Stephen A. Douglas

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Stephen A. Douglas
• Type: Wooden schooner
• Year Built: 1859
• Builder: Ellinwood at Sackett’s Harbor, New York
• Dimensions: 360 tons (old measurement)
• Registered Tonnage: 360 tons (old measurement)
• Location: West of the Manitou Islands, Lake Michigan
• Official Number: Not available
• Original Owners: Willard Johnson & Turner of Oswego
• Number of Masts: Two or more

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Stephen A. Douglas was a wooden schooner, a type of sailing vessel characterized by its two or more masts rigged fore-and-aft.

Description

The Stephen A. Douglas was constructed in 1859 by shipbuilder Ellinwood at Sackett’s Harbor, New York. Designed for cargo transport across the Great Lakes, the vessel was named after the prominent American politician Stephen A. Douglas.

History

Throughout its operational life, the Stephen A. Douglas was primarily engaged in transporting goods across the Great Lakes. On October 15, 1862, the schooner was driven ashore west of the Manitou Islands on Lake Michigan and became stranded. The wrecking tug Leviathan was dispatched to assist, successfully pulling the vessel off the shore and installing two large steam pumps to manage water ingress. During the subsequent tow to Milwaukee, one of the pumps failed, causing the schooner to take on water rapidly. Despite efforts to save the vessel, it filled with water and sank in deep waters on November 3, 1862. The crew managed to remove the pumps just before the schooner submerged. There were no reported casualties, although one source suggests that the cook may have drowned. At the time of the incident, the Stephen A. Douglas was owned by Willard Johnson & Turner of Oswego, with Captain Vickery serving as the master.

Significant Incidents

• October 15, 1862: Driven ashore west of the Manitou Islands.
• November 3, 1862: Sank in deep water after a failed salvage operation.

Final Disposition

The Stephen A. Douglas sank in deep water west of the Manitou Islands on Lake Michigan on November 3, 1862, after a failed salvage operation. The vessel was considered a total loss.

Current Condition & Accessibility

There are no records indicating that the wreck of the Stephen A. Douglas has been located or surveyed. No current navigational warnings or advisories are associated with the location of the vessel’s loss.

Resources & Links

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The loss of the Stephen A. Douglas underscores the challenges faced by maritime vessels on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, where unpredictable weather and mechanical failures often led to the loss of ships and cargo.