(Wooden Schooner, built c. 1857; wrecked November 6, 1865)
Identification & Vessel Details
- Type: Two-masted wooden Schooner
- Cargo at Loss: Salt (likely for distribution in Michigan/Ontario)
- Registry & Build Info: Registry records aren’t fully detailed, but analogous vessels of the era suggest 60–80 ft length, ~50–60 tons burden.
Final Voyage & Storm Incident (November 6, 1865)
- Event: Struck by a late-season storm on Lake Huron, likely while navigating the busy passage near Bois Blanc Island
- Location: Stranded on a reef or shoal in the Straits of Mackinac, remaining beached offshore
- Outcome: Vessel was Abandoned after grounding; no lives lost; most of the salt cargo was salvaged prior to abandonment
- Aftermath: By June 1866, vandals or scavengers set fire to her remains, burning the wreck to a stump
Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Loss Date | November 6, 1865 |
| Cargo | Salt |
| Cause of Loss | Grounding during autumn gale |
| Location | Bois Blanc Island area, Straits of Mackinac |
| Crew Casualties | None |
| Cargo Salvaged | Salt mostly recovered |
| Final Fate | Burned by vandals in June 1866 |
Context & Background
- The Straits of Mackinac region was a nexus for salt carriers and supply vessels linking Lake Huron and Georgian Bay with mid‑Great Lakes markets.
- Late fall storms with strong winds and shifting currents made navigation hazardous, particularly for grounded vessels.
- Salvage efforts at the time prioritized cargo preservation—salt being valuable industrial fuel and chemical base.
Next Research Steps
I can pursue deeper archival follow-up in any of the following areas:
- November 1865 Newspaper Archives
Local or regional papers (Detroit Free Press, Petoskey News-Review, St. Ignace News) may include eyewitness accounts, salvage attempts, or vessel description. - Registry & Enrollment Records
Research in Michigan shipping registries or port-of-record ledgers could confirm build details, owner, tonnage, and registration history. - Hydrographic and Chart Analysis
Mid-19th century U.S. and Canadian nautical charts likely indicate the reef or shoal where Flight grounded. - Insurance or Salvage Documentation
Marine underwriters or port salvage companies may have logged cargo draw-off and abandonment procedures. - Maritime Archaeology
Although burned, structural remains may persist in shallow water; potential documentary or sonar survey value exists.