Identification & Site Information

• Name: Margaret Allen
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: None
• Date Built and Launched: 1844
• Builder: Chicago, Illinois
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner, 2-Mast
• Hull Material: Wood
• Measurements: Length: 80 ft (24.4 m) Beam: 19 ft (5.8 m) Depth: 7 ft (2.1 m)
• Tonnage: 89 tons
• Date Lost: November 21, 1847
• Place of Loss: Near Death’s Door Passage, Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: All hands lost
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Unknown

Vessel Type

Two-masted wooden Schooner, typical of mid-19th century Great Lakes vessels designed for cargo transport, involved in the timber, grain, or general freight trade.

Description

The Margaret Allen was a modest-sized wooden Schooner built in 1844 in Chicago, measuring 80 feet (24.4 m) in length with a beam of 19 feet (5.8 m) and a depth of 7 feet (2.1 m). With a tonnage of 89, she was used for carrying bulk goods as lumber, grain, or coal, common cargoes on the Great Lakes during this period.

Owned by J.P. Allen of Chicago, the Schooner represented the growing fleet of merchant vessels supporting Chicago’s burgeoning economy in the mid-19th century. The vessel’s size suggests she was suited for regional trade, navigating between smaller ports along the lakes.

History

The Margaret Allen operated during a time when schooners were the workhorses of the Great Lakes, moving goods between ports across Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, and Lake Erie. Schooners like the Margaret Allen were favored for their maneuverability, cargo capacity, and relatively low operational costs compared to steam-powered vessels of the time.

Final Voyage and Loss

On November 21, 1847, the Margaret Allen encountered a severe gale near Death’s Door Passage, a notoriously dangerous stretch of water at the tip of the Door Peninsula in Wisconsin, where Lake Michigan meets Green Bay. The passage earned its ominous name from the multiple shipwrecks and fatalities that occurred there due to treacherous currents, shoals, and sudden storms.

Tragically, the Margaret Allen was wrecked in the storm, resulting in the loss of all hands aboard. The exact number of crew members lost is not specified in historical records. The conditions were so severe that another vessel owned by J.P. Allen, the Schooner Bolivar, was also reported wrecked on the same day.

Final Disposition

The Margaret Allen was declared a Total Loss after wrecking near Death’s Door. No records show that salvage or recovery efforts were undertaken, which was common for shipwrecks of this era, especially given the treacherous location and technological limitations of the time.

Located By & Date Found:

There is no confirmed modern discovery of the Margaret Allen’s wreck site, Death’s Door Passage is a well-known shipwreck area, and future underwater archaeological efforts may uncover more about the vessel’s final resting place.

NOTMARs & Advisories:

Death’s Door Passage remains a navigational hazard with strong currents, rocky shoals, and unpredictable weather conditions. Mariners are advised to exercise caution when navigating the area.

Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database – BGSU
• Wisconsin Shipwrecks
• Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy

Conclusion

The Margaret Allen‘s tragic loss near Death’s Door in 1847 underscores the perils faced by sailors on the Great Lakes in the mid-19th century. As a Schooner built in Chicago during the city’s early rise as a commercial hub, her story reflects both the ambition and the risks of maritime commerce during this period. The simultaneous loss of her sister ship, the Bolivar, highlights the dangers of navigating the lakes during storm season, particularly in infamously hazardous areas like Death’s Door Passage.

Keywords: Margaret Allen, Schooner, Death’s Door Passage, Lake Michigan Shipwreck, Great Lakes Maritime History, 19th Century Shipwreck
Categories: Great Lakes Schooners, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Maritime Tragedies
Glossary Terms: Gale, Total Loss, All Hands Lost, Death’s Door Passage, Two-Masted Schooner