Identification & Site Information
- Name: Kate Bully (also spelled Kate Bulley)
- Built: 1866 at Corunna, Ontario (only vessel built there by J. Bully)
- Vessel Type: Wooden-hulled Schooner
- Dimensions: 44 m × 7.9 m × 3.7 m (144′ × 26′ × 12′); ~380 tons
- Cargo at Loss: Railroad ties
- Crew: 10 aboard; 6 lost, 4 survivors
- Date Lost: 4 October 1869
- Final Location: Off Little Sable Point, Lake Michigan
- Circumstance: Capsized in a sudden gale; survivors floated in their Yawl for 40 hours before rescue. Wreckage later washed ashore near Sleeping Bear Point. (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, en.wikipedia.org)
Vessel Type
A traditional two-masted Schooner used to transport heavy cargo such as railroad ties—vulnerable to stability issues when heavily loaded and exposed to sudden gales.
Description
Constructed in Corunna, Ontario, Kate Bully was among the largest schooners built there. She carried substantial loads but was built without an engine that was apparently planned. Her design made her efficient but potentially unstable under certain weather conditions.
History & Loss
On a voyage from Manistee to Milwaukee, she encountered a sudden gale off Little Sable Point on 4 October 1869. The heavy cargo likely contributed to her capsize. Only four crew survived—forcing themselves into the Yawl, they drifted for about 40 hours before being rescued by the Steamer Fred Pabst. (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com) Subsequent salvage efforts were undertaken by her owner John Bully, who built the scow-Steamer Allen Bully in 1877, but he fled the U.S. before completing the operation—salvage results remain unconfirmed. (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Final Disposition
Kate Bully was a Total Loss—broken up by waves near Sleeping Bear Point. No further service was recorded and her wreck was left in situ.
Located By & Date Found
No formal archaeological efforts have documented the wreck. Her remains often washed ashore after storms, but exact location is unknown.
Notations & Advisories
The area near Little Sable Point and Sleeping Bear Point has shifting sands and nearshore wreckage; no hazard markers are currently in place but debris may present a risk in rough conditions.
Conclusion
The loss of Kate Bully highlights the danger of heavy freight on 19th-century schooners and the devastating impact of sudden gales on Lake Michigan. The extraordinary survival of four crew members after 40 hours of drifting is testament to their resilience. The event led to unusual salvage efforts and economic fallout for her owner.
Suggested Keywords: Kate Bully, railroad tie Schooner, 1869 capsizing, Sleeping Bear shipwreck, Lake Michigan gale loss
Categories:
- Lake Michigan shipwrecks
- 19th-century schooners
- storm capsize tragedies
- survival stories
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files — Kate Bully entry, detailing capsizing, crew loss, rescue, and salvage attempts (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)