ALICE CRAIG (1857–1887)

Identification & Site Information

• Name: ALICE CRAIG
• Former Name: US Revenue Cutter John B. Floyd
• Official Number: 554
• Date Built and Launched: 1857
• Builder: Merry & Gay, Milton, Ohio
• Measurements:
  • Length: 62.7 feet (19.1 metres)
  • Beam: 18.4 feet (5.6 metres)
  • Depth of Hold: 6.1 feet (1.9 metres)
  • Gross Tonnage: 43.01 tons
• Date Lost: November 18, 1887
• Cause: Storm
• Cargo at Time of Loss: Camp supplies
• Place of Loss: Lake Superior, near Bayfield, Wisconsin
• Loss of Life: None(wisconsinshipwrecks.org, Midland Daily News, wisconsinshipwrecks.org)

Vessel Type

Two-masted wooden Schooner(wisconsinshipwrecks.org)

Description

Originally constructed as the US Revenue Cutter John B. Floyd, the vessel was one of six cutters built for service on the Great Lakes. She was designed for duties including the collection of import duties, law enforcement, assistance to mariners in distress, and the establishment of aids to navigation. After her decommissioning and sale in 1864, she was renamed Alice Craig and repurposed for commercial use.(wisconsinshipwrecks.org)

History

The John B. Floyd served on Lake Superior until 1864, stationed either at Bayfield, Wisconsin, or Marquette, Michigan. In 1864, she was decommissioned and sold at public auction. In 1867, Frank Boutin purchased her, renamed her Alice Craig, and utilized her for fishing and cargo delivery operations out of Two Rivers, Wisconsin. By 1870, the Boutin family had relocated their operations to Bayfield, Wisconsin.(wisconsinshipwrecks.org, wisconsinshipwrecks.org)

On November 18, 1887, while en route to Siskiwit Bay with a cargo of camp supplies, the Alice Craig encountered a severe storm. Reports indicate that she either Foundered off Bayfield or was driven ashore near Bark Point, possibly in Eagle Bay. The crew endured a harrowing night but were rescued by a fishing Yawl the following morning. The vessel, valued at approximately $2,500 at the time, was considered a Total Loss. (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)

Final Disposition

Declared a Total Loss due to storm damage, the Alice Craig was not salvaged and remains a shipwreck in Lake Superior.

Located By & Date Found

The wreck of the Alice Craig has not been definitively located or confirmed in modern times.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No current navigational warnings or official markers exist for the wreck site of the Alice Craig in Lake Superior.

Resources & Links

• Wisconsin Shipwrecks – Alice Craig
• Lake Superior Tall Ships – Alice Craig Replica Project

Conclusion

The Alice Craig exemplifies the multifaceted roles of vessels on the Great Lakes during the 19th century, transitioning from government service to commercial enterprise. Her loss underscores the perils faced by mariners navigating the often treacherous waters of Lake Superior.

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: Alice Craig, John B. Floyd, Lake Superior shipwreck, 1887 storm, Bayfield Wisconsin, US Revenue Cutter
• Categories: Great Lakes Shipwrecks, Maritime History, Wooden Schooners
• Glossary Terms:
  • Revenue Cutter: A vessel employed by the government for customs enforcement and maritime law duties.
  • Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, typically with the foremast shorter than the mainmast.
  • Foundered: To fill with water and sink.(wisconsinshipwrecks.org)

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