Schooner LEWIS LUDINGTON

Identification & Site Information

• Name: LEWIS LUDINGTON
• Official Number: 14804
• Type: Schooner, Wood, 2-Mast
• Build Year: 1854
• Builder: Gilson
• Build Location: Sheboygan, Wisconsin
• Home Port (Initial): Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Specifications: Length: 108 ft (32.9 m) Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m) Depth: 8 ft (2.4 m)
• Tonnage (Old Style): 234 tons

Vessel Type Description

The LEWIS LUDINGTON was a two-masted wooden Schooner, typical of vessels plying the Great Lakes in the mid-19th century. Designed for transporting bulk commodities like lumber, grain, coal, and other goods essential to the Midwest economy, schooners of this size were agile and versatile. Their shallow drafts allowed them to access smaller ports and navigate the intricate waterways connecting the lakes.

History

The LEWIS LUDINGTON had a long and eventful career spanning over four decades, illustrating the challenges of maritime commerce on the Great Lakes. Operating out of major ports like Milwaukee and Chicago, the Schooner experienced multiple mishaps, including dismastings and collisions, but was repeatedly repaired and returned to service.

Chronological Highlights:

•  1854-1857: Early Service The LEWIS LUDINGTON was enrolled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, shortly after its launch in 1854. During this period, she was engaged in the grain and lumber trade, both of which were booming industries in the region.
• 1860: Dismasted on Lake Erie On November 14, 1860, the Schooner was dismasted off Point Pelee on Lake Erie during a fierce storm. The LEWIS LUDINGTON was subsequently towed to Milwaukee by the propeller PLYMOUTH, showcasing the interconnected nature of shipping on the Great Lakes. Source: Buffalo Daily Republic, November 13, 1860
• 1861: Collision on the Detroit River In December 1861, the vessel was involved in a collision with the Schooner LIVE YANKEE in the Detroit River near Malden, Ontario. The LEWIS LUDINGTON sustained damage to her mainsail, while LIVE YANKEE lost her bobstays and other headgear. Both ships returned to Malden for repairs Source: Detroit Tribune, Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, December 3, 1861
• 1863-1866: Ownership Changes & Repair By 1863, ownership had transferred to William Porter of Milwaukee, and the vessel was measured at 157 gross tonsafter modifications. In 1866, the Schooner was sold to McMullen of Chicago, reflecting its integration into the growing Chicago maritime trade network.
• 1868-1875: Major Repairs and Rebuild The Schooner underwent large repairs in 1868, maintaining her tonnage at 157.34 gross tons. Further repairs followed in 1874, and in 1875, she was Rebuilt at Fish Creek, Wisconsin, demonstrating her continued value despite aging.
• 1876-1895: Final Year In 1876, the vessel was owned by Sellick of Kenosha, Wisconsin, and continued active service for nearly two more decades. The LEWIS LUDINGTON was lost in 1895, ending over 40 years of service on the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition

The LEWIS LUDINGTON was lost in 1895, though the exact circumstances of her sinking are not specified in the historical record. Given the vessel’s age and history of extensive repairs, it is plausible that she succumbed to structural failure, a storm, or a navigational mishap. The location of her final resting place remains unknown.

Located By & Date Found

Located By: No known discovery of the wreck.

Date Found: The wreck site has not been identified.

Notices to Mariners & Advisories

NOTMARs: None currently issued for this vessel.

Advisories: No specific advisories, though vessels navigating historical wreck areas in the Detroit River and Lake Erie should be aware of underwater obstructions.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes – Historical records on Great Lakes vessels and shipwrecks.
• Great Lakes Ships Database – Database containing detailed information on vessels like the LEWIS LUDINGTON.
• David Swayze Shipwreck File – Comprehensive listing of Great Lakes shipwrecks and maritime incidents.
• Buffalo & Erie County Public Library – Historical newspaper archives documenting maritime events in the Great Lakes region.

Conclusion

The Schooner LEWIS LUDINGTON embodies the resilience and perils of 19th-century Great Lakes maritime commerce. From her dismasting on Lake Erie to collisions in the Detroit River, she faced numerous challenges throughout her career. Despite multiple repairs and ownership changes, the Schooner remained in service for over 40 years, contributing to the economic growth of cities like Milwaukee, Chicago, and Kenosha. Her eventual loss in 1895 marked the end of a vessel that had weathered both literal and figurative storms on the inland seas.

Keywords

Great Lakes Shipwrecks, LEWIS LUDINGTON, Lake Erie Dismasting, Milwaukee Schooners, Detroit River Collisions, 19th-Century Great Lakes Commerce, Point au Pelee Maritime History, Fish Creek Shipyards, Chicago Maritime Trade, Kenosha Shipping History.