Schooner Twilight (1864–1871)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: Twilight
• Other Names: None
• Official Number: 24508
• Vessel Type at Loss: Wooden, three-masted Schooner (originally built as a steambarge)
• Builder: Unknown, built in Algonac, Michigan
• Year Built & Launched: 1864 (originally as a steambarge, later converted to a Schooner in 1868)
• Specifications: Length: 96 ft (29.3 m) Beam: 22 ft (6.7 m) Depth: 6 ft (1.8 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 105 GT (originally 185 GT before Rebuild)
• Date Lost: November 15, 1871
• Location of Loss: Rock Falls, Michigan, Lake Huron
• Cause of Loss: Storm, stranded on a reef, capsized lifeboat
• Loss of Life: 6 of 8 crew members drowned
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Ore

Vessel Description & History

The Twilight was originally built in 1864 at Algonac, Michigan, as a steambarge. She was later converted into a three-masted Schooner in 1868, likely to extend her operational life and adapt to the evolving Great Lakes shipping economy, which saw many early steam vessels repurposed as sailing craft.

Operating out of Bay City, Michigan, the Twilight transported ore and bulk goods between Goderich, Ontario, and Port Huron, Michigan, a common route for vessels involved in the Great Lakes mining and industrial trade.

Final Voyage & Loss

On November 15, 1871, the Twilight was sailing from Goderich, Ontario, to Port Huron, Michigan, carrying a load of ore when she was caught in a powerful storm.  The vessel struck a reef near Rock Falls, Michigan, causing a Hull breach and rudder damage, rendering her uncontrollable and sinking.  The crew attempted to abandon ship in the Yawl (small boat), but the lifeboat capsized in the rough waters, leading to the drowning of six of the eight crew members.  Only two sailors survived, likely by clinging to wreckage or reaching shore.  The vessel was Abandoned as a Total Loss, and her registry was surrendered at Port Huron on January 14, 1879, with a notation confirming her wrecking in November 1871.

Final Disposition & Salvage

•  Declared a Total Loss after the wreck.
• No record of salvage efforts.
• No confirmed modern discovery of the wreck.

Located By & Date Found

 No known wreck site identified. The remains are likely scattered or buried under sediment near Rock Falls, Michigan, on Lake Huron.

NOTMARs & Advisories

 The Lake Huron coastline near Rock Falls has a history of shipwrecks, as reefs and sudden storms have caused numerous vessel losses in the area.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca
• Great Lakes Maritime Database (GLMD): https://greatlakeships.org
• David Swayze Shipwreck File: https://usace.contentdm.oclc.org
• Great Lakes Vessel Database (BGSU): https://greatlakes.bgsu.edu/vessels

Conclusion

The Twilight was a typical example of an early Great Lakes Steamer repurposed into a Schooner, but she met her tragic end in a violent storm near Rock Falls, Michigan, in 1871. The loss of six crew members highlights the dangers of navigating the Great Lakes during the late 19th century, particularly for wooden sailing vessels caught in unexpected gales. Though her wreck remains undiscovered, she remains a somber reminder of the many lives lost to the unpredictable waters of Lake Huron.