Shipwreck Report: Wollin (1854–1897)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Wollin (also seen as Wallin)
• Official Number: 26349
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
• Built: 1854, by J.M. Jones, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Final Location: 2 miles north of Sheboygan, Wisconsin (Lake Michigan)
• Date Lost: April 29, 1897
• Cause: Driven ashore in a storm
• Final Cargo: Wood and potatoes
• Loss of Life: None of the 5 crew members
• Owner at Loss: Captain Bergman, Holland, Michigan
• Master at Loss: Captain Bergman
• Specifications
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Length: 84 feet (25.6 meters) Beam: 19 feet (5.8 meters) Depth: 5 feet (1.5 meters)
• Gross Tonnage  49 gross
• Net Tonnage – 46 net tons

Operational History

The Wollin was built in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1854 by shipbuilder J.M. Jones. A small Schooner, she was designed for coastal trading and carried lumber, agricultural goods, and other bulk cargoes along the Great Lakes. She served for an impressive 43 seasons, primarily operating between Frankfort, Michigan, Milwaukee, and other Lake Michigan ports.

 Over her long career, she underwent two major rebuilds, in 1872 and 1878, which extended her service life significantly.By the late 19th century, however, wooden schooners were rapidly being replaced by steamships, making Wollin one of the last of her kind.

Final Voyage & Loss (April 29, 1897)

The Wollin was on a voyage from Frankfort, Michigan, to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, carrying a cargo of wood and potatoes.  As she neared Sheboygan, Wisconsin, she was caught in a powerful gale.

 The aging Schooner was no match for the heavy winds and waves and was driven ashore 2 miles north of Sheboygan. The Lifesaving Service responded quickly, but the crew had to be rescued under extremely difficult conditions due to the storm’s intensity.

The Wollin was declared a Total Loss. This marked the end of a 43-year career, a remarkable lifespan for a wooden Schooner of that era.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: Near Sheboygan, Wisconsin (Lake Michigan)
• Current Status: The wreck is believed to be buried under shifting sands near the shoreline.
• Potential for Discovery:
  • Given her small size and long exposure to the elements, little remains of the Wollin today.
  • Side-scan sonar or magnetometer surveys may locate remnants of her iron fittings, ballast stones, or Hull fragments.

Legacy and Significance

One of the Last Sailing Schooners of Her Era  The Wollin survived into the late 19th century, at a time when wooden schooners were rapidly disappearing.  By 1897, most freight was transported by steam-powered vessels, making Wollin a relic of a bygone era.

Connection to the U.S. Lifesaving Service  The Sheboygan Lifesaving Station’s rescue of her crew was a testament to the skill and bravery of the precursor to the U.S. Coast Guard • The rescue was described as highly challenging, emphasizing the dangers of Great Lakes shipping.

Example of a Sturdy Workhorse Vessel  Surviving 43 seasons on the Great Lakes, despite frequent storms and heavy cargoes, Wollin was an example of how well-built schooners could endure decades of hard use.

Further Research and Resources

• Wisconsin Shipwreck Database – https://www.wisconsinshipwrecks.org Covers shipwrecks in Wisconsin waters, including those near Sheboygan.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Research Database Contains historical records on shipwrecks, captains, and vessel details.
• National Museum of the Great Lakes – https://nmgl.org Provides archives and research on Great Lakes shipping history.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes – http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Includes historical accounts of schooners like Wollin.

Conclusion

The Wollin was a classic Great Lakes Schooner that survived for 43 years in the demanding cargo trade between Michigan and Wisconsin.

Her final voyage in 1897 saw her driven ashore in a storm near Sheboygan, where she was lost despite heroic rescue efforts by the Lifesaving Service.

Although little remains of the wreck today, her long service life and dramatic final loss make her a notable piece of Great Lakes maritime history.