Shipwreck Report: Schooner Hubbard (1856)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Hubbard
• Year Built: 1856
• Official Number: 11179
• Vessel Type: Schooner
• Hull Material: Wood
• Builder: Daniel Dibble, Port Clinton, Ohio
• Original Owners: R.B.L. & W. Hubbard, Lexington, Michigan
• Specifications  Length: 131 feet (39.9 metres) Beam: 25 feet 10 inches (7.87 metres) Depth: 10 feet 10 inches (3.3 metres)
• Tonnage (Old Style): 341 tons
• Number of Decks: 1
• Number of Masts: 2

Vessel History

Launched in 1856, the Hubbard was built to transport bulk cargoes like grain, coal, and lumber across the Great Lakes. Enrolled in Detroit, Michigan, in May 1856, it primarily operated routes between Buffalo, New York, and Chicago, Illinois, key ports in the Great Lakes trade network.

Notable Incidents

The Hubbard experienced numerous mishaps during its operational career, reflecting the dangers of 19th-century shipping on the Great Lakes:

• 1857 (Lake Erie): Collided with the propeller General Taylor while carrying corn. Both vessels were damaged but continued service after repairs.
• 1861 (Detroit River): Collision with the Steamer Ocean.
• 1864 (Lake Huron): Ran aground near Sarnia during a squall but was refloated.
• 1867 (Straits of Mackinac): Collided with the Bark Board of Trade.
• 1869 (Chicago): Struck a bridge in Chicago, causing damage.
• 1871 (Waugoshance, Lake Michigan): Ran aground while carrying grain but was salvaged and Rebuilt after striking the Chicago Breakwater later that year.

Final Voyage and Wreck

• Date of Loss: October 30, 1875
• Location: Off Little Black Lake, near Muskegon, Michigan, on Lake Michigan.
• Cause: The Hubbard was driven ashore in a gale while carrying coal from Buffalo to Chicago.
• Outcome: The vessel was wrecked beyond recovery.
• Crew Rescue: Local residents braved the storm to rescue the crew, with no loss of life reported.

Legacy and Significance

Service to Great Lakes Commerce The Hubbard was a reliable workhorse during its nearly 20-year career, supporting the transport of essential materials such as grain, coal, and lumber.

Durability and Repairs Despite frequent collisions and groundings, the vessel was repaired and Rebuilt multiple times, highlighting the persistence of shipowners to maintain valuable assets during a time of limited resources.

Maritime Challenges of the Era The Hubbard’s career reflects the perils of Great Lakes shipping in the mid-19th century, including storms, collisions, and navigational hazards.

Wreck Site The wreck of the Hubbard lies off Little Black Lake, near Muskegon, Michigan, in Lake Michigan. While no detailed surveys of the site have been reported, the shallow and sandy conditions of the area suggest the vessel’s remains may be partially buried.

Further Research and Resources

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.caProvides detailed records of the Hubbard’s enrollments and mishaps.
• Muskegon Historical Society May contain local accounts of the Hubbard’s wreck and the crew rescue.
• Bowling Green State University Archives
•  Holds shipping records and documents from the era, including references to the Hubbard’s collisions and ownership changes.

Conclusion

The Hubbard was a classic example of a mid-19th-century Great Lakes Schooner, enduring a rugged career filled with collisions, groundings, and storms. Its final wreck in 1875 off Muskegon underscores the challenges of maritime commerce during this period. Despite its loss, the Hubbard’s service contributed to the growth of trade and industry in the Great Lakes region, and its story remains a testament to the resilience of ships and sailors of the era.