The AMERICAN UNION was a three-masted wooden schooner, later converted to a bark, that was built in 1862 by Ira LaFrinier in Cleveland, Ohio. It had a length of 186.48 feet, a beam of 33.16 feet, and a depth of 13.14 feet. The vessel had a tonnage of 764 4/95 (old style). It was initially owned by H.J. Winslow and others from Cleveland, Ohio.
Throughout its history, the AMERICAN UNION had several owners and encountered various incidents. In 1865, it collided with the schooner FREMONT, which resulted in the sinking of the FREMONT,. In 1868, the AMERICAN UNION experienced another collision, this time with the schooner FOREST, resulting in damage to its headgear and bow spirit. The ownership of the vessel changed hands multiple times, with owners including Wm. G. Winslow, John Prindiville, A.G. VanSchaick, Harrison Ludington, James Godman, and Annetta L. Godman.
On May 6, 1894, the AMERICAN UNION, without cargo, ran aground in Thomas Bay near Presque Isle, Michigan, in Lake Huron during a storm. Initial salvage attempts were unsuccessful, and the vessel remained stranded. Unfortunately, before it could be pulled off, a larger storm on May 19 destroyed the schooner. The AMERICAN UNION was eventually declared a constructive total loss.
The AMERICAN UNION’s final resting place was Thompson’s Harbor in Lake Huron. The vessel’s loss did not result in any loss of life. The estimated loss from the incident was $12,000.
