Identification & Site Information

• Name: C. J. HUTCHINSON
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 4360
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood-hulled, 2-mast (originally built as a Brig)
• Date Built and Launched: 1846
• Builder: Samuel Farmin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
• Measurements: 136 ft (41.5 m) length, 26 ft (7.9 m) beam, 10 ft (3 m) depth; 254 gross tons
• Date Lost: November 12, 1871
• Place of Loss: Kenosha, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden Two-Masted Schooner (originally built as a Brig)

Description

The C. J. HUTCHINSON was a wooden Brig built in 1846 by Samuel Farmin in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Originally constructed with two square-rigged masts, the vessel was later converted to a Schooner after 1865 to adapt to the evolving demands of Great Lakes shipping. This Conversion allowed for more efficient handling and better performance in the often variable winds of the Great Lakes. At 136 feet in length and 254 gross tons, the vessel was a sizable ship for her time, designed to carry bulk cargoes such as supplies and agricultural products.

History

The C. J. HUTCHINSON operated primarily on Lake Michigan, serving ports between Green Bay and Chicago. By the time of her loss, she was owned by Nelson Ludington, a prominent figure in the lumber and shipping industries. The vessel’s regular cargo included supplies and other bulk goods, reflecting her role in supporting the commercial networks that connected the agricultural and industrial centers of the Midwest.

On November 12, 1871, while en route from Green Bay to Chicago, the C. J. HUTCHINSON attempted to put into Kenosha, Wisconsin, to pick up a load of hay. However, the vessel encountered a storm as she approached the harbor. In the rough conditions, she struck the pier and was spun around by the waves, which caused her to break her back—a catastrophic structural failure where the Keel and Hull split, rendering the vessel unsalvageable.

The Tug UNION was dispatched from Chicago to assist, but bad weather delayed its arrival. By the time the Tug reached Kenosha, the C. J. HUTCHINSON was already breaking up in the surf. Despite the destruction of the vessel, there were no reports of loss of life.

Final Disposition

Struck the pier and was spun around by waves, resulting in a broken back and subsequent breakup at Kenosha, Lake Michigan, on November 12, 1871. The vessel was a Total Loss, but no lives were lost.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—no confirmed reports of the C. J. HUTCHINSON wreck being located.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the C. J. HUTCHINSON wreck site near Kenosha, Lake Michigan.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• Wisconsin Historical Society Maritime Collection
• David Swayze Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The C. J. HUTCHINSON‘s loss in 1871 underscores the dangers of navigating the Great Lakes during periods of stormy weather. Originally built as a Brig in 1846 and later converted to a Schooner, the vessel served as an essential part of the Midwestern shipping network, transporting supplies and agricultural products between key ports. Her destruction at Kenosha highlights the perils faced by mariners, especially when attempting to enter harbors during adverse conditions. While the crew survived, the vessel’s fate reflects the broader story of the many ships lost to the unpredictable waters of Lake Michigan.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: C. J. HUTCHINSON Schooner shipwreck, Kenosha Lake Michigan shipwreck, Milwaukee Brig Conversion, Nelson Ludington shipping fleet, Great Lakes storm shipwrecks
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, Brig-to-Schooner Conversions, 19th Century Maritime Losses
• Glossary Terms:
• Break Her Back: A term used to describe a severe structural failure where a vessel’s Hull and Keel split, often leading to a Total Loss.
• Brig: A two-masted sailing vessel with square rigging on both masts, commonly used in the 18th and 19th centuries.
• Schooner Conversion: The process of modifying a square-rigged Brig into a Schooner, which features fore-and-aft rigging for easier handling on the Great Lakes.