Identification & Site Information
- Name: Col. H. C. Heg
- Year Built: 1868
- Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner
- Cargo: Approximately 140,000 board feet of lumber
- Final Loss Location: Near the north pier at Muskegon, Lake Michigan
- Loss Date: 2 November 1877
- Cause: Blown off anchorage in severe storm; lost steering gear and small boat, subsequently wrecked ashore; Total Loss
- Outcome: Crew rescued; vessel declared Total Loss
Vessel Type
A mid‑19th-century working Schooner built to transport lumber across Lake Michigan. She was rigged with sails only and relied on anchorage and seamanship to weather storms.
Description
A sizable timber-hauling Schooner—details on dimensions or official number are not available in current records.
History & Chronology
- 2 November 1877: While bound from Muskegon to Chicago loaded with lumber, the Col. H. C. Heg encountered a severe storm on Lake Michigan.
- During heavy seas, she lost her steering capability and a small boat was washed away. The vessel was driven ashore near Muskegon’s north pier and wrecked.
- The crew were rescued safely—no casualties recorded.
- Surveyed and listed as a Total Loss following the incident (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Final Disposition
The Schooner was a Total Loss—smashed by waves onshore, her structure deemed unsalvageable, leading to abandonment on the beach.
Located By & Date Found
No formal rediscovery or wreck-site survey has been conducted. The vessel likely broke apart amid the surf and was either salvaged for salvageable materials or destroyed by wave action.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No modern nautical hazards are associated with the wreck. The incident predates modern navigation, and no remains pose a continuing risk.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files summary: details 140,000 ft lumber cargo, steering loss, grounding, complete wreckage, and crew rescue (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Shore Dive & Archaeological Info
Not applicable. The wreck lies in surf zone and was destroyed upon impact. No ongoing underwater site exists.
Conclusion
The Col. H. C. Heg typifies late‑19th-century lumber schooners that risked winter voyages on Lake Michigan. Her loss during a November storm near Muskegon—and her inability to steer or ride out winter seas—illustrates the vulnerability of sail‑powered cargo vessels of the era. Though no physical remnants remain, the event highlights the formidable weather challenges these historic vessels faced.
Keywords & Glossary
- Lumber Schooner | Muskegon storm wreck | Wooden sail cargo vessel | Great Lakes 1877 disaster
Would you like me to look into Muskegon newspapers from November 1877 for crew interviews or weather details?