Identification & Site Information

• Name: Grampus

• Type: Canadian Schooner

• Cargo: Oak timber

• Final Location: Wrecked alongside the Schooner Ainsworth

• Year of Loss: Likely late 19th century, following a major October storm.

• Rescue: Crew rescued by the Revenue Cutter Service using a Yawl.

Vessel Type Description

The Grampus was a Canadian-built Schooner, optimized for transporting heavy and bulky cargoes such as timber. With multiple masts, schooners like the Grampus were particularly adept at navigating the challenging and often unpredictable weather of the Great Lakes. Their design prioritized both capacity and stability to manage cargo like oak timber during transits across North America’s vast inland waterways.

History

Gale Damage and Repairs

Prior to its final voyage, the Grampus underwent significant repairs due to damages sustained during an earlier gale. These refittings underscore the inherent hazards schooners faced while traversing the Great Lakes.

Final Voyage

The Schooner Grampus embarked on a voyage heavily laden with oak timber. A severe storm overwhelmed the vessel’s structural integrity, causing it to break apart amidships. The catastrophic failure rendered the ship a Total Loss. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the relentless dangers posed by the combination of heavy cargo and fierce storms.

Shared Fate with the Ainsworth

The Grampus met its end alongside the Ainsworth, another Schooner victimized by the same storm. The close proximity of their losses illustrates the devastating impact of extreme weather on maritime operations during this period.

Heroic Rescue

The crews of both schooners were saved thanks to the courageous actions of the Revenue Cutter Service. Utilizing a Yawl, they demonstrated exceptional skill and bravery in the face of challenging conditions. This event highlights the crucial role played by early maritime rescue organizations.

Final Disposition

• Wreck Status: The Grampus was declared a complete loss after breaking apart amidships.

• Cargo: The oak timber cargo was lost with the ship.

• Location: Precise coordinates of the wreck remain undocumented.

Significance

The loss of the Grampus, alongside the Ainsworth, emphasizes the vulnerabilities of wooden schooners to severe storms on the Great Lakes. The incident also highlights the critical role of the Revenue Cutter Service, a precursor to the U.S. Coast Guard, in maritime rescue operations during the era.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Historical Coast Guard Rescue Records

Conclusion

The tragedy of the Grampus reflects the perilous realities of 19th-century Great Lakes navigation. The resilience of its crew and the heroic rescue effort underscore a compelling chapter in the history of maritime safety. The Grampus remains an enduring symbol of both the risks and the bravery associated with Great Lakes shipping.

Keywords & Tags

• #GrampusSchooner

• #GreatLakesShipwreck

• #MaritimeHistory

• #RevenueCutterService

• #OakTimberCargo

• #19thCenturyShipping

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