Whip (1849)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Whip
• Type: two-masted wooden schooner
• Year Built: 1849
• Builder: Luther Moses
• Dimensions: Length: 75 ft (22.9 m); Beam: 18 ft (5.5 m); Depth: 7 ft (2.1 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 77 tonnage (Old Style)
• Location: St. Joseph, Michigan
• Official Number: None
• Original Owners: Captain Nelson H. Blend
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Whip was a two-masted wooden schooner, a common vessel type on the Great Lakes during the mid-19th century. These schooners were typically used for transporting bulk commodities such as lumber, grain, and coal. Their size and rigging made them ideal for navigating the often-turbulent waters of the Great Lakes while carrying heavy cargo loads.

Description

Constructed in 1849 by Luther Moses in Ohio City, a now-historic neighborhood of Cleveland, Ohio, the Whip was a modest-sized schooner designed primarily for the lumber trade. Her 77-ton capacity made her suitable for regional cargo routes between ports on Lake Michigan, Lake Erie, and Lake Huron.

Owned and operated by Captain Nelson H. Blend, the vessel was home-ported in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Captain Blend was both the owner and skipper, a common practice for smaller vessels on the Great Lakes, where shipowners often commanded their own ships to maintain tight control over operations and profits.

History

On March 21, 1865, the Whip encountered an early-season gale while en route to St. Joseph, Michigan. These spring storms were notorious for their sudden onset and violent winds, often catching ships unprepared after winter lay-up.

The schooner, laden with lumber, struggled against the rising waves and was eventually driven onto the beach near St. Joseph. The vessel was wrecked as the relentless waves battered her hull, making salvage impossible.

Significant Incidents

The wreck resulted in the tragic loss of one life. Captain Nelson H. Blend, in an act of bravery, attempted to rescue the ship’s female cook during the chaos of the wreck. Unfortunately, both were swept away by the waves, and only the body of Captain Blend was later recovered. The cook’s fate remains undocumented, highlighting the dangers faced by even the most experienced mariners and their crews on the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition

The Whip was declared a total loss after being driven ashore and wrecked at St. Joseph, Michigan. The combination of storm damage and the force of the waves ensured that the vessel could not be salvaged. The remains likely deteriorated over time, either submerged in the shifting sands or broken apart by subsequent storms.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Nil return.

Resources & Links

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The loss of the Whip near St. Joseph, Michigan, serves as a sobering reminder of the risks faced by Great Lakes mariners during the 19th century. Despite the vessel’s solid construction and experienced skipper, the unpredictable and violent spring storms of the Great Lakes claimed another victim. The tragic death of Captain Nelson H. Blend, who perished attempting to save his female cook, underscores the bravery and camaraderie that were hallmarks of life at sea. The Whip‘s story adds to the rich maritime history of Lake Michigan, reflecting the dangers and challenges of early Great Lakes commerce.