Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

Wing

The Wing was a small wooden schooner wrecked in Lake Michigan in 1900, illustrating the challenges faced by mariners in the Great Lakes.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: Wing
  • Type: Schooner
  • Year Built: 1896
  • Builder: H. Genther, St. Joseph, Michigan
  • Dimensions: 50 ft (15.2 m); Beam; Depth of hold
  • Location: 10 miles south of St. Joseph, Michigan
  • Official Number: Not listed in the 1899 Merchant Vessel List
  • Original Owners: Henry Genther
  • Number of Masts: Two-masted

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

The Wing was a small wooden schooner, primarily used for transporting produce and farm goods along the southwestern shores of Lake Michigan.

Description

Launched in 1896, the Wing was a compact schooner designed for short-haul routes, especially suited to the transport of agricultural products between small ports. Despite her modest size, she played a crucial role in the local economy, ferrying goods between St. Joseph, Michigan, and Calumet, Illinois. Owned and captained by Henry Genther of St. Joseph, the vessel reflected the entrepreneurial spirit of small-scale shipping operations on the Great Lakes at the turn of the 20th century.

History

The Wing maintained a regular route between St. Joseph and Calumet, Illinois, carrying produce mainly potatoes and apples. However, her small size made her particularly vulnerable to the harsh conditions of Lake Michigan, especially during the late shipping season when storms were frequent and severe.

In October 1900, just a month before her final loss, the Wing went hard ashore in a storm at Union Pier, Michigan, while transporting a cargo of apples. At the time, the vessel was believed to be a total loss, though she was subsequently recovered. This incident led to public criticism of Captain Genther in local newspapers, with some accusing him of being “too venturesome with his little craft,” highlighting concerns about the risks he took navigating a small schooner in unpredictable weather.

On November 7, 1900, while approaching Chicago with a cargo of potatoes, the Wing was caught in another severe storm. Recognizing the danger, Captain Genther decided to turn back toward St. Joseph. Despite a valiant effort to reach safety, the schooner was driven ashore 10 miles south of St. Joseph the next day. The crew of two narrowly escaped death, battling icy gales that almost overwhelmed them before they managed to reach shore safely.

Significant Incidents

  • October 1900: Went hard ashore in a storm at Union Pier, Michigan, while transporting apples; believed to be a total loss but was recovered.
  • November 8, 1900: Wrecked 10 miles south of St. Joseph, Michigan, during a storm while carrying potatoes; declared a total loss.

Final Disposition

The Wing was driven ashore and wrecked 10 miles south of St. Joseph, Michigan, on November 8, 1900. The vessel was declared a total loss, and no salvage efforts were recorded.

Current Condition & Accessibility

No specific navigational warnings or obstructions related to the wreck of the Wing have been issued.

Resources & Links

References are being reviewed for this wreck.

The story of the Wing reflects the challenges faced by small-scale mariners navigating the Great Lakes in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Despite her modest size, the schooner played an important role in the regional transport of agricultural goods. Captain Genther’s determination to continue operating the Wing in the face of repeated dangers highlights both the resilience and the risks inherent in Great Lakes shipping. Her final loss in 1900 underscores the perilous conditions of Lake Michigan, especially for smaller vessels operating late in the season.