Identification & Site Information

Vessel Type

The George W. Wesley was a wooden Schooner, a versatile and widely used vessel type on the Great Lakes throughout the 19th century. Schooners were particularly favored for hauling bulk cargoes like lumber, grain, coal, and stone. Their fore-and-aft rigged sails allowed them to navigate efficiently with smaller crews compared to square-rigged ships, making them cost-effective for freight operations.

Description

Built in 1867 by J. Foulks in East Saginaw, Michigan, the George W. Wesley was designed to support the thriving lumber trade of the Great Lakes region. Measuring 109 feet in length, with a 28-foot beam and an 8-foot depth of hold, she was modest in size but well-suited for carrying heavy timber loads from Michigan’s logging centers to urban markets around the lakes.

Her Gross Tonnage of 136 tons indicates a vessel capable of transporting substantial cargo while maintaining maneuverability. The wooden Hull construction, typical for the time, provided the strength needed for Great Lakes conditions but also made her vulnerable to common risks such as foundering, leaks, and storm damage.

In 1871, just four years after her launch, the George W. Wesley was Rebuilt, likely to address structural wear or to modify her cargo capacity, a common practice as shipping demands evolved.

Operational History

Throughout her career, the George W. Wesley operated primarily in the Great Lakes lumber trade, transporting timber from logging hubs in Michigan to industrial centers like Chicago, Cleveland, and Buffalo. She would have navigated key routes across Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, and Lake Erie, often exposed to the unpredictable weather that characterizes these waters.

Significant Incidents:

  1. 1880 Grounding Incident (Pennsylvania): In November 1880, the Schooner was driven ashore near Pennsylvania, during a storm.  She was considered a Total Loss at the time but was eventually salvaged, repaired, and returned to service.  The incident reflects the Schooner’s durability and the economic incentive to recover and repair vessels even after severe damage.
  2. 1901 Foundering (Presque Isle, Michigan):  The George W. Wesley’s final voyage occurred on September 19, 1901, while carrying a load of lumber on Lake Huron.  She sprung a leak during a violent storm off Presque Isle, Michigan, and began to founder as water flooded the hold.  Recognizing the imminent danger, the crew Abandoned ship and was rescued by the Tug Castle. Remarkably, the vessel did not immediately sink because her buoyant lumber cargo kept her afloat. Eventually, she drifted ashore above Presque Isle Light, where she was declared a Total Loss.

Final Disposition

The George W. Wesley was declared a Total Loss after grounding near Presque Isle, Michigan. Given her history of being salvaged once before in 1880, it’s possible that some efforts were made to recover materials, especially valuable timber from her cargo and reusable parts of the ship’s rigging and hardware. However, no records suggest she was salvaged for further service after this final incident.

Her remains likely deteriorated over time, with parts of the wooden Hull either submerged, buried along the shoreline, or scavenged by locals.

Located By & Date Found

Nil – No confirmed discovery of the wreck has been reported. However, given the shallow waters near Presque Isle Light, remnants of the Schooner may still exist, possibly buried under sand or dispersed by lake currents.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Presque Isle, Michigan, is known for its treacherous shoals and sudden weather changes, which have caused numerous shipwrecks over the years.

Mariners are advised to exercise caution when navigating near Presque Isle Light, especially during storms or low-Visibility conditions.

Resources & Links

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

Keywords: George W. Wesley, Schooner, Lake Huron shipwreck, Presque Isle maritime history, lumber schooner, Tug Castle, Great Lakes storms

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Huron, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Lumber Schooners, Storm-related Shipwrecks

Glossary Terms:

  • Schooner: A sailing vessel with two or more masts, rigged fore-and-aft, commonly used for cargo transport on the Great Lakes.
  • Foundering: A maritime term meaning the vessel sank due to flooding or structural failure, often during rough weather.
  • Rebuilt: A process where a vessel undergoes significant structural modifications, often to extend its service life or improve capacity.
  • Presque Isle Light: A historic lighthouse on Lake Huron, serving as a navigational aid in an area known for dangerous shoals and shipwrecks.

Conclusion

The George W. Wesley had a remarkably resilient career, surviving grounding, rebuilding, and nearly four decades of service before meeting her end during a storm on Lake Huron in 1901. Her ability to stay afloat after being Abandoned, thanks to her lumber cargo, highlights both the ingenuity of Great Lakes sailors and the inherent dangers of maritime trade in the region. Though her wreck remains undiscovered, her story reflects the challenges faced by schooners navigating the stormy waters and treacherous shoals of the Great Lakes.