Shipwreck Report: HAMILTON (1873)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: HAMILTON
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: 11286
• Type at Loss: Wooden Schooner
• Date Built and Launched: 1847
• Builder: Crockett, Oswego, New York
• Measurements: 205 Gross Tonnage, 157 Net Tonnage (unconfirmed)
• Date Lost: November 14 or 15, 1873
• Place of Loss: 40 miles off South Haven, Michigan, Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden Schooner (Cargo Transport – Lumber Trade)

Description

The Hamilton was a wooden schooner, built in 1847 in Oswego, New York, and operated as part of the “Red Bird” line, a fleet known for carrying bulk goods and timber across the Great Lakes. She reportedly had a “peculiar rig”, though historical records do not specify what made her distinctive from other schooners of the time.

The vessel suffered a major wreck in 1859 near Kingston, Ontario, and underwent significant repairs in 1860, extending her service life for another 13 years.

Final Voyage & Loss

On November 14 or 15, 1873, HAMILTON was carrying a cargo of lumber across Lake Michigan when she was caught in a powerful storm about 40 miles off South Haven, Michigan.

The storm raged for hours, overwhelming the Schooner with relentless waves and heavy winds. The buoyant lumber cargo kept her afloat for an extended time, allowing her crew to escape in the small boat.

After several hours of struggle, HAMILTON broke apart completely and was lost to the lake.

The crew fought the storm for 33 hours in an open boat before finally making it ashore, surviving one of the most harrowing ordeals of the era.

The vessel’s master at the time was Capt. H.L. Burch.

Final Disposition

Overwhelmed and broken apart by a storm, sinking 40 miles off South Haven, Michigan, in November 1873.

• Crew survived after 33 hours in a small boat
• Cargo of lumber lost
• Declared a Total Loss

Located By & Date Found

Nil—there are no confirmed reports of HAMILTON‘s wreck being located.

Given the open-water loss and wooden construction, her remains are likely scattered or fully deteriorated.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no known navigational advisories related to the wreck site.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The HAMILTON was a typical Great Lakes Schooner of the mid-19th century, operating in the lumber trade before meeting her fate in a storm.

Her crew’s survival—despite 33 hours adrift on an open lake in brutal conditions—is a testament to the resilience of Great Lakes sailors.

Although no confirmed wreckage has been found, her loss remains part of the rich maritime history of Lake Michigan.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: HAMILTON shipwreck, Lake Michigan Schooner loss, South Haven shipwrecks, Great Lakes lumber schooners, 19th-century maritime disasters
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Schooner Losses, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, Unlocated Shipwrecks, 19th-Century Maritime Disasters
• Glossary Terms:
• Red Bird Line: A shipping fleet known for cargo transport across the Great Lakes.
• Buoyant Cargo Effect: A phenomenon where cargo like lumber keeps a vessel afloat longer than expected, delaying sinking.
• South Haven, Michigan: A major port city on Lake Michigan, historically important for timber and maritime trade.