Identification & Site Information

• Name: Union
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 25048
• Date Built & Launched: 1861
• Builder: S. Bates, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
• Specifications: 163 ft x 26 ft x 12 ft (49.7 m x 7.9 m x 3.7 m), 553 gross tons, 434 net tons
• Vessel Type: Wooden propeller bulk freighter (converted to a steambarge in 1872)
• Date Lost: September 25, 1873
• Place of Loss: Near Au Sable Point, Lake Superior
• Cause of Loss: Driven into shallows by a westerly gale, later pounded to pieces
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo: Iron ore
• Owner: Mark English, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
• Port of Registry: Green Bay, Wisconsin

Vessel Type

The Union was originally a wooden propeller-driven bulk freighter, designed for transporting heavy cargo such as iron ore, coal, and grain across the Great Lakes. By 1872, it had been cut down to a steambarge, a common practice where masts and upper decks were removed to increase cargo capacity and ease loading and unloading.

Description & History

Built in 1861 by S. Bates in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, the Union was part of the expanding bulk freight industry on the Great Lakes, which was essential for moving raw materials to growing industrial centers. The vessel had an interesting lineage, as its machinery and first captain came from the former Goodrich Line Steamer Ogontz, a passenger and freight Steamer.

On September 25, 1873, the Union was caught in a westerly gale near Au Sable Point, Lake Superior. The storm drove the ship into the shallows, where it became stranded. Over time, the vessel was pounded by waves and completely broken apart.

Despite the wreck, some machinery was salvaged:

• Engine recovered in 1874
• Boiler recovered in 1875

At the time of the loss, 16 different vessels on the Great Lakes were named Union, causing some confusion in early shipwreck reports.

Final Disposition

The Union was declared a Total Loss, and its remains were scattered in the shallows near Au Sable Point.

Located By & Date Found

No confirmed discovery of the wreck has been documented, though some wreckage may remain in the area.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Au Sable Point is a known shipwreck area, with numerous vessels lost due to shifting sands, strong currents, and frequent storms.  The area is part of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, which preserves several Lake Superior shipwreck sites.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• NOAA Great Lakes Shipwrecks

Conclusion

The Union was a classic example of the evolving Great Lakes bulk freight industry, transitioning from a propeller-driven freighter to a steambarge to better handle the increasing demand for iron ore transport. Its loss at Au Sable Point in 1873 highlights the dangers of Lake Superior storms, which have claimed many similar vessels over the years. Though its engine and boiler were salvaged, the ship itself was completely destroyed by wave action.

Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Great Lakes bulk freighters, steambarge conversions, Lake Superior shipwrecks, iron ore transport, Au Sable Point wrecks

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Superior, 19th-century shipwrecks, wooden freighters, storm-related losses

Glossary Terms: Steambarge, Propeller Freighter, Bulk Cargo, Lake Superior Navigation