Identification & Site Information

• Name: CHARLES H. HURD
• Other Names: Also known as C.H. HURD and reported as J.L. HURD
• Official Number: 5390
• Date Built and Launched: 1868
• Builder: J.M. Jones, Detroit, Michigan
• Vessel Type at Loss: 3-masted wooden Schooner (some sources list her as a Steamer)
• Measurements: 600 tons
• Date Lost: September 22, 1871
• Place of Loss: Off South Manitou Island, Lake Michigan
• Lake: Michigan

Vessel Type

Three-masted wooden Schooner, though some sources mistakenly describe her as a Steamer. Schooners like the CHARLES H. HURD were commonly used on the Great Lakes for transporting bulk cargo, particularly agricultural goods.

Description

Built in 1868 by J.M. Jones in Detroit, Michigan, the Charles H. Hurd was a substantial vessel at 600 tons, designed for carrying heavy cargoes such as grain and lumber. The Schooner’s robust construction was typical of the period, with three masts providing the sail power necessary for navigating the often unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes.

The vessel was co-owned by her master, Captain W.O. Harrison, and John Hosmer, both of Detroit. The ownership structure, with the captain holding a stake, was not uncommon and often reflected a personal investment in the ship’s maintenance and operation.

History

The CHARLES H. HURD operated out of Detroit and was part of the bustling grain trade that connected the agricultural heartlands of the Midwest to the ports of the Great Lakes and beyond. Her voyages frequently took her from Chicago to ports across the lakes, transporting corn and other goods essential to the economy of the time.

On September 21, 1871, the CHARLES H. HURD departed Chicago with a cargo of corn and wooden posts stowed on Deck. The following day, while navigating Lake Michigan near South Manitou Island, the Schooner encountered a severe gale. During the storm, the vessel sprang a leak and began to founder rapidly.

Final Disposition

On September 22, 1871, the CHARLES H. HURD succumbed to the storm and sank off South Manitou Island in Lake Michigan. Of the 12 people on board, 11 perished, making it one of the more tragic shipwrecks in the region’s history.

The sole survivor was Captain W.O. Harrison, who was left to grapple with the devastating loss of his wife, children, and brother, all of whom were on board and died in the wreck. The tragedy was widely reported at the time, and the loss had a profound impact on the maritime community in Detroit.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return. There are no confirmed reports of the CHARLES H. HURD‘s wreck being located. Given its proximity to South Manitou Island, a known hotspot for shipwrecks, it is possible that remnants of the Schooner could lie among the many other wrecks in the area.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil return. No specific navigational hazards related to this wreck have been reported.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The sinking of the CHARLES H. HURD stands as a tragic reminder of the dangers faced by Great Lakes sailors during the 19th century. The loss of Captain Harrison’s family makes this one of the more personal and heartrending stories in the annals of Great Lakes shipwrecks. The vessel’s disappearance off South Manitou Island, an area notorious for shipwrecks, adds to the mystery and intrigue surrounding her final resting place. While no wreck has been definitively identified, the CHARLES H. HURD remains a symbol of both the peril and the resilience of Great Lakes mariners.

If you’re interested in more details about shipwreck exploration near South Manitou Island or the possibility of the CHARLES H. HURD being identified, I can look further into recent dive expeditions or historical archives.