Shipwreck Report: Our Son (1875, Wooden Schooner)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Our Son
• Type: Wooden Schooner
• Build Date: 1875
• Builder: Captain Harry Kelley, Black River (Lorain), Ohio
• Measurements: Length: 57.9 metres (190 feet) Beam: 10.5 metres (34 feet, 6 inches)
• Final Voyage: September 26, 1930
• Final Location: 40 miles west-southwest of Big Sable Point, Lake Michigan
• Status: Sank in deep water

Vessel Type & Description

The Our Son was a three-masted wooden Schooner, one of the last cargo-carrying sailing ships on the Great Lakes. The ship transported goods such as lumber, grain, and coal during its long operational life. Its career represented the waning days of Schooner-based shipping on the Great Lakes, as steamers and motorized vessels replaced sail-powered ships by the early 20th century.

History

Construction and Namesake

• Built in 1875 by Captain Harry Kelley, the ship was named in honour of his youngest son, George Irving Kelley, who tragically drowned in the Black River just before the vessel’s launch on August 11, 1871.

• The ship became a living memorial, with its name serving as a tribute to the young boy’s memory.

• An older brother, Frank Kelley, remarked in 1930 after the ship’s loss: “There couldn’t have been a more fitting tribute to young George than when Dad named that ship for him.”

Operational Career

The Our Son sailed the Great Lakes for over 55 years, transporting various bulk cargos.  By the early 20th century, it became a rare sight as one of the few remaining schooners still in operation, providing a link to the golden age of sailing vessels on the Great Lakes.

The Final Voyage

Date: September 26, 1930

Incident: The ship encountered trouble approximately 40 miles west-southwest of Big Sable Point, Lake Michigan, during a voyage. Rescue: The crew of seven was saved by the Steamer William Nelson, which responded to the distress call. Despite the rescue, the Our Son sank to the bottom of Lake Michigan, marking the end of its long career.

Historical Significance

Last Great Lakes Schooner: The Our Son is widely regarded as one of the last active cargo-carrying schooners on the Great Lakes. Its sinking symbolized the final chapter in the era of commercial sailing vessels on the inland seas.

Living Memorial: Named after a lost child, the ship carried deep personal significance for its builder, Captain Harry Kelley, and his family. Its story became a poignant reminder of the personal connections often tied to vessels of this era.

Legacy of Sailing Ships: The Our Son served as a testament to the durability and reliability of schooners during their prime, maintaining service well into the 20th century despite the dominance of steam and motorized ships.

Final Disposition

• Date Lost: September 26, 1930
• Location: Lake Michigan, in deep water approximately 40 miles west-southwest of Big Sable Point.
• The exact location of the wreck has not been documented or confirmed, making it an intriguing subject for future exploration.

Photographic Record

 A 1921 photograph of the Our Son, taken near Detour, Lake Huron, by Allan McPhatter from the Deck of the S.S. Emperor, is preserved as part of the Wiarton Propeller Club Collection. The photograph captures the ship in its later years, still active amidst the dominance of steam-powered vessels.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• Great Lakes Historical Society: Archives may contain additional details about the ship and its final voyage.
• Wiarton Propeller Club Collection: Preserves the 1921 photograph and other records related to Great Lakes shipping.

Conclusion

The Our Son holds a special place in Great Lakes maritime history as one of the last operational schooners. Its tragic end in 1930 marked not only the loss of a vessel but the passing of an era. Serving as a living memorial to George Irving Kelley, the ship’s story resonates deeply as a symbol of familial love and the enduring legacy of sailing ships on the Great Lakes.