Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: W.H. Willard
- Type: Wood scow-schooner, two-masted
- Year Built: 1856
- Builder: Charles Hinman, Black River, Ohio
- Dimensions: 92 ft length × 22 ft beam × 9 ft depth; ~116 GRT, 108 NRT
- Registered Tonnage: 116 GRT, 108 NRT
- Location: Near North Pier, St. Joseph, Michigan
- Official Number: 26231
- Original Owners: Captain Peter Lawrence of Milwaukee
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A mid-19th century scow-schooner—laden with lumber—designed for coastal trade. Built for shallow-water cargo runs and maneuverability in harbors and inlets.
Description
The W.H. Willard was a wooden scow-schooner, characterized by its two masts and designed primarily for transporting lumber. Its construction allowed for efficient navigation in shallow waters, making it suitable for coastal trade routes.
History
The W.H. Willard served for nearly 25 years in lumber transport, which was crucial to Michigan and Midwest industrial expansion. The vessel’s registration and ownership by Captain Peter Lawrence of Milwaukee reflect her operating region and significance in the lumber industry.
Significant Incidents
- Final Voyage: Departed Muskegon, MI, bound for Benton Harbor.
- Incident Location: Struck near the North Pier at St. Joseph, Michigan — Lake Michigan.
- Date: November 6, 1880.
- Circumstances: Entering St. Joseph Harbor for storm refuge, she stranded and rapidly disintegrated near the shore during a violent gale. Crew climbed from her bowsprit to the pier with assistance from the U.S. Lifesaving Service.
Final Disposition
- Outcome: Structural breakup and complete loss.
- Fatalities: None reported.
- Salvage: Not documented; the wreck was not removed but likely scattered and partially buried in shallow waters.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the W.H. Willard has not been extensively documented since its loss in 1880. It is believed to be scattered and partially buried in shallow waters near the North Pier, making it a potential site for maritime heritage documentation.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”w-h-willard-us-26231″ title=”References & Links”]
The W.H. Willard was a typical example of a working scow-schooner that met her fate seeking refuge from an autumn gale off St. Joseph, Michigan. The safe rescue of her crew underscores the effectiveness of lifesaving efforts in this era. Though largely unexamined since 1880, her nearshore wreck site represents an accessible opportunity for maritime heritage documentation.
Full Wreck Record — complete historical article, construction details, voyage logs, incident reports, dive conditions, and all research sources.
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