Shipwreck Report: Schooner Zenobia (1857–1858)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Zenobia
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: None
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
• Built: 1857, by D. M. O’Connor (Buffalo?)
• Final Location: Point Betsie, Lake Michigan
• Date Lost: October 8, 1858 
• Cause: Storm
• Final Cargo: 16,000 bushels of corn
• Loss of Life: None
• Specifications Tonnage: 368 Tonnage (Old Style)
• Hull Material: Wood
• Propulsion: Sail-powered Schooner

Operational History

The Zenobia was a large three-masted wooden Schooner, built in 1857, likely for grain transport on the Great Lakes. She was owned by E.K. Bruce of Chicago and operated in the Chicago-to-Buffalo grain trade, carrying bulk agricultural goods such as corn, wheat, and flour from the Midwest to the eastern markets.

During the mid-19th century, schooners were the primary cargo vessels on the lakes, but they were highly vulnerable to Lake Michigan’s powerful storms—especially in autumn.

Final Voyage & Loss (October 8, 1858)

• Departure:  The Zenobia left Chicago, loaded with 16,000 bushels of corn, bound for Buffalo, New York. The journey would typically take several days, navigating Lake Michigan, the Straits of Mackinac, and Lake Huron before reaching Buffalo via Lake Erie.
• Weather Conditions:  Three days into the voyage, the Zenobia encountered a powerful storm. The storm drove her off course, pushing her toward the shoreline at Point Betsie (near present-day Frankfort, Michigan).
• Incident Details:  The Zenobia was unable to fight against the storm and was driven ashore at Point Betsie. The force of the waves pounded the ship against the rocks, breaking her apart.
• The crew clung to the wreck for three days, unable to reach shore due to the rough waters. Once conditions improved, they managed to make it to shore and report the loss.
• The vessel was declared a Total Loss, along with her entire cargo of corn.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: Point Betsie, Lake Michigan (near present-day Frankfort, MI)
• Current Condition:  The wooden Hull was likely broken apart by waves and sand movement over the years.
• Iron hardware, fastenings, and possibly some cargo remnants could still exist on the lakebed.
• Potential for Discovery:  No modern documentation confirms the wreck’s exact location.
• Maritime archaeologists and wreck hunters could potentially locate scattered remains near Point Betsie.

Legacy and Significance

A Classic Example of 19th-Century Great Lakes Schooner Losses The Zenobia’s loss was typical of early Great Lakes grain schooners, which were frequently lost to autumn storms.

By the late 19th century, steam-powered bulk freighters replaced sailing schooners, making them less vulnerable to sudden gales.

The Perils of the Grain Trade  Chicago and Buffalo were major grain ports, and ships like the Zenobia played a vital role in feeding eastern U.S. cities However, autumn storms often wrecked vessels before they could deliver their cargo, leading to huge financial losses for shipping companies.

Point Betsie – A Notorious Shipwreck Zone The Point Betsie area is known for dangerous weather conditions, especially in late-season storms.  Other notable wrecks near Point Betsie include:

• SS Francisco Morazan (1960)
• Schooner Mary Ludwig (1879)

Further Research and Resources

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Contains historical ship registries and shipping company records.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (Whitefish Point, MI) https://www.shipwreckmuseum.com Documents shipwrecks lost in Lake Michigan and nearby waters.
• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association https://www.michiganshipwrecks.org Provides detailed research on Michigan’s lost ships, including schooners like the Zenobia.
• Point Betsie Lighthouse Museum https://www.pointbetsie.org  Archives local shipwrecks and maritime history.

Conclusion

The Zenobia (1857–1858) was a wooden Schooner built for the Chicago-to-Buffalo grain trade. She ran aground at Point Betsie during a storm on October 8, 1858, losing her cargo of 16,000 bushels of corn. Her crew survived after clinging to the wreck for three days. The wreck has never been definitively located, but potential remnants may still exist near Point Betsie, Michigan.