Identification & Site Information

• Name: Alwilda (also seen as Alwildar)
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: None
• Date Built and Launched: Before 1854 (Sandusky, Ohio?)
• Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
• Hull Material: Wood
• Measurements: Tonnage: 75 tons
• Date Lost: October 18, 1857
• Place of Loss: Big Sable Point, Lake Michigan
• Lake: Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Light (no significant cargo)

Vessel Type

The Alwilda was a wooden Schooner, a versatile vessel type that dominated Great Lakes shipping in the mid-19th century. Schooners were primarily used for carrying bulk cargo such as grain, timber, and coal, though the Alwilda was reportedly light (not carrying significant cargo) at the time of her loss.

Description:

Built before 1854, in Sandusky, Ohio, the Alwilda was a modest-sized Schooner with a tonnage of 75. The vessel operated out of Buffalo, New York, a major hub for Great Lakes commerce, and was actively involved in trade routes between Chicago and smaller ports like Dean’s Mills near Two Rivers, Wisconsin.

The Alwilda had sustained fire damage in October 1854, resulting in $2,500 worth of losses—a significant sum at the time. Despite this, she was evidently repaired and returned to service, continuing operations until her final loss in 1857.

History

The Alwilda participated in the bustling maritime trade that connected cities like Chicago and Buffalo to smaller ports along Lake Michigan and beyond. This period saw rapid expansion in Midwestern agriculture, timber, and industrial shipping, and schooners like the Alwilda were central to this growth.

Final Voyage and Loss

On October 18, 1857, while en route from Chicago to Dean’s Mills near Two Rivers, Wisconsin, the Alwilda encountered a blizzard and gale near Big Sable Point on Lake Michigan. The vessel sprang a leak during the storm, leaving the crew in a precarious situation. To prevent sinking and save the crew, the Alwilda was run aground onto the beach near Big Sable Point.

Upon grounding, the vessel immediately broke her back (a term indicating catastrophic structural failure, typically involving the Hull splitting or collapsing amidships). The Schooner later went to pieces, scattered by the relentless force of the waves and wind.

Crew Survival

Despite the destruction of the vessel, the crew survived the ordeal. They sought refuge in an Abandoned cabin near the wreck site. Coincidentally, this same cabin was occupied by crew members from the Canadian Steamer Reindeer, which had also wrecked in the vicinity. The shared sheltering of both crews highlights the dangerous conditions that plagued sailors on the Great Lakes during this period and the camaraderie and survival instincts that were often necessary in maritime disasters.

The Reindeer Wreck:
The Canadian Steamer Reindeer was another casualty of the same storm that claimed the Alwilda, underscoring the severity of the weather along Lake Michigan’s treacherous shores. Big Sable Point, with its shifting sands and frequent storms, has been the site of numerous shipwrecks throughout Great Lakes history.

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Final Disposition:
The Alwilda was completely destroyed after grounding at Big Sable Point. The vessel broke apart and went to pieces, leaving no recoverable structure. There is no record of salvage attempts, and any remnants would likely have been dispersed or buried in the shifting sands of the area.

Located By & Date Found:
There is no confirmed modern discovery of the Alwilda‘s wreck. Big Sable Point is a known shipwreck site, and the remains may exist among other unidentified wrecks in the area.

NOTMARs & Advisories:
Big Sable Point remains a navigational hazard due to shallow waters, sandbars, and frequent storms. Mariners should exercise caution in this area and consult updated nautical charts.

Resources & Links:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Vessels Database – BGSU
• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association
• Edward J. Dowling Collection, University of Detroit – Mercy

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Conclusion

The Alwilda‘s loss at Big Sable Point in 1857 highlights the perils of Great Lakes navigation during the mid-19th century. Schooners like the Alwilda were essential to the economic development of the region, yet they were highly vulnerable to the sudden storms and treacherous shorelines of Lake Michigan. The survival of her crew, who sought refuge alongside the wrecked crew of the Steamer Reindeer, illustrates the harsh realities faced by mariners and the resilience required to endure such conditions. Though her physical remains are lost to history, the Alwilda remains part of the rich maritime legacy of the Great Lakes.

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Keywords: Alwilda, Big Sable Point Shipwreck, Lake Michigan Schooner, Maritime Storm, Great Lakes Shipwrecks
Categories: Great Lakes Schooners, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Disasters
Glossary Terms: Broke Her Back, Run Aground, Blizzard-Gale, Total Loss, Maritime Survival