Identification & Site Information

• Name: L.M. HUBBY (also seen as L.M. HUBLEY)
• Other Names: None reported
• Official Number: None recorded
• Date Built and Launched: 1855
• Builder: Cleveland, Ohio
• Original Owner: Not documented
• Vessel Type: Three-masted wooden bark (Barque)
• Hull Materials: Wood
• Number of Decks: 1
• Number of Masts: 3
• Tonnage: 398 tons
• Primary Cargo: General freight (but was in ballast at the time of sinking, carrying 80 tons of sand)

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Vessel Type

The L.M. HUBBY was a wooden three-masted bark, designed primarily for cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Sailing vessels of this type were common before the widespread introduction of steam-powered freighters, serving as bulk carriers for goods such as grain, lumber, coal, and general merchandise.

Barks (barques) were particularly popular in the mid-19th century, as they combined square-rigged sails on the fore and main masts with fore-and-aft rigging on the mizzen mast, making them more maneuverable than full-rigged ships.

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History

The L.M. HUBBY had a very short service life, sinking in the same year it was built.

Key Events in the Vessel’s History:

• 1855: Constructed in Cleveland, Ohio as a three-masted wooden Bark.
• August 1855: Set sail in ballast (80 tons of sand), likely heading to pick up cargo.

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Final Disposition

The L.M. HUBBY met its tragic end on August 8, 1855, when it capsized in a severe storm and sank off Point Betsie, Lake Michigan.

The Disaster

• While sailing off Point Betsie, the vessel encountered a powerful gale.
• The ship capsized within 30 minutes, giving the crew little time to react.
• Four men managed to launch the ship’s boat, attempting to save the remaining crew members.
• However, heavy winds pushed the boat away, preventing any further rescue attempts.

Casualties and Survival

• 10 of the 11 crew members perished, including the captain, Capt. Roberts.
• Only one man survived:
• He made it to shore on the opposite side of the wreck site.
• He then trekked for three days through wilderness to reach a settlement at Sleeping Bear Bay.

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Located By & Date Found

Nil return. There are no confirmed reports of the L.M. HUBBY‘s wreck location being discovered or explored near Point Betsie, Lake Michigan.

Given that wooden ships deteriorate over time, any remains of the vessel may be deeply buried in the lakebed sands.

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NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil return. No modern navigational hazards related to this wreck are reported near Point Betsie, Lake Michigan.

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Resources & Links

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

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Conclusion

The L.M. HUBBY is a tragic example of the dangers of early Great Lakes sailing. Despite being a new vessel, the ship was quickly lost in a violent storm, claiming the lives of 10 crew members.

Its short lifespan reflects the perils of maritime trade in the mid-19th century, when ships lacked modern weather forecasting and safety measures.

The lone survivor’s three-day journey to safety is a remarkable testament to human endurance.

If you’re interested in learning more about other shipwrecks near Point Betsie, survivor stories, or Bark-rigged vessels on the Great Lakes, let me know!