Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: HURRICANE
- Type: Schooner, wood-hulled
- Year Built: 1854
- Builder: Wicks, Buffalo, New York
- Dimensions: 120 ft (36.6 m); Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth of hold: 11 ft (3.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: approximately 300 tons
- Location: 8 miles north of St. Joseph, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: None
- Original Owners: Sears & Clark, Buffalo, New York
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden Schooner
Description
The HURRICANE was a wooden schooner built in 1854 by Wicks in Buffalo, New York. At 120 feet in length and approximately 300 tons, she was a typical mid-19th century Great Lakes cargo vessel, designed to transport bulk agricultural products and other freight between the major ports of the Great Lakes. Schooners like the HURRICANE were the backbone of maritime commerce during this period, capitalizing on the prevailing winds and relatively efficient design to move goods quickly and economically.
History
Owned by Sears & Clark of Buffalo, New York, the HURRICANE regularly sailed between Chicago and Buffalo, carrying agricultural goods to the East and manufactured products to the rapidly growing Midwest. On her final voyage, the vessel was carrying 14,000 bushels of rye, a significant load, bound for Buffalo from Chicago.
On November 23, 1860, the HURRICANE encountered a gale that swept across the Great Lakes, wreaking havoc on maritime traffic. The storm was one of the most destructive of the era, reportedly damaging or destroying over 60 vessels across the lakes. The HURRICANE was driven ashore and ultimately wrecked 8 miles north of St. Joseph, Michigan.
Tragically, all nine crew members aboard the vessel were lost, including the ship’s master, Captain William Webb (or possibly Welsh, as historical records vary). The storm’s severity and the schooner’s heavy load likely contributed to her inability to withstand the extreme weather conditions.
Significant Incidents
- November 23, 1860: The HURRICANE was driven ashore and wrecked in a gale 8 miles north of St. Joseph, Michigan.
- All nine crew members perished in the incident.
Final Disposition
Driven ashore and wrecked in a gale 8 miles north of St. Joseph, Michigan, on November 23, 1860. The vessel was a total loss, with all nine crew members perishing in the incident.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Nil—no confirmed reports of the HURRICANE wreck being located.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”hurricane-1854″ title=”References & Links”]
The HURRICANE‘s loss in 1860 is a stark reminder of the perils faced by mariners on the Great Lakes during the age of sail. Built in Buffalo and operating between Chicago and Buffalo, the vessel was part of the essential maritime infrastructure that connected the agricultural heartland of the Midwest with the industrial centers of the East. The gale that claimed the HURRICANE and over 60 other vessels underscores the unpredictability and power of Great Lakes storms, which could turn routine voyages into deadly disasters. The complete loss of her crew reflects the often unforgiving nature of 19th-century shipping, where safety measures were limited, and survival depended heavily on weather conditions and the sturdiness of wooden hulls.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
Join Shotline to read more →