Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: Windsor
• Type: schooner-barge
• Year Built: 1856
• Builder: Dean or J.A. Jenkins in Detroit, Michigan
• Dimensions: Length: 115 ft (35.1 m); Beam: 30 ft (9.1 m); Depth of hold: 9 ft (2.7 m)
• Registered Tonnage: 238 tons
• Location: Near Cana Island, Green Bay, Lake Michigan
• Official Number: 62523
• Original Owners: Captain David Williams

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Originally constructed as a paddle ferry, the Windsor was later converted into a wooden schooner-barge for bulk freight transport, reflecting a common practice of re-purposing older vessels to extend their operational life.

The Windsor began her career as a Detroit River ferry, operating in the busy shipping lanes between Detroit and Windsor, Ontario. Following a devastating fire in 1866, the vessel was rebuilt and repurposed as a schooner-barge—a type of vessel typically towed by steam tugs and used for transporting bulk goods such as timber, coal, and other heavy cargo.

Description

One of the most significant incidents in the Windsor‘s history occurred on April 26, 1866, when she was still serving as a paddle ferry. A fire broke out at the Detroit and Milwaukee riverside railroad terminal, reportedly triggered by the explosion of a barrel of naptha (a highly flammable liquid). The Windsor was docked nearby and quickly became engulfed in flames. Efforts to prevent the fire from spreading were led by the steamer Detroit, which bravely pushed the burning Windsor out into the Detroit River to contain the blaze and protect adjacent docks and vessels.

The fire resulted in the loss of 28 to 30 lives, making it one of the most tragic maritime disasters in Detroit’s history. After the fire, the Windsor was considered a total loss, but the hull was later salvaged and rebuilt, transitioning her from a ferry into a schooner-barge for bulk freight.

Following the fire, the Windsor was extensively rebuilt and converted into a schooner-barge. This transformation allowed her to continue serving on the Great Lakes for several more decades, hauling bulk freight such as timber and telegraph poles.

History

On October 1, 1893, while carrying telegraph poles bound for Chicago, the Windsor encountered a severe storm on Lake Michigan near Cana Island in Green Bay. During the storm, the vessel sprang a leak. In an attempt to save the ship, Captain David Williams, who also owned the vessel, tried to run her aground to prevent her from sinking in deeper waters.

Unfortunately, the Windsor struck a rocky reef near Cana Island and capsized. The situation quickly deteriorated, but most of the crew was rescued by the Sturgeon Bay Life-Saving Station. Despite these rescue efforts, one crew member perished in the incident. The vessel was declared a total loss following the capsizing.

Significant Incidents

• 1866 Fire: 28-30 lives lost in the Detroit River ferry fire.
• 1893 Storm: 1 life lost when the vessel capsized off Cana Island.

Final Disposition

The Windsor was declared a total loss after capsizing on October 1, 1893 near Cana Island, Lake Michigan. The wreck remains submerged near the reef, with no significant salvage operations recorded after her final sinking.

Current Condition & Accessibility

Nil return.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The Windsor had a long and eventful career on the Great Lakes, transitioning from a Detroit River paddle ferry to a schooner-barge hauling bulk freight. Her story reflects the adaptability of Great Lakes vessels in the 19th century, often repurposed after disasters to continue serving the booming regional economy. The tragic 1866 fire in Detroit, with its significant loss of life, and her final capsizing in 1893 underscore the constant dangers faced by mariners and vessels during this period. The Windsor‘s history serves as a sobering reminder of the perils of early Great Lakes navigation, both from industrial accidents and the region’s infamous storms.