45º 59.920’ North
83º 49.500’ West
The Schooner Barge DELAWARE began her illustrious career in 1868 when she was crafted at the renowned Campbell and Owen shipyard in Detroit. Designed for the iron ore trade, she boasted impressive dimensions – 173.6 feet in length, with a beam of 30.4 feet and a hull depth of 13.6 feet. Registering a gross tonnage of 547 tons, the DELAWARE was destined to navigate the vast waters of the Great Lakes.
Under the ownership of Campbell and Owen, the DELAWARE served as a dependable bulk freighter, transporting cargoes of coal, iron ore, and grain. In 1871, she found new owners in H.J. Winslow of Buffalo, becoming an integral part of the famed Winslow fleet, headquartered in Cleveland. The vessel underwent several changes in ownership, becoming a vital member of the Wilson fleet of Cleveland between 1885 and 1889. However, it was during this period that the DELAWARE’s first major disaster occurred when she wrecked at Hammond Bay, MI in 1887, while carrying a heavy load of pig iron. Undeterred, she was raised and rebuilt, continuing her service.
In 1898, the DELAWARE embarked on a new chapter as she joined the esteemed Blodgett fleet. For nearly three decades, she remained a lumber hooker, transporting timber and lumber across the Great Lakes. By 1926, after an impressive 58 years of service, the DELAWARE began showing signs of age. That year, she changed hands once again, coming under the ownership of Samuel Shields and Earl Weston of Sault Ste. Marie, MI.
The tale of the DELAWARE takes a mysterious turn after 1927. Official records cease, leaving a void in her history. However, local lore offers intriguing insights into her final days. One account suggests that she was brought to Drummond Island, near Sault Ste. Marie, as a crib for building a dock. Yet, the dock was never constructed, and the DELAWARE was left abandoned in what is now known as Sturgeon Bay.
Today, the DELAWARE rests in the serene waters of Sturgeon Bay, with only the bottom of her hull and a few artifacts remaining. Although not a major attraction for divers, the wreck offers a glimpse into the region’s maritime past and remains accessible for snorkelers and kayakers. The legend of the Schooner Barge DELAWARE continues to intrigue as her final voyage and mysterious abandonment add to the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history.
