Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Amelia
  • Former Names: None
  • Official Number: None
  • Date Built and Launched: 1848
  • Builder: Chicago, Illinois
  • Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Measurements:Length: 49 ft (14.9 m) Beam: 14 ft (4.3 m) Depth: 3 ft (0.9 m)
  • Gross Tonnage: 20 tons
  • Date Lost: May 15, 1856
  • Place of Loss: On a line between Waukegan (Illinois) and Muskegon (Michigan)
  • Lake: Lake Michigan
  • Type of Loss: Storm (capsizing due to sudden squall)
  • Loss of Life: None (all 3 crew members survived)
  • Cargo at Time of Loss: Light (headed to Muskegon to pick up shingle bolts)

Vessel Type & Description

The Amelia was a small wooden Schooner built in 1848 in Chicago, Illinois. Measuring 49 feet in length and weighing 20 gross tons, she was designed for short-haul trade and light cargo transport across Lake Michigan. Her shallow Draft of 3 feet allowed her to navigate near-shore waters and smaller harbors, making her ideal for picking up loads like shingle bolts (unfinished wooden pieces used in the production of shingles).

The vessel underwent a Rebuild in 1855, just a year before her loss, suggesting efforts to extend her operational life. Wm. C. Milan served as her master during her final voyage.

History

The Amelia operated along the southern and eastern shores of Lake Michigan, connecting ports like Waukegan, Illinois, and Muskegon, Michigan. She would have been part of the booming timber trade that characterized the region in the mid-19th century, transporting materials like shingle bolts, lumber, and other building supplies to growing urban centers such as Chicago and Milwaukee.

Given her small size, the Amelia likely served as a local freight vessel, operating between smaller ports and providing a critical link in the regional supply chain.

Final Voyage & Loss

On May 15, 1856, the Amelia was en route from Waukegan to Muskegon to pick up a load of shingle bolts when she encountered a sudden squall on Lake Michigan. The violent gust of wind caused the vessel to heel over onto her beam ends (meaning she tipped so far over that her Deck was nearly vertical).

Despite their efforts, the three-man crew was unable to right the Schooner. Stranded on the overturned Hull in the middle of the lake, they attempted to hail passing schooners throughout the night. Tragically, six schooners passed them by without responding to their distress calls.

Finally, the Schooner Wm. Sturges heard their cries and rescued the stranded crew from the Amelia‘s overturned Hull.

Final Disposition

While specific records regarding the fate of the vessel are limited, it is noted that the Amelia was probably later recovered. Given her relatively small size and the shallow waters of southern Lake Michigan, recovery would have been feasible, especially considering the vessel had undergone a Rebuild just a year earlier.

Located By & Date Found:

There is no confirmed modern discovery of the Amelia‘s wreck, if she was indeed left unrecovered. The vessel’s likely recovery and return to service mean that no significant wreck site may exist.

NOTMARs & Advisories:

No current navigational hazards are linked to the Amelia in Lake Michigan. However, the southern portion of the lake is known for its sudden squalls, particularly in spring and fall, and mariners should exercise caution when crossing open waters between Waukegan and Muskegon.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The Amelia‘s loss in 1856 illustrates the perils of small Schooner navigation on the Great Lakes, particularly when facing the sudden storms that are common on Lake Michigan. Despite the vessel’s recent Rebuild in 1855, her vulnerability to a sudden squall led to her capsizing. Fortunately, the entire crew survived, rescued by the Schooner Wm. Sturges after a harrowing night adrift. The Amelia‘s story is emblematic of the many small freight schooners that played a vital role in the Great Lakes’ 19th-century commerce, quietly supporting the timber and construction industries that fueled the region’s growth.

Keywords:Amelia, Lake Michigan Schooner, Waukegan, Muskegon, Timber Trade, Shingle Bolts, Great Lakes Maritime History

Categories: Great Lakes Schooners, Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, 19th Century Maritime Incidents

Glossary Terms: Beam Ends, Squall, Shingle Bolts, Capsizing, Maritime Rescue