IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION #
The Lucinda Van Valkenburg was a wooden-hulled schooner, a common type of sailing vessel used on the Great Lakes during the 19th century. Schooners were primarily employed for transporting bulk cargo such as coal, grain, and lumber. The Lucinda Van Valkenburg was a mid-sized vessel for her time, with a gross tonnage of over 300 tons, capable of carrying substantial cargo across the inland seas.
HISTORY #
Built in 1862 at Tonawanda, New York, the Lucinda Van Valkenburg was registered under U.S. Registry No. 14614 and owned by T. Hood, operating out of Chicago, Illinois. For 25 years, the schooner plied the waters of the Great Lakes, transporting goods such as coal, which was an essential fuel for industries and homes across the region.
On June 1, 1887, the Lucinda Van Valkenburg was carrying a cargo of coal when disaster struck. The schooner collided with the propeller Lehigh on Lake Huron. The impact occurred on the port side of the schooner, forward of the fore-rigging, causing catastrophic damage. The Lucinda Van Valkenburg quickly took on water and sank, becoming a total loss. The property loss on the hull was valued at $5,000, while the cargo loss was estimated at $2,000.
FINAL DISPOSITION #
Following the collision, the crew of the Lucinda Van Valkenburg was safely rescued by the Lehigh and brought to Port Huron. In the aftermath of the sinking, the masts of the schooner, which remained above water, were removed by the revenue cutter Fessenden to eliminate any hazards to navigation.
LOCATED BY & DATE #
The exact coordinates of the wreck are not detailed in the available records. The wreck is located somewhere in Lake Huron, where it sank following the collision in 1887.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES #
The masts of the sunken schooner, which initially posed a threat to navigation, were removed by the revenue cutter Fessenden, ensuring that the wreck no longer obstructed other vessels on Lake Huron.
RESOURCES & LINKS #
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- NOAA Office of Coast Survey Wrecks and Obstructions Database: NOAA Wrecks and Obstructions
CONCLUSION #
The sinking of the Lucinda Van Valkenburg is a reminder of the inherent dangers of Great Lakes navigation in the 19th century, where collisions between vessels could result in significant losses. The schooner’s loss marked the end of a quarter-century of service on the lakes, and the quick removal of its masts by the Fessenden highlighted the ongoing efforts to ensure the safety of navigation in these busy waters.
KEYWORDS #
- Lucinda Van Valkenburg shipwreck
- Lake Huron schooner collision
- 19th century Great Lakes vessels
- Chicago maritime history
- T. Hood schooner
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION #
The wreck of the Lucinda Van Valkenburg remains an integral part of Great Lakes maritime history. The details surrounding its final voyage, the collision with the Lehigh, and the subsequent removal of its masts are preserved in historical records, serving as valuable information for historians and maritime enthusiasts alike.
