Identification & Site Information

• Name: Amazon
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 105252
• Date Built and Launched: 1873
• Builder: A.A. Turner, Trenton, Michigan
• Vessel Type: Wooden Propeller Freighter
• Hull Material: Wood
• Measurements:
• Length: 235 ft (71.6 m)
• Beam: 40 ft (12.2 m)
• Depth: 21 ft (6.4 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 1,406 tons
• Date Lost: October 29, 1879
• Place of Loss: Grand Haven Bar, Lake Michigan
• Lake: Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: None (all 68 aboard survived)
• Cargo at Time of Loss: 900 tons of freight, including 7,000 barrels of flour and general provisions

---

Vessel Type & Description

The Amazon was a wooden-hulled propeller-driven freighter, constructed in 1873 in Trenton, Michigan, by A.A. Turner. Designed for bulk freight transport, the vessel measured 235 feet in length, making her one of the larger wooden freighters of her time. She was owned by the Northwestern Transportation Company and originally hailed from Detroit, though later operated out of Grand Haven, Michigan.

A notable feature of the Amazon was her experimental Hull design, which included:

• Twin screws (propellers), providing enhanced maneuverability
• Two keels for additional stability
• Two Stern posts and two rudders—a rare configuration for ships of the time

This design aimed to improve handling and efficiency, particularly in rough conditions, but may have also contributed to structural vulnerabilities.

---

History

The Amazon had a troubled operational history, suffering multiple incidents before her final loss:

• November 4, 1873: Just months after her launch, she was wrecked in a storm on North Manitou Island, Lake Michigan. Declared a Total Loss, she was later recovered in the summer of 1874 by the wrecker Leviathan and returned to service.
• 1875: The vessel stranded near Presque Isle, Michigan, on Lake Huron, and was heavily Rebuilt after being salvaged.

Despite these setbacks, the Amazon remained in service, carrying bulk cargo such as flour, grain, and general provisions between Lake Michigan ports.

---

Final Voyage & Loss

On October 29, 1879, the Amazon was bound from Milwaukee to Grand Haven, Michigan, carrying 900 tons of freight, including 7,000 barrels of flour. As she approached Grand Haven, a severe gale battered the vessel.

Attempted Harbor Entry & Grounding

• The ship attempted to enter Grand Haven Harbor, but the storm conditions forced her briefly aground before she managed to free herself.
• On a second attempt, she struck the notorious Grand Haven Bar—a treacherous sandbar near the harbor entrance known for grounding many vessels.
• The impact caused catastrophic structural failure, and the Amazon broke apart, becoming a Total Loss.

Despite the severe conditions, all 68 people aboard survived. The vessel’s engines were later salvaged, but the Hull was destroyed by the storm.

---

Final Disposition

The Amazon was declared a Total Loss after breaking apart on the Grand Haven Bar. Her engines were later recovered, but the Hull was not salvageable.

Located By & Date Found:
There is no confirmed modern discovery of the Amazon’s wreck, though remains may be buried beneath shifting sands near Grand Haven Harbor.

NOTMARs & Advisories:
The Grand Haven Bar remains a known navigational hazard, and mariners should use caution when approaching Grand Haven Harbor, particularly in stormy conditions.

---

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

---

Conclusion

The Amazon was an early attempt at innovation in Great Lakes ship design, featuring twin screws, dual rudders, and an experimental Hull configuration. However, her short and troubled career suggests that these design features may have introduced structural weaknesses. Having wrecked twice before (in 1873 and 1875), she finally met her fate in 1879 at Grand Haven, when she broke apart on a sandbar during a storm. While all 68 aboard survived, the vessel was a Total Loss—a reminder of the dangers of Lake Michigan’s shifting bars and unpredictable weather.

---

Keywords:

Amazon, Grand Haven Shipwreck, Great Lakes Wooden Freighter, Lake Michigan Wrecks, Experimental Hull Design, Twin-Screw Vessel

Categories:

Great Lakes Freighters, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Disasters

Glossary Terms:

Sandbar Grounding, Twin-Screw Propeller, Total Loss, Wrecker Salvage, Gale-Driven Shipwreck