across the Great Lakes, moving timber from Michigan to markets in Chicago, Cleveland, and Buffalo.  General cargo shipping, possibly carrying grain, coal, or iron ore when not hauling lumber  Regional trade routes, operating between Lake Ontario, Lake Erie, and Lake Huron ports Due to her modest size (56 tons), she was likely a short-haul vessel, used by lumber companies or small merchants.

Final Voyage and Loss

• Date of Loss: 1875
• Location: Au Sable Point, near Au Sable, Michigan, Lake Huron
• Cause: Storm
• Cargo at Loss: Lumber
• Loss of Life: Unknown

Incident Details

While en route to Chicago, the Wayne encountered a storm near Au Sable Point, Michigan.  The strong winds and rough waters caused her to strand and wreck along the shoreline.  It is unclear if any crew members survived or perished, as records do not confirm casualties.  Given her wooden construction, the vessel likely broke apart on the shore and was either salvaged or destroyed by the elements.

Legacy and Significance

Small Great Lakes Schooners and the Lumber Trade  Lumber schooners like the Wayne were crucial to the Great Lakes economy in the mid-19th century, supplying timber to growing cities like Chicago and Detroit.  These vessels carried raw materials from Michigan’s forests, fueling the construction boom in the Midwest.

The Dangers of Sailing on the Great Lakes  The Wayne’s loss at Au Sable Point highlights the risks of sailing on Lake Huron, where sudden storms and shifting sandbars could easily trap or sink schooners.  Many small trading vessels were lost in storms due to their lightweight construction and inability to withstand heavy seas.

Au Sable Point: A Historic Shipwreck Zone  The shoreline near Au Sable Point, Michigan, is one of the Great Lakes’ most hazardous areas for shipwrecks.  Many vessels have wrecked along this stretch of Lake Huron due to:  Strong storms and shifting sands.  Navigation challenges near the point. Lack of early lighthouse coverage (The Au Sable Point Lighthouse was later built in 1874 to reduce ship losses).

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: Near Au Sable Point, Lake Huron, Michigan
• Current Condition:  The Wayne was likely destroyed by wave action and sand erosion over time. Some remnants of wooden Hull structures may be buried along the shoreline. Metal fittings (anchors, chains, iron fastenings) could still exist on the lakebed near the wreck site.
• Potential for Discovery:  Shoreline surveys or magnetometer scans could reveal buried wreckage.
• No confirmed modern discoveries of the Wayne’s wreck have been documented.

Further Research and Resources

• Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (NOAA)  https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/thunderbay/ Documents shipwrecks in the Lake Huron region.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes  http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Contains historical ship lists and shipping records.
• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association https://www.michiganshipwrecks.org Provides details on lost ships in Michigan waters.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (Whitefish Point, MI) Houses artifacts and records of Great Lakes maritime history.
• Wikipedia – Sodus NY

Conclusion

The Wayne (1848–1875) was a wooden Schooner used for lumber transport, operating between Michigan and Chicago. She was lost in a storm near Au Sable Point, Lake Huron, and wrecked along the shore. Though few details remain about her final voyage, she represents the many small schooners that fueled the Great Lakes timber trade. Her remains may still exist beneath the shifting sands of Michigan’s coastline.