Identification & Site Information

• Name: West Side
• Former Names: None documented
• Official Number: 80115 
• Date Built and Launched: 1870
• Builder: G. Goble, Oswego, New York
• Specifications:
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner, 2-masted
• Hull Material: Wood
• Length: 138 ft (42.06 m) Beam (Width): 26 ft (7.92 m) Depth of Hold: 12 ft (3.66 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 324 tons
• Net Tonnage: 308 tons
• Date Lost: October 27, 1906
• Place of Loss: 25 miles east of Thunder Bay Island, Michigan, Lake Huron
• Type of Loss: Storm-related foundering
• Loss of Life: None of the 6 on board
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Pulpwood

Vessel Type

The West Side was a two-masted wooden Schooner, a vessel type extensively used throughout the Great Lakes for transporting bulk commodities such as lumber, pulpwood, coal, and grain. Schooners like the West Side were known for their fore-and-aft rigging, which allowed for superior maneuverability in the often unpredictable winds of the Great Lakes. The vessel’s design made her well-suited for long-distance trade routes, particularly those involving the timber trade between Canada and the United States.

Description

Constructed in 1870 by G. Goble of Oswego, New York, the West Side measured 138 feet in length, with a 26-foot beam and a 12-foot depth of hold. Her Gross Tonnage of 324 tons reflected her substantial cargo capacity, particularly for pulpwood, a key material in the rapidly expanding paper industry of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Her wooden construction was typical of the era, crafted from durable timbers like oak and pine. Vessels like the West Sidewere crucial to the Great Lakes economy, transporting raw materials from northern forests to industrial centers in Ontario and the American Midwest.

Operational History

The West Side had a long and eventful career spanning over three decades, during which she experienced numerous incidents, reflecting the perils of Great Lakes navigation.

Notable Incidents:

1. 1873 – Ashore and Damaged Near Oswego: In November 1873, shortly after her launch, the West Side ran ashore near Oswego, New York, sustaining damage. She was repaired and returned to service, a testament to the resilience of her construction.
2. 1884 – Wrecked in the Welland Canal: In 1884, the vessel was involved in a wreck in the Welland Canal, sustaining heavy damage. Despite the severity of the incident, she was again salvaged and repaired, continuing her service in the timber trade.
3. 1906 – Stranded Near Parry Sound: Earlier in October 1906, the West Side stranded near Parry Sound, Ontario, causing further damage to the vessel. This incident likely weakened the vessel structurally, contributing to her eventual loss later that same month.

Final Voyage and Loss

The West Side embarked on her final voyage in October 1906, carrying a load of pulpwood from Tobermory, Ontario, bound for Delray, Ontario. During the voyage, the vessel encountered a severe storm on Lake Huron. The Schooner and her crew, led by Captain Youngs, battled the storm for two days as they attempted to reach safety.

Complicating the situation, the vessel had been damaged earlier in the month after stranding near Parry Sound, leaving her potentially compromised and less capable of withstanding the storm’s full force. Despite their efforts, the Schooner Foundered 25 miles east of Thunder Bay Island on October 27, 1906.

Remarkably, none of the six crew members—including Captain Youngs, his wife, and their three sons—were lost. They were rescued by the steel Steamer Frank H. Peavy, which came upon the distressed vessel during the storm. The survival of the entire crew was a rare and fortunate outcome, considering the dangerous conditions.

Final Disposition

The West Side was declared a Total Loss after foundering in Lake Huron. The vessel likely sank with her cargo of pulpwood, which may have initially provided some buoyancy but was insufficient to prevent her from ultimately going down. Given the depth and location of her sinking near Thunder Bay Island, parts of the wreck may still exist submerged in the lake.

Located By & Date Found

Nil – No confirmed discovery of the wreck has been reported. However, the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, known for its extensive collection of shipwrecks, may hold information about the potential location of the West Side’s remains.

NOTMARs & Advisories

The area east of Thunder Bay Island is known for its treacherous waters and frequent storms, contributing to numerous shipwrecks in the region.

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary is an established protected area rich in maritime history and wrecks, often referred to as “Shipwreck Alley.”

Historical Significance

The West Side is representative of the hardy schooners that played a vital role in the timber trade of the Great Lakesduring the 19th and early 20th centuries. Her repeated incidents and eventual loss illustrate the constant dangers faced by Great Lakes mariners, from navigational hazards like the Welland Canal to the unpredictable storms of Lake Huron.

Her final voyage is particularly notable for the dramatic rescue of her crew by the Steamer Frank H. Peavy, underscoring both the perils of Great Lakes navigation and the camaraderie among mariners who often risked their own safety to assist vessels in distress.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU)
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary
• Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

Keywords: West Side, Schooner, Lake Huron shipwreck, Thunder Bay Island wreck, Great Lakes pulpwood trade, Captain Youngs, Frank H. Peavy rescue

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Huron, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Schooners, Storm-related Shipwrecks

Glossary Terms:

• Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, rigged fore-and-aft, commonly used for cargo transport on the Great Lakes.
• Foundering: A maritime term meaning the vessel sank due to flooding or structural failure, often during rough weather.
• Pulpwood: Raw wood material used in the manufacture of paper, frequently transported by schooners in the Great Lakes region.
• Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary: A protected area in Lake Huron known for its high concentration of shipwrecks, often referred to as “Shipwreck Alley.”

Conclusion

The West Side’s story is emblematic of the perseverance and danger that defined Great Lakes shipping in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite surviving multiple wrecks and grounding incidents, the Schooner ultimately succumbed to the ferocious storms of Lake Huron in 1906. The successful rescue of her crew highlights the resilience of maritime communities and the enduring legacy of vessels that braved the often unforgiving waters of the Great Lakes. Though her final resting place remains undiscovered, the West Side continues to be a part of the rich maritime heritage of Lake Huronand the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.