Identification & Site Information #
Vessel Type Description #
The Daniel Boone was a wooden schooner, a type of sailing vessel that was widely used on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Schooners were known for their agility and ability to navigate the often treacherous waters of the lakes, making them ideal for transporting bulk goods such as coal and lumber. The Daniel Boone had a tonnage of 273 tons, indicating it was a sizable vessel for its time, capable of carrying substantial cargo loads.
History #
The Daniel Boone was constructed in 1855 by S. Ruggles in Milan, Ohio. With a tonnage of 273 tons, the schooner was engaged in the transportation of various cargoes across the Great Lakes. Its voyages often included routes from Milan to Buffalo, among other Great Lakes ports.
One notable incident occurred shortly after the vessel’s construction. In 1855, while en route from Milan to Buffalo, the Daniel Boone caused damage to approximately 1,500 bushels of wheat, though details of how this damage occurred are not provided.
The following year, on October 19, 1856, the Daniel Boone encountered a severe storm while sailing on Lake Huron near Manitoulin Island. The vessel was driven ashore and wrecked as a result of the storm. At the time of the wreck, the schooner was carrying a cargo of coal and lumber. While there is no mention of any loss of life associated with the incident, the wreck resulted in a total financial loss of $11,500 to the underwriters.
Final Disposition #
The Daniel Boone was declared a total loss after it was wrecked near Manitoulin Island. On October 26, 1856, reports confirmed that the wreck of the schooner was located in Saginaw Bay, Michigan, solidifying its fate. Despite hopes of salvaging other vessels that had gone ashore during the same storm, such as the schooner Oconto and the brig Globe, the Daniel Boone was beyond recovery.
NOTMARs & Advisories #
- Current Status: The wreck site is not known to be a navigational hazard today and is not subject to any active Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs).
Located By & Date #
- Discovery: The wreck’s exact location was confirmed in Saginaw Bay, Michigan, shortly after the incident in 1856, though modern documentation and exploration details are not specified.
Current Condition & Accessibility #
Due to the age of the wreck and the historical context, it is likely that little remains of the Daniel Boone today. The site may be of interest to maritime historians and archaeologists, but as of the available information, there are no detailed modern surveys or explorations of the wreck.
Resources & Links #
- Great Lakes Ships: Great Lakes Ships
- David Swayze Shipwreck File: Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
Conclusion #
The Daniel Boone schooner’s story is one of the many maritime tragedies that occurred on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Built in 1855, the vessel had a short service life before being wrecked in a storm near Manitoulin Island just a year later. The total loss of the schooner, along with its cargo of coal and lumber, highlights the perilous nature of Great Lakes navigation during that period. Despite the hopes of salvaging other vessels caught in the same storm, the Daniel Boone was lost to the waters of Lake Huron, contributing to the rich and often tragic history of shipwrecks in the region.
Keywords: #
- Daniel Boone
- Great Lakes Shipwreck
- Lake Huron Storm
- 19th Century Maritime Disaster
- Great Lakes Coal Transport
- Shipwreck Salvage
- Manitoulin Island Shipwreck
The Daniel Boone remains a part of the storied maritime history of the Great Lakes, where many vessels like it met their end in the unpredictable and often unforgiving waters of the region.
