IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

Vessel Name:

DASHING WAVE

Type:

Schooner-Barge

Year Built:

1861

Builder:

Clayton, New York

Dimensions:

• Length: 133 feet (40.5 meters)

• Beam: 25 feet (7.6 meters)

• Depth: 12.8 feet (3.9 meters)

Hull Material:

Wood

Decks:

Single Deck (re-decked in 1870)

Tonnage (Post-Rebuild):

• Gross: 269 tons

• Net: 255 tons

Final Fate:

Abandoned on June 7, 1904

42.7026667°, -082.4995500°

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The DASHING WAVE was a wooden Schooner-Barge designed for general cargo and later transformed into a lumber transport vessel. Originally built as a Schooner in 1861, the vessel underwent significant modifications throughout its operational life, including a Rebuild into a Barge in 1878. Schooner-barges like the DASHING WAVE were a common sight on the Great Lakes, serving as critical components in the lumber trade, often towed by steamers to maximize efficiency.

HISTORY

The DASHING WAVE began its career in 1861 in the bustling shipbuilding town of Clayton, New York. With its original Schooner rigging, the vessel was well-suited for independent navigation across the Great Lakes.

Ownership Timeline:

1. 1863: Owned by Chapman & Wade, Ogdensburg, New York.

2. 1870: Retained by Chapman & Wade but underwent re-decking, likely to enhance its structural integrity and carrying capacity.

3. 1878: Rebuilt as a Barge, reflecting the evolving needs of Great Lakes commerce.

4. 1899: Acquired by H. E. Rynnels, Port Huron, Michigan.

5. 1902: Purchased by Carrie Koch, Sandusky, Ohio.

The DASHING WAVE was primarily involved in the lumber trade, transporting vast quantities of timber across the Great Lakes. During its later years, it was towed by steamers such as the Glasgow, S. C. Baldwin, Leland, and O. O. Carpenter, indicating its transition from an independent Schooner to a Barge.

Significant Changes:

• The Rebuild in 1878 marked a pivotal moment in the vessel’s history, transforming it into a Barge and enabling it to adapt to the changing dynamics of Great Lakes shipping.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The last recorded entry in the DASHING WAVE’s history was its abandonment on June 7, 1904. By this time, the vessel likely had reached the end of its economic viability, as newer and more efficient ships began to dominate the Great Lakes trade routes. Its abandonment aligns with a broader trend of retiring aging wooden vessels during the early 20th century.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

There is no definitive information about the current location or condition of the DASHING WAVE. Given its abandonment in 1904, it is possible that the vessel was left to deteriorate at a harbor or scuttled in shallow waters, a common practice for decommissioned ships of the era.

RESOURCES & LINKS

1. Maritime History of the Great Lakes – Comprehensive resource for Great Lakes vessels and shipwrecks.

2. David Swayze Shipwreck File – Includes details about Abandoned and wrecked vessels.

3. Local Historical Societies – Archives in regions like Port Huron and Sandusky may hold additional details about the DASHING WAVE’s operations and abandonment.

KEYWORDS

• DASHING WAVE

• Schooner-Barge

• Great Lakes Lumber Trade

• Port Huron Shipping

• 19th-Century Wooden Vessels

• Ship Rebuilds

ANALYSIS

The DASHING WAVE serves as a representative example of 19th-century wooden schooners that transitioned into barges during the evolving demands of the Great Lakes shipping industry. Its long history of service, ownership changes, and eventual abandonment highlight the challenges faced by wooden vessels during the shift to steel and steam-powered ships in the early 20th century. While its ultimate fate remains unclear, the DASHING WAVE’s story reflects the broader narrative of adaptation and obsolescence within Great Lakes maritime history.