Shipwreck Report: Schooner-Barge Yukon (1893–1905)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Yukon
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 27656
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge (Bulk Freight, 2-Mast)
• Built: 1893, by F. Wheeler & Co., West Bay City, Michigan (Hull #101)
• Final Location: 3 miles off Ashtabula, Ohio, Lake Erie
• Date Lost: October 20, 1905
• Cause: Storm
• Final Cargo: Unknown
• Loss of Life: None
• Specifications Length: 270 feet (82.3 meters) Beam: 42 feet (12.8 meters) Depth: 18 feet (5.5 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 1,602 tons
• Net Tonnage: 1,523 tons
• Hull Material: Wood
• Number of Masts: Originally built as a 3-mast Schooner, later converted to a 2-mast Schooner-Barge
• Owner: Gilchrist Transportation Company (Gilchrist Fleet)

Operational History

The Yukon was a large wooden Schooner-Barge, built in 1893 by F. Wheeler & Co. in West Bay City, Michigan. Originally constructed as a three-masted Schooner, she was later converted into a two-masted Schooner-Barge, meaning she was typically towed by a steam-powered vessel rather than operating under her own sail power.

As part of the Gilchrist fleet, the Yukon primarily carried bulk cargo, such as iron ore, coal, and grain, between Great Lakes ports. The use of Schooner-barges in the late 19th century was a cost-effective way to increase shipping capacity, allowing one steam-powered Tug or freighter to tow multiple barges.

However, wooden Schooner-barges had a tendency to fill with water and sink in rough weather, as they lacked the power to maneuver in storms.

Final Voyage & Loss (October 20, 1905)

Route & Cargo:

The Yukon was in tow, likely carrying bulk freight, though records do not specify the exact cargo.  She was being towed on Lake Erie when a gale struck.

Weather Conditions: A severe storm developed on Lake Erie, bringing high winds and rough waves. The Yukon struggled to stay afloat, as waves crashed over her decks and water filled her Hull.

Incident Details: The Yukon eventually succumbed to the storm, filled with water, and sank about 3 miles off Ashtabula, Ohio.  All crew members were successfully rescued by the Tug Thomas Wilson before the ship went under.

Aftermath: The wreck was considered a hazard to navigation, and in July 1906, the remains were deliberately blown up to clear the obstruction.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: 3 miles off Ashtabula, Ohio, Lake Erie
•  Current Condition:
  • Since the hulk was blown up in 1906, only scattered remnants of the wreck may still exist.
  • Some iron fittings, anchor chains, and fastenings could remain on the lakebed.
• • Potential for Discovery: Given the intentional destruction of the wreck, finding large structural remains is unlikely. However, historical sonar scans or dive explorations in the area may still locate fragments of the Yukon.

Legacy and Significance

A Typical Example of a Late 19th-Century Schooner-Barge Loss The Yukon’s fate was common for Schooner-barges, which were heavily used but often vulnerable in rough weather.  By the early 20th century, Schooner-barges were being phased out in favor of steel freighters, which were more durable and self-propelled.

The Risks of Lake Erie Shipping

Lake Erie’s shallow waters and sudden storms have caused hundreds of shipwrecks. The Yukon’s loss in 1905 was one of many similar incidents, as older wooden vessels struggled to withstand modern shipping demands.

Part of the Gilchrist Fleet The Gilchrist Transportation Company was a major player in Great Lakes shipping, operating a fleet of bulk carriers, Schooner-barges, and steamships. Many Gilchrist vessels met similar fates, highlighting the hazards of bulk cargo transport in the early 20th century.

Further Research and Resources

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes  http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Provides detailed ship registries and historical accounts of Schooner-barges like the Yukon.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (Whitefish Point, MI)  https://www.shipwreckmuseum.com Archives shipwrecks from Lake Erie and other Great Lakes.
• Ashtabula Maritime Museum Documents shipwrecks off the Ohio coastline, including the Yukon.
• NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory https://www.glerl.noaa.gov  Provides sonar mapping and shipwreck research on Lake Erie.

Conclusion

The Yukon (1893–1905) was a large wooden Schooner-Barge built in West Bay City, Michigan, originally a three-masted Schooner later converted to a two-masted Barge. She sank in a gale off Ashtabula, Ohio, on October 20, 1905, but her crew was rescued by the Tug Thomas Wilson. The wreck was deemed a hazard and blown up in 1906, leaving only scattered remnants on the lakebed.

Her story reflects the dangers of Great Lakes shipping in the early 20th century, as wooden Schooner-barges were gradually replaced by more modern steel freighters.