Identification & Site Information
- Name: Windsor
- Former Names: None
- Official Registration Number: 62523
- Date Built and Launched: Built in 1856 by Dean or J.A. Jenkins in Detroit, Michigan, originally as a paddle ferry
- Measurements: Length: 115 ft (35.1 m) Beam: 30 ft (9.1 m) Depth: 9 ft (2.7 m)
- Gross Tonnage: 238 tons
- Net Tonnage: 226 tons
- Date Lost: October 1, 1893
- Place of Loss: Near Cana Island, Green Bay, Lake Michigan
- Lake: Lake Michigan
Vessel Type
Originally constructed as a paddle ferry, the Windsor was later converted into a wooden schooner-barge for bulk freight transport, reflecting a common practice of re-purposing older vessels to extend their operational life.
The Windsor began her career as a Detroit River ferry, operating in the busy shipping lanes between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. Following a devastating fire in 1866, the vessel was Rebuilt and repurposed as a schooner-barge—a type of vessel typically towed by steam tugs and used for transporting bulk goods such as timber, coal, and other heavy cargo.
History
One of the most significant incidents in the Windsor’s history occurred on April 26, 1866, when she was still serving as a paddle ferry. A fire broke out at the Detroit and Milwaukee riverside railroad terminal, reportedly triggered by the explosion of a barrel of naptha (a highly flammable liquid). The Windsor was docked nearby and quickly became engulfed in flames. Efforts to prevent the fire from spreading were led by the Steamer Detroit, which bravely pushed the burning Windsor out into the Detroit River to contain the blaze and protect adjacent docks and vessels.
The fire resulted in the loss of 28 to 30 lives, making it one of the most tragic maritime disasters in Detroit’s history. After the fire, the Windsor was considered a Total Loss, but the Hull was later salvaged and Rebuilt, transitioning her from a Ferry into a schooner-barge for bulk freight.
Following the fire, the Windsor was extensively Rebuilt and converted into a schooner-barge. This transformation allowed her to continue serving on the Great Lakes for several more decades, hauling bulk freight such as timber and telegraph poles.
On October 1, 1893, while carrying telegraph poles bound for Chicago, the Windsor encountered a severe storm on Lake Michigan near Cana Island in Green Bay. During the storm, the vessel sprang a leak. In an attempt to save the ship, Captain David Williams, who also owned the vessel, tried to run her aground to prevent her from sinking in deeper waters.
Unfortunately, the Windsor struck a rocky reef near Cana Island and capsized. The situation quickly deteriorated, but most of the crew was rescued by the Sturgeon Bay Life-Saving Station. Despite these rescue efforts, one crew member perished in the incident. The vessel was declared a Total Loss following the capsizing.
Loss of Life
- 1866 Fire: 28-30 lives lost in the Detroit River Ferry fire.
- 1893 Storm: 1 life lost when the vessel capsized off Cana Island.
Final Disposition
The Windsor was declared a Total Loss after capsizing on October 1, 1893 near Cana Island, Lake Michigan. The wreck remains submerged near the reef, with no significant salvage operations recorded after her final sinking.
Located By & Date Found
Nil return.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No specific navigational warnings or obstructions related to the Windsor have been issued, though Cana Island and the surrounding reefs remain hazardous for mariners.
Resources & Links
Conclusion
The Windsor had a long and eventful career on the Great Lakes, transitioning from a Detroit River paddle Ferry to a Schooner-Barge hauling bulk freight. Her story reflects the adaptability of Great Lakes vessels in the 19th century, often repurposed after disasters to continue serving the booming regional economy. The tragic 1866 fire in Detroit, with its significant loss of life, and her final capsizing in 1893 underscore the constant dangers faced by mariners and vessels during this period. The Windsor‘s history serves as a sobering reminder of the perils of early Great Lakes navigation, both from industrial accidents and the region’s infamous storms.
Suggested Keywords: Windsor, Cana Island shipwrecks, Lake Michigan Schooner-barges, Detroit River Ferry disasters, Great Lakes telegraph pole transport, Sturgeon Bay Life-Saving Station.
Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Wooden Schooner-Barges, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Ferry History.
Glossary Terms: Schooner-Barge, Paddle Ferry, Capsizing, Telegraph Pole Cargo, Cana Island Reef.
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