(wooden Schooner, 1855–1898)

• Also Known As: George Steele
• Official No.: 10211
• Built: 1855 by Asa B. Wilcox in Three Mile Bay, NY
• Dimensions: ~137 × 26 × 10 ft; 271 GRT / 257 NRT
• Construction: Wood-hulled, two-Deck Schooner
• Registry: Out of Chicago; Rebuilt in 1878 and underwent major repairs in 1883 (turn0search1)

Final Voyage & Wreck – October 1898

• Struck Date: October 14, 1898
• Location: Ran onto an inshore reef near Oscoda, Michigan, Lake Huron
• Incident: Driven onto reef by heavy gale; remained in place and broke up on October 22, 1898
• Cargo: Not recorded at sinking
• Casualties: None reported

Vessel Career & Service History

• Initially built for Great Lakes trade, likely transporting grain, lumber, or bulk cargo under Chicago registration
• Experienced a robust service life, including rebuilding in 1878 and major repairs in 1883—indicating active use into late service
• Final voyage meets a common mid‑Lake Huron weather hazard: shoal grounding under gale-force winds followed by structural breaking in place

Wreck & Salvage Status

• Grounded on reef in mid‑October and shattered over eight days of relentless wave action
• No salvage or Hull recovery followed; the wreck was Abandoned in situ and confirmed lost
• No reported injuries or fatalities

Documentation & Sources

• Detailed record from Great Lakes Shipwreck Files: “Driven on an inshore reef by gale and broke up in place on the 22nd”

Summary Table

Suggested Research Opportunities

• Insurance and Salvage Records: Chicago underwriter documents post‑1898 may contain claim details, reef position reports, or valuations
• Newspaper Archives (Oct 1898): Local papers like Oscoda Press and Tawas Herald likely covered the wreck and harbor response
• Tow/Repair Logs: Shipping agent logs in Oscoda/Mio may note intended cargo and salvage attempts