SiteIdentification & Site Information

• Name: Willis

• Type: Wooden Schooner

• Builder: Peter Larson

• Construction Site: Manitowoc, Wisconsin

• Date Built: 1872

• Owners: J.R. Slauson & W.R. Pugh of Racine, Wisconsin

• Final Incident Date: November 11, 1872

• Final Location:

• Approximately 20 miles north of Lorain, Ohio

• 15 miles east of Point au Pelee, Ontario, in Lake Erie

• Cause of Loss: Collision with the Barque Elizabeth Jones

• Final Disposition: Sunk; enrollment surrendered on December 31, 1872

Vessel Type

The Willis was a three-masted wooden Schooner. Built for sailing and bulk cargo transport, schooners like the Willis played a vital role in the Great Lakes’ grain and commodities trade.

Description

The Schooner Willis was constructed in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, by master carpenter Peter Larson. A well-proportioned vessel, the Schooner measured:

• Length: 131 feet 7 inches (40.1 m)

• Beam: 27 feet 9 inches (8.5 m)

• Depth: 9 feet (2.7 m)

• Gross Tonnage: 245.28

The Willis featured three masts and was designed for durability and efficiency in transporting goods such as grain, barley, and other bulk cargo across the Great Lakes.

The Final Voyage

On November 11, 1872, while carrying 17,250 bushels of barley from Chicago (Lake Michigan) to Buffalo (Lake Erie), the Williscollided with the Barque Elizabeth Jones in Lake Erie.

• Location of Collision:

• 20 miles north of Lorain, Ohio

• 15 miles east of Point au Pelee, Ontario

The impact caused catastrophic damage to the Willis, resulting in its rapid sinking. Despite the dramatic incident, the crew of the Willissurvived and were safely rescued by the Elizabeth Jones, which continued its voyage.

The Elizabeth Jones, fortunately, sustained minimal damage in the collision.

Lawsuit and Negligence Claims

Following the sinking, accusations of negligence were exchanged between the crews and owners of the Willis and the Elizabeth Jones. The matter escalated to a lawsuit, and on May 24, 1885, a court ruling favoured the owners of the Willis.

• Enrollment Status: The vessel’s registration was officially surrendered on December 31, 1872, stating it was lost.

Legacy

The Willis, though short-lived, is a testament to the hazards faced by Great Lakes vessels in the 19th century. Collisions were a frequent occurrence in busy shipping lanes, especially in unpredictable weather and crowded waterways like Lake Erie.

The wreck site of the Willis has not been definitively located, but its approximate position makes it of interest to underwater archaeologists and historians.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Archival records of collisions and vessel details.

• David Swayze Shipwreck File: Documentation of the Willis and similar 19th-century wrecks.

• Great Lakes Ships Database: Provides shipbuilding history and final disposition records.

Suggested Keywords & Categories

• Keywords: Willis Schooner, Elizabeth Jones collision, Lake Erie shipwreck, 1872 maritime accident, Great Lakes grain trade.

• Categories: Lake Erie Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, Collision Losses, 19th-Century Maritime History.

Glossary Terms

• Barque: A sailing vessel with three or more masts, square-rigged on all but the aft mast.

• Bushels: A unit of volume measurement for grains and other bulk commodities.

• Enrollment: Official registration of a vessel for operation under maritime law.