Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: TEMPERANCE
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: None
• Type at Loss: Schooner, Wood
• Builder: Randall, St. Joseph, Michigan
• Year Built: 1848
• Specifications: Length: 109 ft (33.22 m) Beam: 22 ft (6.71 m) Depth: 7 ft (2.13 m)
• Tonnage: 147 tonnage (Old Style)
• Date Lost: April 2, 1857
• Cause: Storm (Gale)
• Place of Loss: Off Racine, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan
• Cargo: Lumber

Vessel Type

The TEMPERANCE was a wooden-hulled Schooner, typical of the mid-19th century Great Lakes sailing vessels. Schooners like the TEMPERANCE were favored for their ability to efficiently carry bulk cargoes such as lumber, coal, and grain across the often unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes.

Description

Measuring 109 feet in length, with a 22-foot beam and a 7-foot Draft, the TEMPERANCE was designed for both capacity and maneuverability. She operated with a traditional Schooner rig, allowing for easier handling with a small crew—a critical feature for commercial shipping in the mid-1800s.

Constructed in 1848 by Randall in St. Joseph, Michigan, she was likely part of the bustling lumber trade that dominated Lake Michigan during this period. Her wooden Hull would have been reinforced for the rigors of Great Lakes navigation, though still vulnerable to the powerful storms that frequently swept across the lakes.

History

Launched in 1848, the TEMPERANCE served nearly a decade as a hardworking cargo Schooner, primarily transporting lumber along the western shore of Lake Michigan. Her career reflects the importance of schooners in the Great Lakes lumber boom of the mid-19th century, when ports like Chicago, Milwaukee, and Racine became major hubs for timber shipments.

She was regularly towed by steam tugs when navigating challenging harbor approaches—a common practice to save time and avoid mishaps near piers and breakwaters. By January 1857, she was still actively registered, indicating continued use in commercial service.

Final Disposition

On April 2, 1857, the TEMPERANCE encountered a powerful gale off the coast of Racine, Wisconsin. While under tow by the Tug McQUEEN, she broke free from her Towline amidst the fierce winds and heavy seas. Unable to regain control, she drifted uncontrollably and eventually beached north of Racine. nDespite efforts to secure the vessel, the relentless pounding of the surf quickly overwhelmed her structure. The Schooner began to break apart, becoming a Total Loss. Fortunately, no lives were lost, as the crew managed to evacuate safely. While records indicate she was lost in 1857, some sources suggest the TEMPERANCE may have survived longer, potentially being wrecked again in 1867. This could be due to confusion with another vessel of the same name or inaccurate reporting at the time.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Wisconsin Maritime Museum
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Research
• Library and Archives Canada
• David Swayze Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The TEMPERANCE represents the resilience and risks faced by 19th-century schooners navigating the Great Lakes. Although she served diligently for nearly a decade, her fate was sealed by the very forces that shaped the Great Lakes maritime industry—unpredictable storms and fierce gales.

Her story underscores the challenges of towing operations during severe weather, and while her wreck has not been formally rediscovered, the TEMPERANCE remains part of the rich maritime history off the shores of Racine, Wisconsin.