built 1868; lost November 10, 1900 Wooden three‑masted Schooner (originally a sidewheeler), Lake Michigan
Identification & Specifications
- Built: 1868 by Rand shipyard in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, as a sidewheel Steamer; converted to a three‑masted Schooner after 1874 following a fire.
- Official Number: 90465
- Type & Tonnage: At loss described as wooden three‑masted Schooner carrying lumber; approx. 210 × 29 × 13 ft and ~507 gross / 479 net tons.
Final Voyage & Loss
- Date of Loss: November 10, 1900
- Location: Ashore on North Manitou Island, Lake Michigan
- Cause: Overcome by a late-season wreck-driving storm, the vessel was driven ashore and wrecked completely.
- Cargo: Lumber
- Fatalities: Not recorded in the summary; “loss of life?” indicates unrecorded or uncertain.
Summary Table
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Manitowoc |
| Built | 1868, Manitowoc, WI (converted sidewheeler) |
| Official Number | 90465 |
| Type / Tonnage | Wooden 3‑mast Schooner, ~507 gt |
| Loss Date | November 10, 1900 |
| Loss Location | North Manitou Island, Lake Michigan |
| Cargo | Lumber |
| Cause of Loss | Storm-driven ashore and wrecked |
| Crew Fatalities | Not confirmed |
| Status at Time | Listed as totally wrecked in registry |
Context & Significance
- Manitowoc began life as a sidewheel Steamer and was converted to a full sailing Schooner after her 1874 fire. She served the lumber trade across Lake Michigan.
- Her final loss on North Manitou Island underscores the hazards of autumn navigation in this region—storms could easily drive vessels ashore on exposed Great Lakes islands.
- With no known survivors’ statement, the record does not confirm any fatalities, but the absence of data suggests that loss of life cannot be ruled out.
Research Recommendations for Further Study
- Regional newspapers dated early to mid‑November 1900—specifically Manitowoc Herald, Traverse City Record‑Eagle, or Leland Sentinel—may carry loss notices, crew names, or salvage attempt details.
- Insurance or marine underwriter registers filed under Official Number 90465—may include valuation of vessel and cargo, owner identity, or cause of loss.
- Port Manitowoc registry logs before and after loss—likely to contain previous service history and any rebuilding records post‑1874.
- Maritime museum collections such as the Wisconsin Maritime Museum may hold photographs or shipbuilder plans documenting the vessel’s Conversion and final voyage.
Conclusion
Manitowoc—a converted sidewheel Steamer built in 1868—met her end during a storm on November 10, 1900, when she was driven ashore and wrecked near North Manitou Island, carrying lumber. Though fatality records are unclear, the ship was declared lost in the registry. Her history reflects how even converted vessels had little margin for error in late-season Great Lakes storms.