Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Robert Willis
- Type: Brig/Schooner
- Year Built:
- Builder:
- Dimensions:
- Registered Tonnage:
- Location: Lake Michigan (possibly near Point au Barque)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Robert Willis was classified as a brig/schooner, a type of sailing vessel commonly used for cargo transport during the 19th century.
Description
The vessel was carrying approximately 14,000 bushels of wheat on its final voyage from Chicago to Buffalo when it encountered severe weather conditions.
History
The Robert Willis highlights the profound risks faced by grain-carrying sailing vessels during the Great Lakes’ late-autumn storms. The vessel’s sudden disappearance—resulting in no survivors and only rumors for weeks—illustrates common navigational hazards and communications challenges before modern rescue systems.
Significant Incidents
- Date of disappearance: 24 November 1853, during a severe gale on Lake Michigan.
- Fate: Foundered with total loss of vessel and cargo.
- Estimated property value lost: $29,000.
- Casualties: 10 crew members presumed dead.
Final Disposition
In December 1853, rumors circulated that the Robert Willis had gone ashore near Point au Barque, though details were inconclusive. By late January 1854, Buffalo newspapers published a fabricated letter falsely claiming the vessel and crew were safe in Traverse Bay, Canada. This hoax reflected desperate hopes, but the earlier Buffalo casualty list was accepted as accurate by January 1854.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The current condition of the wreck is unknown, as it has not been located. Investigations into meteorological logs and drift surveys are recommended to pinpoint the approximate wreck site.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”robert-willis” title=”References & Links”]
The loss of the Robert Willis serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by maritime vessels in the Great Lakes and the challenges of communication and navigation in the 19th century.
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