Identification & Site Information
- Name: Windsor
- Former Names: None
- Official Registration Number: None
- Date Built and Launched: Built in 1847 at either Buffalo or Irving, New York
- Measurements: Length: 115 ft (35.1 m) Beam: 25 ft (7.6 m) Depth: 10 ft (3 m) Tonnage: 270 tons
- Date Lost: November 3, 1853
- Place of Loss: 5 miles from Louis Island, at the mouth of Green Bay, Lake Michigan
Vessel Type
The Windsor was a wooden-hulled Schooner, designed for cargo transport, particularly serving the burgeoning industries around the Great Lakes. Schooners of this size and type were commonly used in the mid-19th century for transporting bulk goods, timber, and provisions to growing settlements and industrial centers.
Description
Constructed in 1847, the Windsor was a mid-sized Schooner with a cargo capacity of 270 tons. Her dimensions reflect the typical design of schooners used for freight transport, with a broad beam and deep hold, allowing for efficient handling of bulk cargo like lumber and provisions for mills and industrial use. Owned by Tarleton Jones of Chicago, she played a role in supplying the growing lumber trade in the Great Lakes region.
History
The Windsor operated during a period of rapid industrial and economic expansion in the Great Lakes area, particularly supporting the lumber industry and the development of frontier towns and cities like Chicago.
On November 3, 1853, while carrying lumber mill provisions en route to her destination, the Windsor encountered a severe gale near the mouth of Green Bay, a notorious location for sudden and violent storms due to the geographical funneling of winds and waves. The Schooner went ashore about 5 miles from Louis Island, a small island near the mouth of the bay.
While details about the specific circumstances are sparse, records indicate that the vessel likely ran aground in heavy weather and sustained significant damage. The Schooner was described as “probably” a Total Loss following the incident, though no definitive salvage or recovery efforts were recorded. The last registration document for the Windsor was filed in October 1852, suggesting she was nearing the end of her documented operational life when the wreck occurred.
Loss of Life
There were no reported fatalities associated with the sinking of the Windsor, which suggests that the crew may have managed to escape to nearby land or been rescued by passing vessels or local inhabitants.
Final Disposition
The Windsor was presumed a Total Loss after going ashore in the November 1853 gale. There are no records indicating that the Schooner was salvaged or returned to service, and her wreck likely deteriorated over time due to exposure and the harsh conditions typical of Lake Michigan’s shoreline.
Located By & Date Found
Nil return.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No specific navigational warnings or obstructions related to the Windsor have been issued. However, the waters near Louis Island and the mouth of Green Bay remain areas of caution for mariners due to shallow reefs and unpredictable weather.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The loss of the Windsor in 1853 reflects the ever-present risks faced by Great Lakes schooners during the mid-19th century, particularly in regions like Green Bay, where sudden storms and shallow waters posed significant threats to navigation. Serving as a cargo vessel for the lumber mill industry, the Windsor played a role in the economic development of the Great Lakes region, supplying materials critical for the growth of frontier towns. While her end was likely quiet and unremarkable in the broader scope of Great Lakes history, the Windsor is a testament to the rugged and often perilous life of working schooners in the age of sail.
Suggested Keywords: Windsor Schooner, Green Bay shipwrecks, Lake Michigan schooners, 19th-century Great Lakes storms, lumber mill provisions, Louis Island shipwreck.
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Wooden Schooners of the Great Lakes, 19th Century Maritime Disasters.
Glossary Terms: Schooner, Gale, Grounding, Total Loss, Green Bay Navigation Hazards.
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