Identification & Site Information

• Name: Yankee Blade
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 27516
• Vessel Type at Loss: Schooner, wood
• Builder: B. B. Jones, Buffalo, New York
• Year Built & Launched: 1855
• Specifications: 130 ft (39.6 m) x 26 ft (7.9 m) x 10 ft (3 m)
  • Gross Tonnage: 256 GT
  • Net Tonnage: 243 NT
• Date Lost: September 1, 1883
• Location of Loss: Near Skillagalee Island, Lake Michigan
• Cause of Loss: Storm / Foundering due to leak
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo at Time of Loss: 507 tons of iron ore

Vessel Description & History

The Yankee Blade was a three-masted wooden Schooner built in 1855 by shipbuilder B. B. Jones in Buffalo, New York. She was constructed during a period when sailing vessels still dominated cargo transport on the Great Lakes, particularly for bulk materials like grain, coal, and iron ore.

As a Great Lakes Schooner, the Yankee Blade was part of a large fleet of similar vessels that carried raw materials between the industrial centers of the Midwest. She served in this capacity for nearly three decades, surviving multiple incidents that hinted at structural concerns before her eventual loss in 1883.

Final Voyage & Loss

On September 1, 1883, the Yankee Blade was en route from St. Ignace, Michigan, to Elk Rapids, Michigan, carrying a heavy cargo of iron ore. She encountered fresh winds and rough seas 8 miles (13 km) south of Skillagalee Island (now more commonly spelled Skillagalee), a well-known navigation hazard in Lake Michigan near the Straits of Mackinac.

During the storm, the Schooner sprang a leak, and water began flooding into the Hull. Unable to control the flooding, the crew had no choice but to abandon ship in a smallboat. They successfully rowed to Cross Village, Michigan, making it to shore unharmed.

Interestingly, two crewmen had deserted the Yankee Blade just before she set sail, citing concerns about her seaworthiness. Given her long service life and history of structural problems, their concerns appear to have been justified.

The Yankee Blade ultimately Foundered in 15 fathoms (90 ft / 27 m) of water, where she remains today.

Previous Incidents

The Yankee Blade had a long but troubled career, suffering multiple serious accidents before her final loss:

• September 1867 – Sprang a leak near St. Clair, Michigan, and had to be quickly beached to prevent sinking.

• April 1882 – Ran ashore at Jacksonport, Wisconsin, and was given up for lost, though she was later recovered and put back into service.

These incidents suggest that by 1883, the Schooner was already in poor condition, making her vulnerable to structural failure at sea.

Located By & Date Found

The Yankee Blade lies in 90 feet (27 meters) of water near Skillagalee Island, but no formal discovery or survey of her remains has been widely documented. Given her iron ore cargo, her wreck may still contain a significant amount of material.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No known modern navigational hazards related to this wreck are documented, but Skillagalee Island remains a dangerous area for mariners due to its shoals and unpredictable weather conditions.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• Great Lakes Maritime Database: https://greatlakeships.org
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org
• Great Lakes Vessel Database (BGSU): https://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/vessels
• Wikipedia – Skillagalee Island

Conclusion

The Yankee Blade was a veteran Schooner of the Great Lakes, active for nearly 30 years despite numerous structural failures. Her loss in 1883 was likely due to her aged condition, worsened by heavy cargo and rough weather. While she met her end off Skillagalee Island, her crew survived—though their last-minute desertions and warnings about her condition remain an eerie footnote to her story.