Identification & Site Information

• Name: Union
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 25138
• Date Built & Launched: 1852
• Builder: Ashtabula, Ohio
• Specifications: 82 ft x 22 ft x 7 ft (25.0 m x 6.7 m x 2.1 m), 73 tons
• Vessel Type: Wooden scow-Schooner
• Date Lost: October 30, 1870
• Place of Loss: St. Joseph, Michigan, Lake Michigan
• Cause of Loss: Struck pilings while attempting to enter harbor, later broke up
• Owner: Boutell, Mitchell, and Westover, Bay City, Michigan
• Rebuilds:
  • 1854 – First Rebuild
  • 1857 – Second Rebuild by H. Revell, Holland, Michigan

Vessel Type

The Union was a wooden scow-Schooner, a flat-bottomed sailing vessel designed to carry bulk cargo such as lumber, coal, or stone. These vessels were popular on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, as their shallow Draft allowed them to navigate rivers, harbors, and small coastal ports more easily than deeper-hulled schooners.

Description & History

Built in 1852 in Ashtabula, Ohio, the Union had a long service life, undergoing major rebuilds in 1854 and again in 1857 at Holland, Michigan, by H. Revell. It was owned by Boutell, Mitchell, and Westover of Bay City, Michigan, and was likely involved in regional cargo transport.

On October 30, 1870, the Union was caught in a storm off St. Joseph, Michigan. The crew held the vessel outside the harbor for two days, waiting for conditions to improve. When they finally attempted to enter, the Schooner struck pilings near the harbor entrance.

As the storm continued, one of the pilings worked loose, causing the Union to careen over and sink. The wreck settled near the end of the south pier at St. Joseph. Soon after, the Hull began to break apart due to the force of the waves.

Later, the Tug Daisy Lee was used to scatter the remains, likely to clear the harbor entrance for navigation.

Final Disposition

The Union broke apart soon after sinking, and its remains were dispersed by the Tug Daisy Lee, preventing any major wreckage from being preserved.

Located By & Date Found

No known discovery of the wreck has been documented, as the remains were intentionally scattered.

NOTMARs & Advisories

The St. Joseph harbor entrance has undergone multiple dredging and construction projects, likely removing any remaining debris.

The south pier area remains a high-traffic zone, with no known modern hazards linked to the wreck.

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 durable but aging scow-Schooner, surviving multiple rebuilds before ultimately falling victim to a storm near St. Joseph, Michigan. Its loss highlights the risks of harbor entry during rough weather and the difficulties of navigating early Great Lakes piers and breakwaters. While the ship itself was lost, its intentional dispersal by the Tug Daisy Lee ensured safe passage for future vessels entering the harbor.

Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Great Lakes schooners, scow-schooners, Lake Michigan shipwrecks, St. Joseph harbor history, storm wrecks

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, 19th-century shipwrecks, wooden schooners, harbor entry accidents

Glossary Terms: Scow-Schooner, Harbor Pilings, Storm Stranding, Dredging & Wreck Clearance