ACTIVE (1869, Schooner)

Identification & Site Information:

• Vessel Name: ACTIVE
• Official Number: 105087
• Type: Schooner, Wood, 2-Mast
• Year Built: 1869
• Builder: Martin Olson
• Build Location: Sheboygan, Wisconsin
• Specifications: Length: 69 ft (21 m) Beam: 17 ft (5.2 m) Depth: 6 ft (1.8 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 51 tons

Vessel Type Description:

The ACTIVE was a modest-sized, two-masted wooden schooner typical of the late 19th century Great Lakes fleet. Designed for versatility, vessels like ACTIVE were essential to the regional economy, transporting agricultural products, timber, and other bulk goods between ports on Lakes Michigan and Superior. With its relatively small size and shallow Draft, ACTIVE could navigate smaller harbors and rivers, making it a key player in local maritime trade.

History: Launched in 1869 from Sheboygan, Wisconsin, the ACTIVE served for nearly three decades, navigating the often-treacherous waters of Lake Michigan. Owned and operated by local traders, the Schooner was primarily used for transporting agricultural goods such as hay, grain, and timber from rural communities to larger ports where they could be distributed further inland or shipped eastward.

Final Voyage & Disposition:

On September 29, 1898, the ACTIVE met her unfortunate end just off Ford River, Wisconsin. While en route from Sister Bay to Ford River with a cargo of 40 tons of hay, the Schooner’s captain mistakenly identified the lights of a home onshore as the pier light. This navigational error led the vessel to run aground two miles south of the intended pier.

Despite efforts to salvage the vessel, the ACTIVE became firmly lodged in the shallows. Soon after, the relentless forces of wind and waves broke her apart. Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident, though the Schooner was declared a Total Loss.

Final Location:

• Location: Just off Ford River, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan
• Date of Loss: September 29, 1898
• Final Cargo: 40 tons of hay
• Loss of Life: None
• Located By: No specific recovery or discovery efforts have been documented.
• Date Found: The remains of ACTIVE have not been conclusively identified or located.

Notices to Mariners & Advisories:

• NOTMARs: No current notices issued for the wreck site of the ACTIVE.
• Advisories: Navigators in the vicinity of Ford River, Wisconsin, should remain aware of potential submerged hazards from historical shipwrecks in the area.

Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Wisconsin Shipwrecks

Conclusion:

The ACTIVE is a representative story of many smaller schooners that navigated the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Though not as large or famous as some of her contemporaries, the vessel played a crucial role in supporting the agricultural economy of the Lake Michigan region. Her loss, a result of a simple navigational mistake, highlights the challenges faced by mariners relying on rudimentary visual cues in an era before advanced navigational technology. Today, her story is a reminder of the countless unsung vessels that contributed to the economic growth and maritime heritage of the Great Lakes.

Keywords: ACTIVE Schooner, Lake Michigan shipwrecks, Ford River maritime history, Wisconsin shipwrecks, 19th-century schooners, Great Lakes maritime commerce, Sheboygan shipbuilding, Martin Olson Schooner builder, hay transport Schooner, agricultural shipping Great Lakes.