Lost on Lake Huron
The Schooner DOLPHIN, a vessel of 139 tons, met a tragic fate on Lake Huron in October 1887. Owned by Jenessen and based in East Saginaw, the DOLPHIN was carrying a valuable cargo of lumber when it foundered during a severe storm. The crew, all from the same place, faced a perilous situation, and the vessel became a total loss. This article recounts the events leading to the DOLPHIN’s demise and the efforts to rescue the crew and support their families after the tragedy.
On October 24, 1887, a violent storm struck Lake Huron, causing the loss of several vessels. The Schooners DOLPHIN and NORRIS were among those lost, both succumbing to the fury of the tempest. The crew of the NORRIS was rescued, but the fate of the DOLPHIN’s crew remained uncertain.
In the aftermath of the storm, two wrecks drifted ashore near Goderich. One of them was identified as the scow LADY ELGIN, while the other was believed to be either the NORRIS or the ill-fated DOLPHIN. Tragically, the body of a young woman, possibly a crew member from another vessel lost in the earlier gale on October 4th, was also found on the shore.
Captain Sheehan and five sailors of the barge NORRIS provided an account of the disaster. According to them, after breaking away from the tow line, the DOLPHIN turned over and sank, claiming the entire crew. The NORRIS, after drifting for hours, eventually waterlogged and was on the verge of breaking in two when the schooner BRECK came to the rescue. The heroic efforts of the BRECK’s crew saved the NORRIS crew from a similar fate.
In the weeks following the tragedy, the families of the DOLPHIN’s crew were left in dire circumstances. The loss of their loved ones also meant financial hardship. To help support Captain Gerrett Johnson’s wife, a subscription paper was circulated, and a generous sum was raised to aid her during this difficult time.
The sinking of the Schooner DOLPHIN in the storm of October 1887 is a stark reminder of the dangers faced by sailors navigating the unpredictable waters of Lake Huron. The loss of the vessel and its crew left a community devastated and grieving. The story of the DOLPHIN serves as a poignant tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of those who embarked on perilous journeys across the Great Lakes, and the resilience of their families left behind to cope with their untimely loss.
