Una (1877)

Explore the story of the Una, a wooden schooner lost in a storm in 1909 while moored in a Lake Michigan harbor.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Una
  • Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
  • Year Built: 1877
  • Builder:
  • Dimensions:
  • Registered Tonnage:
  • Location: Probable Lake Michigan port (e.g. Grand Haven, Manitowoc, or Port Washington)
  • Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Small wooden schooner—likely cargo or general freight.

Description

The Una was a wooden two-masted schooner built in 1877. The exact yard and owner are not recorded in the summary index.

History

The Una was presumably based in Michigan or Wisconsin, although the home port is not specified. The vessel’s service history is largely undocumented.

Significant Incidents

  • Date of Loss: October 15, 1909
  • Location: Stranded in her home harbor—probable Lake Michigan port (e.g. Grand Haven, Manitowoc, or Port Washington); details unspecified.
  • Incident Summary: A storm or gale caused the vessel to blow off her moorings. With no crew aboard to secure her, she was driven ashore and stranded in harbor, leading to irreparable damage.
  • Casualties: None recorded—crew was ashore at the time of the incident.

Final Disposition

The Una was ultimately abandoned after being stranded in harbor due to a storm. The archival record provides scant detail regarding her cargo, ownership, or specific harbor.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As the Una was abandoned after her stranding, her current condition is unknown. Further investigation into local records may provide additional insights.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”una-1877″ title=”References & Links”]

In conclusion, the Una was lost on October 15, 1909, when a storm drove her away from her moorings. Lacking onboard crew to secure her, she stranded and was ultimately abandoned. No casualties were recorded, and further research into local newspapers and port logs may yield richer information about her final chapter.

Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record

This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.

built 1877; lost October 15, 1909 Wooden two‑masted schooner on Lake Michigan

Identification & Ship Specifications

  • Built: 1877 (exact yard and owner not recorded in summary index)
  • Type: Small wooden schooner—likely cargo or general freight
  • Home Port: Not specified; presumably Michigan or Wisconsin-based

Final Voyage & Loss

  • Date of Loss: October 15, 1909
  • Location: Stranded in her home harbor—probable Lake Michigan port (e.g. Grand Haven, Manitowoc, or Port Washington)—details unspecified
  • Incident Summary: A storm or gale caused the vessel to blow off her moorings. With no crew aboard to secure her, she was driven ashore and stranded in harbor, leading to irreparable damage.
  • Casualties: None recorded—crew was ashore at the time of the incident
    (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wisconsin Shipwrecks)

Summary Table

FieldDetails
Vessel NameUna
Built1877
TypeWooden two-masted schooner
Loss DateOctober 15, 1909
Loss LocationIn harbor—stranded after blowing off moorings
Cause of LossStorm; unmanned vessel becalmed and stranded
CrewNo casualties; presumably ashore

Research Notes & Context

The Great Lakes Shipwreck Files offer only a brief notation regarding Una‘s loss, indicating she was blown from her moorings in harbor and subsequently stranded. No data on cargo, owner, or specific harbor is provided. The nature of the incident—harbor stranding—suggests she may have been tied loosely, perhaps decommissioned or unattended when a sudden storm swept through.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Smithsonian Magazine)

Research Recommendations

To enhance this foundational profile, I recommend exploring:

  • Local port newspaper archives (mid‑October 1909)—e.g. Manitowoc Herald, Milwaukee Journal, Grand Haven Tribune—for harbor incident reports or vessel mentions.
  • Port authority or dock logs—which may record unmanned vessel strandings, harbor damage, or salvage notices.
  • Underwriters’ loss registers—claims for registry losses or damage due to unattended vessels in harbor storms.
  • Maritime society or museum records—regional collections may contain shipping ledgers listing the Una, her owner, or operational logs.

Conclusion

Una, built in 1877, was lost on October 15, 1909, when a storm drove her away from her moorings in harbor. Lacking onboard crew to secure her, she stranded and was ultimately abandoned. No crew were aboard at the time, and no casualties are recorded. Regrettably, the archival record provides scant detail—no cargo, harbor name, or ownership—but further investigation into local newspapers and port logs may yield richer information.

Feel free to ask if you’d like help tracking historical newspaper coverage or port records that might illuminate Una‘s final chapter.

una-1877 1909-10-15 10:53:00