Site Description
- Schooner
- Still Missing
- 100ft Length
- North Channel
- Lake Huron
History
The ABIGAIL, a schooner, was built in 1849 in Black River, Ohio. It had a wooden hull with distinctive features such as a scroll head and square stern. The vessel was first enrolled in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1849. Over the years, it underwent several ownership changes and repairs.
In January 1852, the Abigail ran aground near Ashtabula, Ohio, carrying railroad iron after encountering a gale on November 5 of the previous year. It faced another misfortune in October 1855 when it was dismasted during a gale on Lake Michigan. However, the vessel underwent significant repairs in 1859 and continued its operations.
By 1860, the Abigail was owned by Thomas Sims of Chicago. Further repairs were undertaken in 1862, ensuring the vessel’s continued service. In 1868, it was designated as a barge with an official number of US368 and a gross tonnage of 132.97.
In subsequent years, the Abigail changed hands multiple times. It was owned by Kirby, Furlong, & Co. of Grand Haven, Michigan, in 1871, and later by Boomsleeter, also of Grand Haven, in 1873. However, on an unspecified date in the fall of 1875, the Abigail ran ashore near Muskegon, Michigan, on Lake Michigan.
The final fate of the Abigail remains unclear. It is reported to have been lost in either Georgian Bay or the North Channel in 1892. Unfortunately, there is limited information available about the details of its loss, including whether there were any casualties or the cargo it was carrying at the time.
Despite its eventual demise, the Abigail left behind a legacy of sailing the Great Lakes and enduring various challenges. The vessel’s major repair in 1862 and recovery from the grounding in 1875 are testament to its resilience. While its exact story may be incomplete, the Abigail holds a place in maritime history.
