Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: TELEGRAPH
• Type at Loss: Schooner, Wood, 2-Mast
• Builder: John Conner, Ferry’s Point Mill, Michigan
• Year Built: 1848
• Specifications: Length: 104 ft (31.7 m) Beam: 24 ft (7.3 m) Depth: 8 ft (2.4 m)
• Tonnage: 179 tonnage(Old Style)
• Date Lost: September 28, 1853
• Cause: Storm
• Place of Loss: Off White Lake, Michigan, Lake Michigan
• Cargo: Lumber
• Loss of Life: None

Vessel Type

The TELEGRAPH was a 2-masted wooden Schooner, a typical vessel for the mid-19th century on the Great Lakes, designed for hauling bulk cargo like lumber, grain, and other raw materials. Schooners were favored for their simplicity, ease of handling, and efficiency on both long and short hauls across the lakes.

Description

Built in 1848 at Ferry’s Point Mill, Michigan, by shipbuilder John Conner, the TELEGRAPH measured 104 feet in length with a beam of 24 feet and a depth of 8 feet. Her tonnage was recorded at 179 tons, reflecting her capacity to carry sizable cargoes, particularly lumber, which was a booming industry in Michigan during this era.

The Schooner’s construction at Ferry’s Point Mill—an important shipbuilding site linked to the development of Grand Haven’s maritime economy—places her among the vessels that supported Michigan’s growing lumber trade.

History

The TELEGRAPH was owned by William M. Ferry, a key figure in Michigan’s early lumber and shipping industries. Operating out of Grand Haven, she was part of a fleet that transported lumber from Michigan’s forests to industrial hubs like Chicago and Milwaukee, fueling urban growth during the mid-1800s.

Her routes likely included frequent crossings of Lake Michigan, carrying lumber from the sawmills along Michigan’s western shore to cities experiencing rapid expansion due to westward migration and industrial development.

Final Disposition

On September 28, 1853, while transporting a load of lumber, the TELEGRAPH encountered a violent storm on Lake Michigan. The storm drove her ashore north of Muskegon, near White Lake, an area known for treacherous shoals and unpredictable weather conditions. Despite efforts to save her, she was declared a Total Loss by mid-October, having broken apart in the surf.

The total estimated loss was around $5,200, a significant sum at the time, reflecting both the value of the Schooner and her cargo. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the wreck.

Resources & Links

• • Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• • Great Lakes Vessels Database
• • Great Lakes Maritime Database (GLMD)

Conclusion

The TELEGRAPH reflects the pioneer era of Great Lakes shipping, a time when schooners powered the economic development of Michigan and the Midwest. Her loss underscores the perils of 19th-century lake navigation, where storms could overwhelm even the most seasoned crews and well-built vessels. Although no lives were lost, the Schooner’s wreck serves as a reminder of the harsh conditions faced by those who worked the Great Lakes during their early commercial boom.