Identification & Site Information

• Name: ADVANCE
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 105102
• Type at Loss: Wooden Lighter-Barge
• Date Built and Launched: 1871
• Builder: A. A. Turner, Trenton, Michigan
• Original Type: 2-mast schooner
• Measurements Length: 139 ft (42.37 m) Beam: 29 ft (8.84 m) Depth: 11 ft (3.35 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 367 tons
• Net Tonnage: 348 tons
• Date Lost: October 19, 1921
• Place of Loss: Sand Bay, Wisconsin
• Lake: Lake Michigan

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Vessel Type

Originally constructed as a 2-mast wooden schooner, later converted to a barge in 1911 and subsequently outfitted as a Lighter (a vessel used for transferring cargo between ships and shore).

Description

The ADVANCE was launched in 1871 as a two-mast schooner built by A. A. Turner in Trenton, Michigan. Measuring 139 feet in length and with a beam of 29 feet, she was a sizable vessel designed for the bulk cargo trade on the Great Lakes. The Schooner was reconfigured in 1911, transitioning from sail power to serve as a Barge. Later, she was outfitted as a Lighter, equipped with specialized lightering gear, including two derricks, for the purpose of offloading cargo from larger vessels unable to dock at shallow ports. This adaptation extended her service life well into the early 20th century.

History

The ADVANCE enjoyed a 50-year career on the Great Lakes, transitioning from sail to Barge operations, a common path for aging schooners as steam and motor vessels became dominant. Owned by the Leathem D. Smith Company of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, the vessel was actively employed in lightering operations—transferring cargo, particularly coal, from large freighters to shore facilities or smaller ships.

On October 19, 1921, the ADVANCE was assisting in the lightering of the stranded Steamer FRANK BILLINGS near Sand Bay, Wisconsin. While engaged in this operation, a storm swept through the area, catching the Barge and making conditions untenable. The Tug responsible for towing the ADVANCE Abandoned her to the worsening weather, leaving the Barge adrift. The U.S. Coast Guard intervened, rescuing the crew just before the vessel struck the shoreline.

The ADVANCE was heavily damaged when her Hull smashed against the rocks at Sand Bay. After evaluating the damage, it was determined that repairs were not feasible, and the vessel was officially Abandoned in 1922. This marked the end of a long and varied service life, typical of many wooden schooners repurposed during the transition from sail to steam.

Final Disposition

Heavily damaged after grounding at Sand Bay, Wisconsin; officially Abandoned in 1922.

Located By & Date Found

Nil (No records available confirming the precise discovery or documentation of the wreck site).

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil (No navigational obstructions or official maritime advisories reported at this location related to the wreck).

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Ships Database – Bowling Green State University
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Great Lakes Shipwreck File
• Save Ontario Shipwrecks

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Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: ADVANCE Lighter-Barge, Sand Bay shipwreck, Lake Michigan Barge wreck, Schooner-to-Barge Conversion, Great Lakes lightering vessels
• Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Wooden Barges of the Great Lakes, Maritime Disasters in Wisconsin Waters, Converted Schooners
• Glossary Terms:
• Lighter: A flat-bottomed Barge used to transfer cargo between ships and shore, especially in ports where larger vessels cannot dock.
• Lightering Gear: Equipment, including derricks or cranes, used for transferring cargo from one vessel to another.
• Abandoned: Official maritime term indicating that a vessel has been declared a Total Loss and left to deteriorate or sink.

Conclusion

The ADVANCE exemplifies the adaptability and longevity of 19th-century Great Lakes schooners, which were often repurposed to meet the evolving demands of maritime commerce. Her final chapter, assisting the FRANK BILLINGS before succumbing to a violent storm, highlights the perils of lightering work and the harsh conditions faced by mariners on Lake Michigan.