Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Wenona
- Type: Schooner-Barge
- Year Built: 1857
- Builder: Luther Moses, Cleveland, Ohio
- Dimensions: 193 ft (58.83 m); Beam 30 ft (9.14 m); Depth of hold 11 ft (3.35 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 496 tons
- Location: Near the entrance to the Portage Ship Canal, Lake Superior
- Official Number: 26169
- Original Owners: Martha Smith
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Wenona began her career as a wooden propeller steamer, designed for both passenger and package freight service—a common type of vessel on the Great Lakes in the mid-19th century. However, in 1877, she was converted into a schooner-barge, a process that involved removing her steam machinery and reconfiguring her for tow operations. This transformation reflected the shifting economic demands of Great Lakes shipping, where aging steamers were often repurposed to extend their service lives as bulk cargo carriers.
Description
Built in 1857 by Luther Moses in Cleveland, Ohio, the Wenona was originally a propeller-driven steamer, constructed for passenger and freight services at a time when steam navigation was rapidly expanding on the Great Lakes. Measuring 193 feet in length, with a 30-foot beam and an 11-foot depth of hold, she was a large vessel for her era, capable of carrying substantial cargo and accommodating passengers on regional routes.
In 1877, after two decades of service, she was converted into a schooner-barge, reflecting the economic trend of adapting older steamers for towing operations. This conversion allowed her to carry bulk cargo, likely including lumber, iron ore, coal, or grain, while being towed by steam-powered tugboats. She underwent a major repair in 1878, likely addressing structural modifications from the conversion.
History
Throughout her long career, the Wenona served in multiple roles—first as a passenger and freight steamer, then as a schooner-barge in the bulk cargo trade. Registered out of Buffalo, New York, and owned by Martha Smith at the time of her loss, she operated primarily in the upper Great Lakes, including Lake Superior, where she encountered some of the most challenging maritime conditions.
The vessel’s later years reflect the durability of her construction and the adaptability of Great Lakes vessels during this era. Converting aging steamers into schooner-barges was a cost-effective solution that allowed shipowners to continue profiting from vessels that might otherwise have been retired or scrapped.
Significant Incidents
On September 7, 1898, the Wenona was under tow by the steamer Garden City when the convoy encountered a severe storm near the entrance to the Portage Ship Canal on Lake Superior. The Portage Ship Canal (now known as the Keweenaw Waterway) provided a crucial shortcut across the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, but the surrounding waters were notorious for sudden and violent storms.
During the storm, the Wenona was cast adrift after either a towline snapped or was intentionally cut to save the tug. The helpless schooner-barge drifted uncontrollably and was eventually driven ashore, stranding near the canal entrance. Despite efforts to save her, the vessel remained stranded on the beach, exposed to the relentless forces of Lake Superior’s waves.
Remarkably, the vessel’s skipper and his wife, who were also the vessel’s owners, stayed aboard the stranded vessel for months, hoping she could be refloated or salvaged. Their dedication reflects both the economic value of the ship and the personal connection they had to her. However, as the months passed, storms continued to batter the stranded hulk.
In September 1900, after two years exposed to the elements, another gale finally broke the Wenona apart, leaving her beyond recovery. The vessel was abandoned in November 1900, marking the end of her 41-year career.
Final Disposition
The Wenona was left to deteriorate on the Lake Superior shoreline near the Portage Ship Canal. Over time, her remains were likely scattered by waves, ice, and shifting sands. Given the cold, fresh waters of Lake Superior, portions of the wreck—particularly the wooden hull—may still exist submerged near the canal entrance.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Nil – No confirmed discovery of the wreck has been reported. However, the area around the Portage Ship Canal is rich in maritime history, and it’s possible that remnants of the Wenona have been documented by local divers or researchers.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”wenona-us-26169″ title=”References & Links”]
The Wenona‘s story reflects the evolution of Great Lakes vessels, transitioning from a passenger and freight propeller steamer to a schooner-barge that served the region’s growing industrial economy. Her loss near the Portage Ship Canal in 1898 illustrates the perils of Lake Superior’s treacherous storms, while the determination of her skipper and his wife—who lived aboard the stranded wreck for months—adds a deeply human element to her maritime legacy. Though long abandoned, the Wenona remains a testament to the resilience of Great Lakes mariners and the ever-changing face of 19th-century shipping.
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.
Identification & Site Information
- Name: Wenona
- Former Names: None documented
- Official Number: 26169
- Date Built and Launched: 1857
- Builder: Luther Moses, Cleveland, Ohio
- Original Vessel Type: Passenger & Package Freight Propeller Steamer
- Converted To: Schooner-Barge (converted in the spring of 1877)
- Home Port at Time of Loss: Buffalo, New York
- Owner at Time of Loss: Martha Smith
- Specifications: Length: 193 ft (58.83 m) Beam (Width): 30 ft (9.14 m) Depth of Hold: 11 ft (3.35 m)
- Gross Tonnage: 496 tons
- Net Tonnage: 471 tons
- Date Lost: September 7, 1898
- Place of Loss: Near the entrance to the Portage Ship Canal, Lake Superior
- Type of Loss: Stranded after being cast adrift in a storm
- Loss of Life: None
- Cargo at Time of Loss: Unknown (not specified)
Vessel Type
The Wenona began her career as a wooden propeller steamer, designed for both passenger and package freight service—a common type of vessel on the Great Lakes in the mid-19th century. However, in 1877, she was converted into a schooner-barge, a process that involved removing her steam machinery and reconfiguring her for tow operations. This transformation reflected the shifting economic demands of Great Lakes shipping, where aging steamers were often repurposed to extend their service lives as bulk cargo carriers.
