Identification & Site Information

• Name: ROSE DOUSMAN
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: Not available
• Date Built and Launched: 1855
• Measurements: Length: 88 feet (26.8 meters); Beam: 23 feet (7 meters); Depth: 8 feet (2.4 meters); Tonnage: 133 tons
• Date Lost: First week of April 1867
• Vessel Type. Wooden schooner, two-masted

Description

The ROSE DOUSMAN was a two-masted wooden Schooner constructed in 1855 by shipbuilder Leander Cox in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Measuring 88 feet in length with a beam of 23 feet and a depth of 8 feet, the vessel had a tonnage of 133 tons. Designed for cargo transport on the Great Lakes, the Schooner was known for its sturdy construction and serviceable design, typical of mid-19th-century lake vessels.

History

Throughout its operational life, the ROSE DOUSMAN primarily served in the cargo trade across the Great Lakes. In 1864, ownership records indicate the vessel was held by Roach & Connor of Milwaukee. The Schooner was engaged in transporting various goods between ports, contributing to the regional commerce of the time. Specific details about its voyages and cargoes remain limited.

In the first week of April 1867, while navigating near New Buffalo on Lake Michigan, the ROSE DOUSMAN encountered a severe storm. The tempestuous weather led to the vessel stranding and ultimately becoming a Total Loss. Tragically, three crew members perished in the incident. The exact circumstances of the stranding and the nature of the cargo at the time remain undocumented.

Final Disposition

The ROSE DOUSMAN was lost due to stranding during a storm near New Buffalo, Lake Michigan, in early April 1867. The vessel was declared a Total Loss, and the wreck’s remains have not been documented as salvaged or located.

Located By & Date Found

There are no records indicating that the wreck of the ROSE DOUSMAN has been located or surveyed.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No current navigational warnings or advisories are associated with the location of the ROSE DOUSMAN’s loss.

Resources & Links

• No additional resources available.

The loss of the ROSE DOUSMAN highlights the perils faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, where unpredictable weather and limited navigational aids often led to tragic outcomes.

Keywords: ROSE DOUSMAN, Schooner, Lake Michigan shipwreck, New Buffalo, maritime history

Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, 19th Century Vessels

Glossary Terms:

• Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically with the foremast shorter than the mainmast, rigged fore-and-aft.
• Stranding: The running aground of a ship, leading to potential damage or loss.
• Tonnage: A measure of the size or cargo-carrying capacity of a ship.
• Beam: The width of a ship at its widest point.
• Depth: The vertical distance between the Keel and the main Deck of a vessel.