Identification & Site Information

Vessel Type

A mid-19th century wooden Schooner designed for bulk freight—predominantly lumber—across the Great Lakes.

Description

At approximately 204 tons old measurement, Cherokee carried two masts, with straightforward rigging for lumber-hauling voyages. Built for capacity rather than speed, she was typical of schooners of the era.

History & Final Voyage

  • 1835: Launched as Lexington at Oswego, NY.
  • 1849: Rebuilt by Gibson at Racine, Wisconsin; renamed Cherokee.
  • 1856 (26 Nov): Departed from Manistee bound for Chicago with a large lumber cargo. During a violent gale off Manistee, she Foundered—overwhelmed by high seas and wind—not far from shore. Of her 10–14 souls on board (five crew, five passengers), only the captain survived. (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)

Final Disposition

  • The Schooner sank; the wreck was not salvaged. Only flotsam and the tragic survival of the captain remain as testament to the event.
  • Despite being near shore, no significant wreck remains are documented; strong wave action likely destroyed or dispersed her remnants.

Located By & Date Found

No modern discovery or survey; presumed lost to the depths off Manistee. The passage of time and shifting lakebeds make archaeological recovery unlikely.

Notmar & Advisories

There are no historical or current Notices to Mariners specifically citing this wreck. However, that stretch of Lake Michigan remains prone to sudden autumn gales especially late November, and mariners are advised to monitor weather closely.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The tragedy of the Cherokee is one of the Great Lakes’ early disasters, illustrating the lethal combination of overloaded lumber cargoes and sudden storms. Even near coastal waters, unpowered vessels of her size stood little chance in November gales. The scant survival—only the captain—amplifies the human cost of maritime commerce in the mid-19th century. Though the wreck is unrecovered, her story remains a somber chapter in Lake Michigan history.

Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms

  • Keywords: Cherokee Schooner wreck, Manistee gale, 1856 shipwreck, lumber Schooner
  • Categories: Wooden schooners, autumn storm losses, Great Lakes disasters
  • Glossary:
    • Foundered: Filled with water and sank due to weather damage.
    • Old measurement tonnage: Volume-based cargo capacity used historically.
    • Gale: A storm of significant wind strength, typically force 8–9 on Beaufort scale.