Identification & Site Information

• Name: M. DOUSMAN (also known as MICHAEL DOUSMAN)
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: Not available
• Date Built and Launched: 1843
• Measurements: Length: 90 feet (27.4 meters); Beam: 20 feet (6.1 meters); Depth: 8 feet (2.4 meters); Tonnage: 157 tons
• Date Lost: December 7, 1853
• Vessel Type Wooden schooner

Description

The M. DOUSMAN was a wooden Schooner constructed in 1843 by shipbuilder S. Farnham in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Measuring 90 feet in length with a beam of 20 feet and a depth of 8 feet, the vessel had a tonnage of 157 tons. Designed for cargo transport on the Great Lakes, the Schooner was a typical mid-19th-century merchant vessel, facilitating trade and commerce in the region.

History

Throughout its operational life, the M. DOUSMAN primarily engaged in transporting goods across the Great Lakes. On December 7, 1853, while carrying a cargo of 170 tons of coal, the Schooner departed from Grand River, Ontario. Shortly after setting sail, the crew discovered that the vessel was leaking severely. In an effort to prevent the ship from sinking in deep waters, Captain Leggitt made the decision to run the Schooner ashore on the rocks near Point Abino on Lake Erie. The vessel quickly became a Total Loss and was subsequently stripped of valuable materials and Abandoned within the same week. Fortunately, there were no casualties reported from this incident. At the time of the loss, the M. DOUSMAN was owned by W. Buckley of Chicago.

An earlier report indicates that the Schooner had previously sunk in the harbor of either Dunkirk, New York, or Erie, Pennsylvania, on November 13, 1852. Details surrounding this prior incident are limited, but it suggests that the vessel had encountered significant challenges before its ultimate demise in 1853.

Final Disposition

The M. DOUSMAN was declared a Total Loss after being intentionally grounded near Point Abino on Lake Erie due to severe leaking on December 7, 1853. The vessel was Abandoned and stripped of useful materials shortly thereafter.

Located By & Date Found

There are no records indicating that the wreck of the M. DOUSMAN has been located or surveyed.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No current navigational warnings or advisories are associated with the location of the M. DOUSMAN’s loss.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Files: M. DOUSMAN

The history of the M. DOUSMAN reflects the inherent risks of maritime trade on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, where vessels often faced unpredictable weather and structural challenges.

Keywords: M. DOUSMAN, Schooner, Lake Erie shipwreck, Point Abino, maritime history

Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, 19th Century Vessels

Glossary Terms:

• Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically rigged fore-and-aft.
• Beam: The width of a ship at its widest point.
• Depth: The vertical distance between the Keel and the main Deck of a vessel.
• Tonnage: A measure of the size or cargo-carrying capacity of a ship.
• Hull Failure: A structural failure of the ship’s Hull, leading to water ingress and potential sinking.