Identification & Site Information

• Name: Chandler J. Wells
• Former Names: None documented
• Official Number: 4274
• Date Built and Launched: 1866
• Builder: Quayle & Martin, Cleveland, Ohio (originally built as a bark)
• Specifications: Length: 175 ft (53.34 m) Beam (Width): 33 ft (10.06 m) Depth of Hold: 13 ft (3.96 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 549 tons
• Net Tonnage: 521 tons
• Date Lost: November 20, 1884
• Place of Loss: Whiskey Island Reef, near the Beaver Islands, Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Navigational error leading to grounding and subsequent breakup in a storm
• Loss of Life: None of the 8 crew members
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Lumber
• Registration: Port Huron, Michigan

Vessel Type

The Chandler J. Wells was a three-masted wooden Schooner, originally constructed as a Bark before being converted for more efficient Schooner rigging. Vessels like this were workhorses of the Great Lakes during the late 19th century, primarily used to haul bulk cargo—especially lumber, which was in high demand for the booming construction industries of cities like Chicago, Buffalo, and Detroit.

Description

Built in 1866 by Quayle & Martin of Cleveland, Ohio, the Chandler J. Wells was a substantial vessel, measuring 175 feet in length with a 33-foot beam and a 13-foot depth of hold. With a Gross Tonnage of 549 tons, she was designed for heavy freight, capable of carrying significant cargo loads across the Great Lakes.

Initially constructed as a bark—a sailing vessel with square sails on the foremast and Fore-and-Aft Sails on the others—she was later re-rigged as a Schooner, likely to improve efficiency in handling, especially when operated with smaller crews. This was a common modification for Great Lakes vessels as maritime technology and trade demands evolved.

Her strong, wooden Hull was built to withstand the rigors of Great Lakes shipping, though like many vessels of her time, she was vulnerable to the treacherous shoals, reefs, and sudden storms that frequently plagued the region.

Operational History

The Chandler J. Wells was part of the lumber trade network, making regular voyages between ports like Manistique, Michigan—a major lumber-producing center—and Tonawanda, New York, near Buffalo, where lumber was processed and distributed to Eastern markets.

Registered in Port Huron, Michigan, she operated primarily in Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and connecting waterways. Schooners like the Chandler J. Wells were often towed by steamers to conserve fuel and navigate more efficiently through congested or hazardous areas, as was the case on her final voyage.

Final Voyage and Loss

On November 20, 1884, the Chandler J. Wells was under tow by the Steamer Keystone while navigating the waters near the Beaver Islands in northern Lake Michigan. This region, filled with rocky outcroppings and treacherous reefs, was notorious for shipwrecks, especially in poor Visibility conditions.

While attempting to “pick her way” through the islands in the dark, a navigational error caused the vessel to run aground on Whiskey Island Reef. Despite the grounding, the crew remained aboard to monitor the situation. However, between November 24 and 25, a powerful storm swept through the area, battering the stranded vessel with fierce waves and strong winds.

The Schooner’s Hull, already compromised from the grounding, could not withstand the storm’s force and broke apart, resulting in a Total Loss. Two crew members who had been left aboard as watchmen during the storm barely survived, enduring harsh conditions before being rescued.

Final Disposition

Although there were initial attempts to salvage the Chandler J. Wells, she was officially declared a Total Loss in June 1885, approximately six months after the wreck. The vessel’s remains likely remained scattered around Whiskey Island Reef, with parts possibly salvaged for materials, as was common practice at the time.

Located By & Date Found

Nil – There are no confirmed records of the wreck being definitively located, although given the area’s popularity with divers and maritime historians, some remnants may still exist near Whiskey Island Reef in northern Lake Michigan.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Whiskey Island Reef remains a navigational hazard in Lake Michigan, marked on nautical charts due to the presence of submerged rocks and shallow waters.  Mariners are advised to exercise caution when navigating through the Beaver Island Archipelago, especially in poor Visibility or rough weather.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU)
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Beaver Island Historical Society
• Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

Keywords: Chandler J. Wells, Schooner, Whiskey Island Reef, Beaver Islands shipwreck, Lake Michigan maritime history, lumber schooner, Keystone Steamer tow 

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Lumber Schooners, Navigational Error Wrecks

• Glossary Terms:

• Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, rigged fore-and-aft, commonly used for bulk cargo transport on the Great Lakes.
• Bark: A sailing vessel with three or more masts, with square sails on the foremast and Fore-and-Aft Sails on the others.
• Grounding: When a vessel runs aground on a reef, sandbar, or other submerged obstacle, often leading to Hull damage.
• Watchmen: Crew members assigned to remain on board a stranded or damaged vessel to guard the ship and monitor its condition.
• Total Loss: A maritime term indicating that a vessel has sustained damage beyond economical repair.

Conclusion

The Chandler J. Wells was a testament to the resilience of Great Lakes schooners during the peak of the lumber trade in the late 19th century. Her tragic loss in 1884 near the Beaver Islands underscores the dangers faced by mariners navigating through the Great Lakes’ hazardous reefs and unpredictable weather. Despite surviving multiple days after grounding, the vessel ultimately succumbed to a fierce storm, marking the end of nearly two decades of service. Her story remains part of the rich maritime history of Lake Michigan, where countless ships met similar fates in pursuit of commerce and progress.