Identification & Site Information

• Name: George Hanson
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: None
• Date Built & Launched: 1851
• Builder: St. Joseph, Michigan
• Measurements: 53 ft x 15 ft x 5 ft (16.2 m x 4.6 m x 1.5 m)
• Tonnage: 38 tons (om)
• Date Lost: April 1, 1857
• Place of Loss: Off Kenosha, Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: 4 (including three Nichols brothers)
• Cargo: Wood

Vessel Type

The George Hanson was a small wooden Schooner, likely used for local and regional trade, particularly in the transport of lumber and other essential commodities along Lake Michigan’s shorelines.

Description

Built in 1851 in St. Joseph, Michigan, the George Hanson was a modestly sized Schooner, measuring only 53 feet in length. This type of vessel was common on the Great Lakes in the mid-19th century, often serving short-haul routes between growing lakefront settlements. The ship primarily operated out of Chicago, a booming port city at the time.

History

By 1857, the George Hanson had spent six years in operation, regularly carrying cargo such as wood, which was a crucial resource for construction and heating in the expanding communities around the Great Lakes.

On April 1, 1857, the vessel left Racine, Wisconsin, with a cargo of wood, heading south. A storm overtook the small Schooner, and it never reached its destination. In the aftermath, wreckage was discovered offshore near Kenosha, Wisconsin. The most notable sign of the disaster was the masts protruding from the water—strong evidence that the vessel had capsized and sunk.

All four crew members perished in the wreck, including three Nichols brothers. Given the conditions and the size of the vessel, it is likely that high winds and rough seas overwhelmed the Schooner, causing it to flip and sink rapidly.

Final Disposition

The George Hanson was presumed lost after the storm, and while its masts were seen sticking above the lake’s surface, there are no records of a recovery effort. The wreck likely deteriorated over time, either sinking further or breaking apart.

Located By & Date Found

No modern discovery of the wreck has been confirmed.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No navigational obstructions from the wreck have been reported in modern times.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Maritime Database – Bowling Green State University
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The loss of the George Hanson is a reminder of the perils faced by small schooners navigating Lake Michigan in the 19th century. The storm that claimed the vessel was not uncommon for the time, and given its small size, the ship stood little chance against the violent waves and high winds. With four lives lost, including three members of the Nichols family, it was a tragic event in early Great Lakes maritime history.

Suggested Keywords & Categories

• Keywords: George Hanson shipwreck, Schooner wrecks, Lake Michigan shipwrecks, Kenosha maritime history, Racine shipwrecks, Nichols brothers lost at sea
• Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Lake Michigan History, 19th Century Schooners, Storm-Related Wrecks
• Glossary Terms: Schooner, Capsizing, Storm Sinking, Lake Michigan Navigation, Timber Trade