Description
Built in 1857 by Luther Moses in Cleveland, Ohio, the Wenona was originally a propeller-driven steamer, constructed for passenger and freight services at a time when steam navigation was rapidly expanding on the Great Lakes. Measuring 193 feet in length, with a 30-foot beam and an 11-foot depth of hold, she was a large vessel for her era, capable of carrying substantial cargo and accommodating passengers on regional routes.
In 1877, after two decades of service, she was converted into a schooner-barge, reflecting the economic trend of adapting older steamers for towing operations. This conversion allowed her to carry bulk cargo, likely including lumber, iron ore, coal, or grain, while being towed by steam-powered tugboats. She underwent a major repair in 1878, likely addressing structural modifications from the conversion.
Operational History
Throughout her long career, the Wenona served in multiple roles—first as a passenger and freight steamer, then as a schooner-barge in the bulk cargo trade. Registered out of Buffalo, New York, and owned by Martha Smith at the time of her loss, she operated primarily in the upper Great Lakes, including Lake Superior, where she encountered some of the most challenging maritime conditions.
The vessel’s later years reflect the durability of her construction and the adaptability of Great Lakes vessels during this era. Converting aging steamers into schooner-barges was a cost-effective solution that allowed shipowners to continue profiting from vessels that might otherwise have been retired or scrapped.
Final Voyage and Loss
On September 7, 1898, the Wenona was under tow by the steamer Garden City when the convoy encountered a severe storm near the entrance to the Portage Ship Canal on Lake Superior. The Portage Ship Canal (now known as the Keweenaw Waterway) provided a crucial shortcut across the Keweenaw Peninsula in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, but the surrounding waters were notorious for sudden and violent storms.
During the storm, the Wenona was cast adrift after either a towline snapped or was intentionally cut to save the tug. The helpless schooner-barge drifted uncontrollably and was eventually driven ashore, stranding near the canal entrance. Despite efforts to save her, the vessel remained stranded on the beach, exposed to the relentless forces of Lake Superior’s waves.
Remarkably, the vessel’s skipper and his wife, who were also the vessel’s owners, stayed aboard the stranded vessel for months, hoping she could be refloated or salvaged. Their dedication reflects both the economic value of the ship and the personal connection they had to her. However, as the months passed, storms continued to batter the stranded hulk.
In September 1900, after two years exposed to the elements, another gale finally broke the Wenona apart, leaving her beyond recovery. The vessel was abandoned in November 1900, marking the end of her 41-year career.
Final Disposition
The Wenona was left to deteriorate on the Lake Superior shoreline near the Portage Ship Canal. Over time, her remains were likely scattered by waves, ice, and shifting sands. Given the cold, fresh waters of Lake Superior, portions of the wreck—particularly the wooden hull—may still exist submerged near the canal entrance.
Located By & Date Found
Nil – No confirmed discovery of the wreck has been reported. However, the area around the Portage Ship Canal is rich in maritime history, and it’s possible that remnants of the Wenona have been documented by local divers or researchers.
NOTMARs & Advisories
The waters around the Portage Ship Canal are known for navigational hazards, including shallow areas, reefs, and strong currents during storms.
Mariners are advised to exercise caution when approaching the canal entrance, particularly during adverse weather conditions.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Vessels Database (BGSU)
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Michigan Tech Archives – Keweenaw Waterway History
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms
Keywords: Wenona, schooner-barge, Portage Ship Canal, Lake Superior shipwreck, Garden City steamer, Martha Smith, Keweenaw Waterway wreck
• Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Superior, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Schooner-Barges, Storm-related Shipwrecks
• Glossary Terms:
• Schooner-Barge: A vessel originally built as a schooner or steamer, later converted to be towed by a tug while retaining minimal rigging for stability.
• Portage Ship Canal (Keweenaw Waterway): A man-made canal connecting Lake Superior to the Keweenaw Peninsula, providing a navigational shortcut for Great Lakes vessels.
• Cast Adrift: A maritime term describing a vessel that has become uncontrollably detached from its towline, leaving it vulnerable to winds and currents.
• Foundered: A term used when a vessel sinks or is lost, typically due to flooding, grounding, or structural failure.
Conclusion
The Wenona‘s story reflects the evolution of Great Lakes vessels, transitioning from a passenger and freight propeller steamer to a schooner-barge that served the region’s growing industrial economy. Her loss near the Portage Ship Canalin 1898 illustrates the perils of Lake Superior’s treacherous storms, while the determination of her skipper and his wife—who lived aboard the stranded wreck for months—adds a deeply human element to her maritime legacy. Though long abandoned, the Wenona remains a testament to the resilience of Great Lakes mariners and the ever-changing face of 19th-century shipping.
wenona-us-26169 1898-09-07 07:55:00