Identification & Site Information

• Name: Happy-Go-Lucky
• Former Names: None
• Official Number: None
• Date Built & Launched: 1854
• Builder: Cleveland, Ohio
• Measurements: 36 ft x 10 ft x 5 ft (11 m x 3 m x 1.5 m)
• Tonnage: 14 tons
• Date Lost: October 13, 1856
• Place of Loss: Near Chicago, Lake Michigan
• Type of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: 1 (a boy crew member)
• Cargo: Unknown

Vessel Type

The Happy-Go-Lucky was a small, two-masted wooden schooner. Vessels of this type were commonly used on the Great Lakes for short-distance hauling of goods and supplies between growing lakefront towns.

Description

Built in Cleveland in 1854, the Happy-Go-Lucky was a very small Schooner, at just 36 feet in length. Vessels of this size were typically owned by independent merchants or small companies, operating as local cargo carriers along the lakeshore. Given its modest dimensions, it was likely used for Lighter freight or specialized goods rather than bulk cargoes like lumber or grain.

History

The Happy-Go-Lucky spent only two years in service before its tragic loss. In October 1856, the vessel was caught in a storm while attempting to reach Chicago Harbor. The entrance to the harbor was marked by piers, which required careful navigation, especially in rough weather. However, the Schooner failed to reach the safety of the harbor and was instead driven onto a Breakwater two miles to the south.

Most of the crew managed to reach safety by scrambling onto the Breakwater. Unfortunately, a young crew member, described as a boy, was unable to escape and was washed back into the lake, where he drowned.

With the vessel stranded and pounded by waves, the small wooden Schooner soon broke apart completely. The total financial loss was estimated at $2,100, a significant sum at the time for a vessel of this size.

Final Disposition

The Happy-Go-Lucky was completely destroyed by the storm and never recovered. No known wreckage remains today.

Located By & Date Found

There is no confirmed modern discovery of the wreck.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No known navigational hazards associated with the wreck site.

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 Happy-Go-Lucky is a stark example of the dangers faced by small sailing vessels on the Great Lakes. With limited size and power, they were particularly vulnerable to sudden storms. The Schooner’s inability to safely enter Chicago Harbor led to its destruction, and the tragic loss of a young crew member serves as a reminder of the perils of 19th-century lake navigation.

Suggested Keywords & Categories

• Keywords: Happy-Go-Lucky shipwreck, Chicago shipwrecks, Lake Michigan schooners, Great Lakes storms, 19th-century shipwrecks
• Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Lake Michigan History, Storm-Related Wrecks, 19th-Century Schooners
• Glossary Terms: Schooner, Breakwater, Harbor Entrance, Shipwreck, Lake Michigan Navigation