Identification & Site Information

  • Name: G. S. Weeks
  • Other Names: Possibly recorded as G. W. Weeks, George S. Weeks, George W. Weeks, or Wicks (variations in historical records)
  • Official Number: None assigned (pre-dates official vessel numbering system)
  • Date Built and Launched: 1835
  • Builder: Unknown, built in Clayton, New York
  • Tonnage (Old Style): 117 tons
  • Date Lost: October 11, 1855
  • Place of Loss: Pere Marquette (present-day Ludington), Lake Michigan
  • Type of Loss: Storm-related wreck while loading cargo
  • Loss of Life: None reported
  • Cargo at Time of Loss: Lumber, intended for transport to Chicago
  • Estimated Financial Loss: $3,000 (equivalent to over $100,000 today, adjusted for inflation)
  • Rebuild History: Likely Rebuilt around 1845 at Point Peninsula, New York

Vessel Type

The G. S. Weeks was a wooden Schooner, a versatile and widely used vessel type on the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Schooners like this were essential for transporting bulk commodities, such as lumber, grain, and general freight, between growing industrial centers along the lakes and smaller frontier ports.

Description

Built in 1835 in Clayton, New York, the G. S. Weeks was an early Schooner designed to meet the demands of Great Lakes commerce during a period of rapid settlement and industrialization. Weighing in at 117 tons, she was likely around 80–100 feet in length, with a shallow Draft suitable for navigating both open lake waters and the shallower harbors common in the Great Lakes region.

The vessel may have undergone significant rebuilding around 1845 at Point Peninsula, New York, which was a common practice to extend the service life of wooden ships. Rebuilding often involved reinforcing the Hull, updating rigging, and improving cargo-handling capabilities, especially as trade demands evolved.

History

The G. S. Weeks operated during a pivotal time in Great Lakes maritime history. The 1830s to 1850s marked the transition from frontier outposts to thriving commercial ports, with schooners forming the backbone of regional trade. Vessels like the G. S. Weeks transported lumber, agricultural products, and manufactured goods between port cities such as Chicago, Milwaukee, and Detroit, as well as smaller lumber towns along Lake Michigan’s coast.

Lumber was a particularly valuable commodity in the mid-19th century, fueling the rapid construction of cities like Chicago. The G. S. Weeks regularly carried timber from Michigan’s rich forests, likely making stops at emerging lumber hubs such as Pere Marquette—now Ludington, Michigan—where she met her fate.

Final Voyage and Loss

On October 11, 1855, the G. S. Weeks was docked at Pere Marquette, Lake Michigan, in the process of loading a cargo of lumber bound for Chicago. While still at the harbor, a severe storm swept through the area. Despite being in what should have been a relatively protected anchorage, the Schooner was unable to withstand the storm’s force. She was wrecked at the dock or very near the shoreline, battered by high winds and waves.

Although the vessel was declared a Total Loss, there were no casualties—a fortunate outcome considering the violent nature of Great Lakes storms. The loss was estimated at $3,000, a significant sum at the time, reflecting both the vessel’s value and the loss of cargo.

Given her probable Rebuild in 1845, the Schooner had already extended her service life beyond the average expectancy for wooden vessels of the era, which often ranged from 10 to 20 years depending on conditions.

Final Disposition

The G. S. Weeks was considered beyond salvage following the wreck. Given the time period and the vessel’s location, it’s likely that any reusable materials were stripped, and the remaining Hull left to deteriorate naturally along the shoreline or submerged in shallow waters near Ludington.

Located By & Date Found

Nil – There are no known records confirming the discovery of the G. S. Weeks’ wreck site. Due to her loss near shore, remnants may still exist under sediment or in shallow water off Ludington, Michigan, though likely in poor condition due to the passage of time and environmental exposure.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil – No specific navigational advisories are linked to the wreck of the G. S. Weeks. However, the Ludington area has multiple known wrecks, and mariners should consult updated nautical charts when navigating nearshore areas, particularly near historical shipwreck sites.

Resources & Links

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

Keywords: G. S. Weeks, Schooner, Lake Michigan shipwreck, Pere Marquette wreck, Ludington maritime history, Great Lakes lumber Schooner, 19th-century shipwreck

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Michigan, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Lumber Schooners, Rebuilt Wooden Vessels

Glossary Terms:

  • Schooner: A type of sailing vessel with two or more masts, rigged fore-and-aft, commonly used for cargo transport on the Great Lakes.
  • Rebuilt: Refers to significant structural repairs or modifications made to a vessel to extend its service life.
  • Total Loss: A maritime term indicating that a vessel is damaged beyond economical repair following an accident.
  • Pere Marquette: Historical name for present-day Ludington, Michigan, a key lumber port in the 19th century.

Conclusion

The G. S. Weeks represents the many small, hardworking schooners that fueled the economic growth of the Great Lakes region during the 19th century. Built in New York and later operating in Michigan’s lumber trade, her story is one of resilience, adaptation, and the constant battle against the unpredictable forces of nature. Though her wreck remains undiscovered, her history adds another layer to the rich maritime heritage of Lake Michigan and the evolving industries it supported.