Identification & Site Information

• Wreck Name: BONNIE DOON

• Official Number: 2136

• Vessel Type: Schooner

• Year Built: 1855

• Builder: William Shupe, Huron, Ohio

• Material: Wood

• Dimensions: Approx. 133 feet (40.5 m) in length

• Tonnage: 255 tons

• Final Disposition: Wrecked on December 6, 1867

• Location: Straits of Mackinac, near Bois Blanc Island, Lake Huron

Vessel Type Description

The BONNIE DOON was a wooden Schooner, a sailing vessel widely used on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Equipped with multiple masts and fore-and-aft rigged sails, schooners like the BONNIE DOON were integral to transporting bulk goods, such as lumber and grain, across the Great Lakes. Its substantial dimensions and tonnage highlight its importance in the bustling maritime trade of the era.

History

Built in 1855 by William Shupe in Huron, Ohio, the BONNIE DOON was a robust Schooner dedicated to the lumber trade, a cornerstone of the 19th-century Great Lakes economy. It underwent a Rebuild in 1864, extending its operational life and adapting to evolving maritime demands.

The vessel’s ownership changed hands multiple times, with notable owners including E. L. Gillette from Chicago and T. M. Hilson from Detroit. Despite its service and durability, the BONNIE DOON met its demise in a fierce storm on December 6, 1867. While transporting lumber from Saginaw to Chicago, the Schooner was driven ashore near Bois Blanc Island in the Straits of Mackinac. Efforts to salvage the vessel were made, but the harsh conditions of Lake Huron proved insurmountable, leading to its abandonment in April 1868.

Conflicting accounts reference another vessel named BONNIE DOON, described as a sloop, that burned in 1880 at Meldrum Bay in Lake Huron, Ontario. This may indicate a case of mistaken identity or the reuse of the name for a different vessel.

Final Disposition

The BONNIE DOON was Abandoned in April 1868 after repeated salvage attempts failed. Its final resting place is near Bois Blanc Island, where it grounded during the storm. The wreck is not marked or considered a hazard to navigation today.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• Current Status: No active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are issued for the wreck.

• Navigational Hazard: The wreck is not regarded as a hazard.

Located By & Date

The exact wreck site of the BONNIE DOON remains undocumented in modern records.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Ships

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Conclusion

The BONNIE DOON exemplifies the challenges faced by 19th-century schooners operating on the Great Lakes. From its construction in 1855 to its abandonment in 1868, the vessel played a vital role in the lumber trade, crucial to the region’s economy. Its wreck near Bois Blanc Island underscores the perilous nature of Great Lakes navigation and the complexities of ship salvage during the era. The BONNIE DOON remains a testament to the resilience and risks of maritime commerce in one of North America’s most treacherous inland seas.

Keywords

BONNIE DOON, Great Lakes shipwreck, Lake Huron storm, 19th-century maritime disaster, Great Lakes lumber trade, shipwreck salvage, Straits of Mackinac, Bois Blanc Island.