Identification & Site Information
- Name: Wings of the Wind
- Former Names: None
- Official Registration Number: None
- Date Built and Launched: Built in 1855 by Bidwell & Banta, Buffalo, New York
- Measurements: 130 ft (39.6 m) length; 370 tons
- Date Lost: May 12, 1866
- Place of Loss: 6 miles northeast of the mouth of the Chicago River, Lake Michigan
- Lake: Lake Michigan
Vessel Type
The Wings of the Wind was a wooden-hulled Schooner, a common cargo vessel on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century, designed primarily for transporting bulk goods like coal, lumber, and grain.
Description
Launched in 1855, the Wings of the Wind was a moderately sized Schooner typical of her era, designed for versatility and efficiency in transporting bulk cargo. Schooners were essential to the economic development of the Great Lakes region, providing an affordable and reliable means of shipping goods between rapidly growing port cities. In 1860, the Wings of the Wind underwent major repairs, suggesting she was a valuable asset and had seen significant service by that point.
History
Owned by Christie & Carce of Erie, Pennsylvania, and captained by John M. Gray, the Wings of the Wind was engaged in regular freight service, hauling coal and other bulk materials across the Great Lakes. On the night of May 12, 1866, while upbound on Lake Michigan and carrying a load of coal, the Schooner collided with the Bark H.P. Baldwin approximately six miles northeast of the Chicago River mouth.
Both vessels were upbound but on opposite tacks, meaning they were sailing at different angles to the wind, which created a dangerous situation in the dark. Neither crew spotted the other vessel in time to avoid the collision. The H.P. Baldwin, being significantly larger, struck the side of the Wings of the Wind, crushing her Hull. Despite the catastrophic damage, the Schooner’s crew managed to escape into the ship’s Yawl (a small boat used for emergencies) before the vessel sank.
Demonstrating the camaraderie and mutual aid common among Great Lakes mariners, the H.P. Baldwin turned around in the darkness and successfully located the Yawl, rescuing the crew of the Wings of the Wind. The quick actions of both crews prevented any reported loss of life in this incident.
Final Disposition
The Wings of the Wind sank in Lake Michigan following the collision with the H.P. Baldwin. There is no record of salvage or recovery efforts, and the wreck likely remains submerged northeast of Chicago.
Located By & Date Found
Nil return.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No specific navigational warnings or obstructions related to the wreck of the Wings of the Wind have been issued.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The Wings of the Wind serves as a reminder of the perils faced by Great Lakes mariners during the age of sail, particularly the dangers posed by nighttime navigation and crowded shipping lanes. Although the Schooner was lost, the successful rescue of her crew highlights the close-knit nature of the maritime community. The vessel’s sinking northeast of Chicago contributes to the rich tapestry of shipwreck history in Lake Michigan, where many similar schooners met their fate.
Suggested Keywords: Wings of the Wind, Lake Michigan schooner, Chicago shipwrecks, Great Lakes coal transport, maritime collisions, H.P. Baldwin.
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Wooden Schooners of the Great Lakes.
Glossary Terms: Schooner, Bark, Yawl, Collision at Sea, Great Lakes Coal Transport.
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