The Wreck of the Sam Hale (1868)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Sam Hale
• Former Name: Redick (renamed before 1855)
• Official Number: 22345
• Type at Loss: Wooden Brig, 2-mast
• Built: 1847, by S. Farman, Southport (now Kenosha), Wisconsin
• Specifications: 118 ft (36 m) x 24 ft (7.3 m) x 11 ft (3.4 m) | 226 tons
• Date of Loss: September 22, 1868
• Place of Loss: Whalesback Shoal, Green Bay
• Lake: Michigan
• Type of Loss: Storm
• Loss of Life: None
• Cargo: Lumber
• Home Port: Chicago, IL

Vessel Type

The Sam Hale was a wooden brig, a two-masted sailing vessel designed for cargo transport. Originally built as the Redick, she was later renamed and primarily used to transport lumber across the Great Lakes.

The Brig was a common design for Great Lakes shipping during the mid-19th century, featuring a sturdy Hull and deep cargo holds, making it well-suited for heavy loads and long voyages.

Description

Launched in 1847 by shipbuilder S. Farman in Southport, Wisconsin (now Kenosha, WI), the Sam Hale spent over two decades in service before her final voyage. She was originally classified as a Schooner before being re-listed as a Brig by 1859.

Primarily used in the lumber trade, she frequently hauled timber from northern Michigan and Wisconsin to industrial centers like Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit.

The Sam Hale was well-known on the lakes, with a seasoned crew and a strong Hull, making her a reliable vessel despite the unpredictable nature of Great Lakes storms.

Final Disposition

On September 22, 1868, the Sam Hale was carrying a load of lumber bound for Chicago when she encountered a strong storm in Green Bay. As the winds increased and waves grew larger, she was pushed off course and struck Whalesback Shoal, a dangerous submerged reef in the bay.

The impact severely damaged her Hull, and the ship began to break apart in the heavy surf. Most of the crew managed to make it to shore, but two sailors remained aboard when the ship finally broke up a few hours later.

Clinging to floating wreckage, the two stranded crew members drifted for hours before being rescued by passing vessels.

By the next morning, the Sam Hale had been reduced to little more than scattered wreckage, marking the end of a 21-year career on the Great Lakes.

Located By & Date Found

The wreck of the Sam Hale has not been officially located, though it is believed to rest near Whalesback Shoal in Green Bay.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no current navigational warnings related to the Sam Hale, as her wreck is not a known navigational hazard. However, Whalesback Shoal remains a dangerous area for ships, requiring careful navigation to avoid grounding.

Resources & Links

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Research
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Wisconsin Shipwrecks Database

Conclusion

The Sam Hale’s story is one of resilience and survival, highlighting the dangers of navigating the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Though she met her tragic end on Whalesback Shoal, her crew’s miraculous escape serves as a testament to the skill and determination of Great Lakes sailors.

While her wreck remains undiscovered, the Sam Hale is remembered as a dedicated workhorse of the Great Lakes lumber trade, operating during an era when wooden sailing vessels were the backbone of regional commerce.

Keywords & Categories

Keywords: Sam Hale shipwreck, Great Lakes brig, Whalesback Shoal, Green Bay shipwreck, 19th-century shipwrecks, wooden sailing vessels, Great Lakes lumber trade.
Categories: Great Lakes shipwrecks, Wooden sailing ships, Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, Maritime disasters, 19th-century cargo vessels.