Identification & Site Information

• Name: EMILY TAYLOR
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 136386
• Type at Loss: Scow-Schooner, Wood, 2-Mast
• Year Built: 1893
• Build Location: Ahnapee, Wisconsin
• Specifications:  Length: 71 ft (21.64 m)  Beam: 20 ft (6.10 m)  Depth: 5 ft (1.52 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 55 tons
• Net Tonnage: 53 tons
• Date of Loss: November 10, 1901
• Place of Loss: Heizer Bay, approximately 20 miles north of Menominee, Michigan
• Lake: Michigan
• Type of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Wood

Vessel Type

The EMILY TAYLOR was a scow-Schooner, a type of flat-bottomed, square-ended vessel designed primarily for carrying bulk cargoes such as lumber, stone, and coal. These vessels were rugged and economical, well-suited to the shallow harbours and river mouths common around the Great Lakes. Their simple design made them easy to construct and maintain, but they were often vulnerable in severe weather due to their flat bottoms and limited stability.

Description & History

Built in 1893 at Ahnapee, Wisconsin, the EMILY TAYLOR served as a modest-sized freight Schooner, primarily hauling lumber and other bulk commodities along the western shores of Lake Michigan. Her scow-Schooner design was typical for vessels engaged in short-haul coastal shipping routes, especially in the booming lumber trade of the late 19th century.

The vessel was under the command and ownership of Captain Charles Stone from Gladstone, Michigan. It was not uncommon during this era for captains to bring their families aboard, particularly on shorter voyages or when operating in relatively sheltered waters. This practice, while logistically convenient, also added to the inherent risks of maritime travel in the unpredictable conditions of the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition

On November 10, 1901, while bound from Arthur Bay to Green Bay, the EMILY TAYLOR encountered a fierce storm on Lake Michigan. Battling high winds and rough seas, the Schooner was driven into the shallows at Heizer Bay, about 20 miles north of Menominee, Michigan. Once aground, the vessel was battered relentlessly by waves that broke completely over her throughout the night.

Aboard were Captain Stone, his wife, their two children, and two sailors. Trapped by the storm and unable to escape, the family and crew endured harrowing conditions until local fishermen, braving the same treacherous weather, managed to rescue them the following day. Despite the Schooner being pummeled by the surf, all aboard were saved without injury.

The EMILY TAYLOR was declared a Total Loss due to the extensive damage sustained from the storm and grounding. The remains of the vessel were likely salvaged for any reusable materials, as was common practice at the time.

Resources & Links

• Primary Sources:

• Maritime Vessel Registers (MV)
• Newspaper Archives (NSP)
• Historical Great Lakes Maritime Database (HGL)
• Wisconsin Great Lakes Shipwreck Database (WGTS)
• Basin Bulletin (BB)

Conclusion

The loss of the EMILY TAYLOR highlights the persistent dangers faced by mariners on the Great Lakes, even in the early 20th century when navigation aids and weather forecasting were improving. The vessel’s story is also a testament to the bravery of local fishermen who risked their lives to rescue Captain Stone and his family under perilous conditions. The Schooner’s modest size and utilitarian design represent an era when countless small vessels formed the backbone of commerce on the Great Lakes, quietly supporting industries and communities along the shoreline.