Identification & Site Information

• Name: HURRICANE (sometimes spelled HURRICAINE)
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: None
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood-hulled
• Date Built and Launched: 1854
• Builder: Wicks, Buffalo, New York
• Measurements: 120 ft (36.6 m) length, 26 ft (7.9 m) beam, 11 ft (3.4 m) depth; approximately 300 tons
• Date Lost: November 23, 1860
• Place of Loss: 8 miles north of St. Joseph, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden Schooner

Description

The HURRICANE was a wooden Schooner built in 1854 by Wicks in Buffalo, New York. At 120 feet in length and approximately 300 tons, she was a typical mid-19th century Great Lakes cargo vessel, designed to transport bulk agricultural products and other freight between the major ports of the Great Lakes. Schooners like the HURRICANE were the backbone of maritime commerce during this period, capitalizing on the prevailing winds and relatively efficient design to move goods quickly and economically.

History

Owned by Sears & Clark of Buffalo, New York, the HURRICANE regularly sailed between Chicago and Buffalo, carrying agricultural goods to the East and manufactured products to the rapidly growing Midwest. On her final voyage, the vessel was carrying 14,000 bushels of rye, a significant load, bound for Buffalo from Chicago.

On November 23, 1860, the HURRICANE encountered a gale that swept across the Great Lakes, wreaking havoc on maritime traffic. The storm was one of the most destructive of the era, reportedly damaging or destroying over 60 vessels across the lakes. The HURRICANE was driven ashore and ultimately wrecked 8 miles north of St. Joseph, Michigan.

Tragically, all nine crew members aboard the vessel were lost, including the ship’s master, Captain William Webb (or possibly Welsh, as historical records vary). The storm’s severity and the Schooner’s heavy load likely contributed to her inability to withstand the extreme weather conditions.

Final Disposition

Driven ashore and wrecked in a gale 8 miles north of St. Joseph, Michigan, on November 23, 1860. The vessel was a Total Loss, with all nine crew members perishing in the incident.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—no confirmed reports of the HURRICANE wreck being located.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories related to the HURRICANE wreck site near St. Joseph, Lake Michigan.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association

Conclusion

The HURRICANE‘s loss in 1860 is a stark reminder of the perils faced by mariners on the Great Lakes during the age of sail. Built in Buffalo and operating between Chicago and Buffalo, the vessel was part of the essential maritime infrastructure that connected the agricultural heartland of the Midwest with the industrial centers of the East. The gale that claimed the HURRICANE and over 60 other vessels underscores the unpredictability and power of Great Lakes storms, which could turn routine voyages into deadly disasters. The complete loss of her crew reflects the often unforgiving nature of 19th-century shipping, where safety measures were limited, and survival depended heavily on weather conditions and the sturdiness of wooden hulls.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: HURRICANE Schooner shipwreck, St. Joseph Michigan shipwreck, Lake Michigan Schooner loss, Wicks Buffalo shipbuilders, Sears & Clark Buffalo shipping, Great Lakes 1860 gale
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, Mid-19th Century Maritime Disasters, Agricultural Freight Shipwrecks
• Glossary Terms:
• Foundered: A maritime term indicating that a vessel filled with water and sank, often due to structural failure, weather, or overloading.
• Gale: A strong wind, typically between 34-47 knots (39-54 mph), which can cause hazardous conditions for vessels at sea or on large inland bodies of water like the Great Lakes.
• St. Joseph, Michigan: A port city on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, historically significant for maritime commerce and known for its role in regional shipping.