Identification & Site Information

• Name: Welcome
• Former Names: None recorded
• Official Number: 80675
• Date Built and Launched: 1878
• Builder: A. Johnson, Fort Howard, Wisconsin (now part of Green Bay)
• Specifications:
  • Original Dimensions (1878): Length: 100 ft (30.48 m) Beam (Width): 19 ft (5.79 m) Depth of Hold: 8 ft (2.44 m) Gross Tonnage: 98 tons
  • Enlarged Dimensions (1893 Rebuild): Length: 120 ft (36.58 m) Beam: 25 ft (7.62 m) Depth of Hold: 8 ft (2.44 m) Gross Tonnage: 306 tons Net Tonnage: 239 tons
• Date Lost: September 16, 1903
• Place of Loss: Two miles west of Charlevoix harbour entrance, Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Storm-related stranding and breakup
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Unknown

Vessel Type

Originally built as a passenger and package freight Steamer, the Welcome was later Rebuilt and enlarged in 1893, extending her length by 20 feet and increasing her cargo capacity. In 1900, she was converted into a small bulk freighter, adapting to the shifting demands of Great Lakes shipping.

Description

The Welcome was constructed in Fort Howard, Wisconsin, in 1878, at a time when wooden steamships were essential to commerce across the Great Lakes. She began as a passenger and package freight vessel, designed for carrying both people and general cargo on scheduled routes. At just 98 Gross Tonnage, she was relatively small compared to larger passenger steamers but well-suited for short-haul regional transport.

During a major Rebuild in 1893, she was lengthened to 120 feet, widened to 25 feet, and her tonnage more than tripled to 306 gross tons. This significant expansion suggests a shift in her role, possibly to accommodate heavier freight loads while still maintaining some passenger service.

By 1900, she was further modified and converted into a bulk freighter, reflecting the declining passenger market and the growing demand for industrial shipping. This change was common for older steamers, as they were repurposed to extend their service life.

History

Over her 25-year career, the Welcome adapted to multiple roles on the Great Lakes, transitioning from a passenger vessel to a freight hauler. Her Conversion into a small Bulk Carrier in 1900 suggests she may have been transporting materials such as grain, coal, or other raw goods between ports.

She frequently operated in the northern Lake Michigan region, including stops in Charlevoix, Michigan, a key lumber and shipping port at the time.

Final Voyage and Loss

On September 16, 1903, while navigating two miles west of Charlevoix harbour, the Welcome encountered a powerful storm. Struggling against rough waves, she stranded in boulder-studded shallows, where she became trapped and unable to free herself.

A salvage attempt was made, but conditions worsened, and the vessel began breaking apart under the pounding waves. With no viable rescue option, the ship was ultimately lost, her Hull splintering and sinking among the rocks.

Fortunately, all crew members survived.

Final Disposition

The remains of the Welcome were left to deteriorate where she stranded, with no successful salvage. Given her wooden construction and exposure to Lake Michigan’s harsh conditions, any surviving wreckage is likely fragmented or buried under shifting sands and rocks near Charlevoix.

Located By & Date Found

Nil – No definitive records confirm the discovery of the wreck site. However, given its nearshore location, remnants may still exist in shallow waters west of Charlevoix.

NOTMARs & Advisories

The waters west of Charlevoix contain submerged hazards, including boulder fields where the Welcome was lost. Modern mariners should exercise caution when navigating near the area, especially during rough weather.

Resources & Links

•  📸 Charlevoix Historical Society – Reported to have an image of the Welcome
• Website: Charlevoix Historical Society
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU)
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Michigan Shipwreck Research

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

Keywords: Welcome, Charlevoix shipwreck, wooden propeller bulk freighter, Lake Michigan wreck, 19th-century Great Lakes steamships, storm loss

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Bulk Freighters, Converted Steamships

• Glossary Terms:

• Propeller (Steamship): A steam-powered vessel driven by a screw propeller, replacing older Paddlewheel designs.
• Bulk Freighter: A ship designed to carry loose bulk cargo such as grain, coal, or ore, common on the Great Lakes.
• Stranding: The event of a vessel running aground in shallow waters, often leading to structural failure.
• Salvage Attempt: A recovery operation attempting to refloat or retrieve a damaged or stranded vessel.

Conclusion

The Welcome had a dynamic career on the Great Lakes, evolving from a passenger steamer to a bulk freighter before meeting her end in 1903 off Charlevoix. Stranded in a storm on rocky shallows, she succumbed to the elements despite salvage efforts, breaking apart over time. Her loss highlights the challenges of early maritime transport in the Great Lakes, where changing weather, shifting cargo demands, and vessel modifications dictated a ship’s fate.