Identification & Site Information
- Name: Wing
- Former Names: None
- Official Registration Number: Not listed in the 1899 Merchant Vessel List
- Date Built and Launched: Built in 1896 by H. Genther, St. Joseph, Michigan
- Measurements: 50 ft (15.2 m) length
- Date Lost: November 8, 1900
- Place of Loss: 10 miles south of St. Joseph, Michigan
- Lake: Lake Michigan
Vessel Type
The Wing was a small wooden Schooner, primarily used for transporting produce and farm goods along the southwestern shores of Lake Michigan.
Description
Launched in 1896, the Wing was a compact Schooner designed for short-haul routes, especially suited to the transport of agricultural products between small ports. Despite her modest size, she played a crucial role in the local economy, ferrying goods between St. Joseph, Michigan, and Calumet, Illinois. Owned and captained by Henry Genther of St. Joseph, the vessel reflected the entrepreneurial spirit of small-scale shipping operations on the Great Lakes at the turn of the 20th century.
History
The Wing maintained a regular route between St. Joseph and Calumet, Illinois, carrying produce mainly potatoes and apples. However, her small size made her particularly vulnerable to the harsh conditions of Lake Michigan, especially during the late shipping season when storms were frequent and severe.
In October 1900, just a month before her final loss, the Wing went hard ashore in a storm at Union Pier, Michigan, while transporting a cargo of apples. At the time, the vessel was believed to be a Total Loss, though she was subsequently recovered. This incident led to public criticism of Captain Genther in local newspapers, with some accusing him of being “too venturesome with his little craft,” highlighting concerns about the risks he took navigating a small Schooner in unpredictable weather.
On November 7, 1900, while approaching Chicago with a cargo of potatoes, the Wing was caught in another severe storm. Recognizing the danger, Captain Genther decided to turn back toward St. Joseph. Despite a valiant effort to reach safety, the Schooner was driven ashore 10 miles south of St. Joseph the next day. The crew of two narrowly escaped death, battling icy gales that almost overwhelmed them before they managed to reach shore safely.
Final Disposition
The Wing was driven ashore and wrecked 10 miles south of St. Joseph, Michigan, on November 8, 1900. The vessel was declared a Total Loss, and no salvage efforts were recorded.
Located By & Date Found
Nil return.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No specific navigational warnings or obstructions related to the wreck of the Wing have been issued.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The story of the Wing reflects the challenges faced by small-scale mariners navigating the Great Lakes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite her modest size, the Schooner played an important role in the regional transport of agricultural goods. Captain Genther’s determination to continue operating the Wing in the face of repeated dangers highlights both the resilience and the risks inherent in Great Lakes shipping. Her final loss in 1900 underscores the perilous conditions of Lake Michigan, especially for smaller vessels operating late in the season.
Suggested Keywords: Wing, Lake Michigan schooner, St. Joseph maritime history, Union Pier shipwreck, small craft shipwrecks, Great Lakes produce transport.
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Small Schooner Disasters, 19th Century Great Lakes Shipping.
Glossary Terms: Two-Masted Schooner, Grounding, Lake Michigan Storms, Great Lakes Produce Trade, Vessel Loss Due to Storm.
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