Schooner-Barge Transfer (1874–1896)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Transfer
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 59353
• Vessel Type at Loss: Wooden Schooner-Barge, originally a 3-mast Schooner
• Builder: Kirby, Furlong & Co., Grand Haven, Michigan (some sources credit John Callister)
• Year Built & Launched: 1874
• Specifications:  Length: 143 ft (43.6 m)  Beam: 28 ft (8.5 m)  Depth: 11 ft (3.4 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 361 GT
• Net Tonnage: 343 NT 
• Date Lost: October 29, 1896
• Location of Loss: East side of Big Summer Island, Lake Michigan
• Cause of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Light (likely in ballast)

Vessel Description & Service History

The Transfer was a wooden Schooner-Barge, originally launched as a 3-masted Schooner in 1874 by Kirby, Furlong & Co. of Grand Haven, Michigan. Some records alternatively credit John Callister with her construction, reflecting common discrepancies in 19th-century ship registries.  Initially built for bulk cargo transport on the Great Lakes, the Transfer was later converted into a Schooner-Barge, a common practice as towing by steamers became more efficient than relying solely on sail power.

She operated primarily in the Lake Michigan region, transporting lumber, coal, and general bulk freight between ports in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Illinois.  Owned by the Tonawanda Barge Line at the time of her loss, she was part of a fleet engaged in the busy Great Lakes shipping trade during the late 19th century.

Final Voyage & Loss (October 29, 1896)

On October 29, 1896, the Transfer was en route from Chicago to Manistique, Michigan, sailing light (without cargo). She was under tow of the Steamer Alleghany, a common arrangement for Schooner-barges during this era.  While navigating the waters near Big Summer Island in northern Lake Michigan, the vessels encountered a severe storm.  Battling strong winds and rough seas, the Transfer was driven aground on the island’s eastern shore.  Despite the grounding, the vessel was not severely damaged initially, and no lives were lost. However, efforts to refloat the Transfer were either unsuccessful or deemed too costly. The decision was made to abandon the wreck in place.  Over the next year and a half, exposure to harsh Lake Michigan weather, including ice and storms, caused the vessel to break apart and deteriorate.  By the late 1890s, the Transfer had completely gone to pieces, leaving little more than scattered debris.

Final Disposition & Salvage

The Transfer was Abandoned in place after the grounding.  No significant salvage efforts were recorded.  Over time, the wreck broke apart, with remains likely scattered along the shoreline of Big Summer Island.

Located By & Date Found

No confirmed discovery of the wreck site has been documented.  Given the vessel’s wooden construction and the extended period it remained exposed to the elements, any remaining wreckage may be minimal or buried in sediment along the island’s coast.

NOTMARs & Advisories

 No known navigational hazards related to the Transfer currently exist, as the wreck has likely deteriorated beyond posing a danger to modern shipping.  The site may be of archaeological interest to Great Lakes shipwreck researchers, particularly those studying Schooner-Barge conversions and the evolution of freight transport during the transition from sail to steam.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The Transfer exemplifies the transition era of Great Lakes shipping, where sailing schooners were converted into barges to be towed by steamers, maximizing efficiency. Her loss in 1896 near Big Summer Island reflects the ongoing challenges faced by mariners navigating the treacherous waters of Lake Michigan, especially when confronted with sudden storms. While no lives were lost, her gradual disintegration on the rocky shoreline serves as a reminder of the fragility of wooden vessels against the forces of nature.