Schooner Trenton (1843–1856)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Trenton
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: None (Pre-1869 U.S. vessel documentation era)
• Vessel Type at Loss: Wooden two-masted Schooner
• Builder: W.S. Lyons, Black River, Ohio (now Lorain, Ohio)
• Year Built & Launched: 1843
• Specifications: Length: 85 ft (25.9 m) Beam: 20 ft (6.1 m) Depth: 9 ft (2.7 m) 
• Gross Tonnage: 133 GT
• Date Lost: October 1856 (exact date uncertain)
• Location of Loss: Near the mouth of the Grand River, Grand Haven, Michigan, Lake Michigan
• Cause of Loss: Storm (driven ashore and wrecked)
• Loss of Life: None mentioned
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Unknown

Vessel Description & Service History

The Trenton was a Great Lakes Schooner, built in 1843 at Black River, Ohio (now Lorain, Ohio) by W.S. Lyons. Likely operated in the grain, lumber, or general cargo trade between Buffalo, Milwaukee, Chicago, and Michigan ports.  Registered out of Buffalo, New York, a major hub for early Great Lakes shipping.  Designed for lake commerce, she was part of the fleet of mid-19th-century schooners that transported goods across Lake Erie, Lake Michigan, and beyond.

Final Voyage & Loss (October 1856)

In late October 1856, the Trenton was caught in a powerful storm near the Grand River (Grand Haven, Michigan).

The storm drove her ashore, leaving her stranded near the river’s mouth. She was severely damaged and declared a Total Loss. No lives were reported lost, indicating the crew likely made it to safety. The wreck was not salvaged, suggesting she either broke apart quickly or was too damaged for recovery.

Final Disposition & Salvage

 Declared a Total Loss due to storm damage. No known salvage efforts  Remains likely deteriorated or buried under shifting sands near Grand Haven.

Located By & Date Found

 No confirmed modern discovery of the wreck. Potential remains may exist offshore or under sand near the mouth of the Grand River.

NOTMARs & Advisories

The mouth of the Grand River was historically a hazardous area, with frequent shipwrecks due to shifting sandbars, storms, and navigation challenges.  Schooners like the Trenton were heavily reliant on wind conditions, making them vulnerable to sudden gales. 1856 was a particularly active storm year on the Great Lakes, with multiple vessels lost to high winds and rough waters.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• Great Lakes Maritime Database (GLMD): https://greatlakeships.org
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org
• Great Lakes Vessel Database (BGSU): https://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/vessels

Conclusion

The Trenton was a mid-sized Schooner, lost in a severe October storm in 1856 near Grand Haven, Michigan. Though no lives were lost, the vessel was completely destroyed and never recovered. Like many schooners of the era, her remains have likely been buried by sand or deteriorated over time, making her one of many forgotten shipwrecks of Lake Michigan’s early maritime history.