Identification & Site Information

  • Name: Racine
  • Former Names: None documented
  • Official Number: 21184
  • Year Built: 1844
  • Builder: Sanford & Moses, Cleveland, Ohio
  • Original Owners: Sears & Griffith, et al.
  • Enrollment: Registered in Cleveland, Ohio
  • Vessel Type: Schooner (2-masted)
  • Hull Material: Wood
  • Number of Decks: 1
  • Length: 106.4 ft (32.43 m) Beam (Width): 23.7 ft (7.22 m) Depth of Hold: 9.7 ft (2.96 m)
  •  Tonnage (Old Style): 223.4 tons
  • Gross Tonnage: 168.17 tons
  • Net Tonnage: 160 tons

Vessel Type

The Racine was a two-masted wooden Schooner, a versatile vessel type that dominated Great Lakes shipping during the mid-19th century. Schooners were particularly valued for their efficiency in transporting bulk cargo like lumber, grain, and coal, and their rigging allowed for easy handling with small crews, making them cost-effective for long hauls across the inland seas.

Description

Built in 1844 by Sanford & Moses in Cleveland, Ohio, the Racine was a solidly constructed cargo Schooner designed for heavy-duty freight transport. Measuring 106.4 feet in length with a 23.7-foot beam and a 9.7-foot depth of hold, she was built to handle the rough conditions of the Great Lakes while maximizing cargo capacity.

Her wooden Hull, typical of the era, was reinforced through numerous repairs and rebuilds over her nearly 50-year career, reflecting both the ruggedness of her construction and the challenging nature of maritime commerce in the 19th century.

Operational History

The Racine had an extensive and eventful service life, with multiple incidents, repairs, and ownership changes. She primarily transported lumber, one of the most vital commodities in the Great Lakes region during the 19th century.

Chronology of Notable Events:

  • 1846: Ashore in a gale near Madison, Ohio; successfully released in April 1847 by a salvor named Mr. Tisdale for the underwriters.
  • 1849 (May 3): Collision with the Schooner Ontonagon in the Straits of Mackinac.
  • 1853 (December 8): Ashore six miles from Two Rivers, Wisconsin, on Lake Michigan.
  • 1860: Owned by Holt, Mason & Company of Chicago, Illinois.
  • 1860 (November 8): Involved in a major collision with the Schooner Kyle Spangler off Presque Isle, Lake Huron, resulting in the sinking of the Kyle Spangler.
  • 1860 (November 14): Sank at False Presque Isle due to damage sustained from the earlier collision. She was later towed to Detroit by the Tug Oswego for repairs at the Campbell & Owen Drydock.
  • 1862: Underwent major repairs to restore seaworthiness.
  • 1863: Ownership transferred to Richard Mason of Chicago.
  • 1865: Registered at 168 gross tons after modifications.
  • 1867: Underwent additional repairs.
  • 1868: Repaired again following service incidents.
  • 1872: Rebuilt, likely to extend service life and possibly upgrade cargo capacity.
  • 1874: More repairs carried out, reflecting her active service demands.
  • 1876: Owned by M. Gunderson of Chicago, with tonnage increased to 213 gross tons after structural modifications.
  • 1888: Owned by Elizabeth Carrier, enrolled in Port Huron, Michigan.

Final Voyage and Loss

On July 3, 1892, the Racine met her fate near Whiskey Harbour Reef, northwest of Port Hope, Michigan, in Lake Huron. While transporting a cargo of lumber, she was caught in a severe gale. Despite efforts to navigate through the storm, the vessel stranded on the reef, where she sustained catastrophic Hull damage.

The crew was rescued by the U.S. Life-Saving Service, a forerunner of the modern Coast Guard, known for their daring rescues in dangerous conditions. After the crew was saved, efforts were made to salvage the vessel’s outfit and cargo, but the Schooner was declared a Total Loss.

Given her long history of incidents and repairs, it’s remarkable that the Racine remained in service for nearly five decades—a testament to both her durability and the importance of maintaining vessels in the face of constant maritime hazards.

Final Disposition

The Racine was wrecked on Whiskey Harbour Reef, where she broke apart due to the storm and exposure to the elements. There is no record of the Hull being salvaged for further service, indicating she was likely left to deteriorate at the site.

Located By & Date Found

Nil – There are no confirmed records of the wreck being officially located, but given the shallow, reef-strewn waters around Whiskey Harbour, remnants of the vessel may still exist underwater.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Whiskey Harbor Reef is known as a hazardous area in Lake Huron and is marked on modern nautical charts.

Mariners should exercise caution in this region due to submerged rocks and shifting shoals.

Resources & Links

Suggested Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

Keywords: Racine, Schooner, Whiskey Harbour Reef shipwreck, Lake Huron wreck, lumber schooner, Great Lakes maritime history, Kyle Spangler collision

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Huron, 19th Century Maritime Disasters, Great Lakes Lumber Schooners, Collisions and Groundings

Glossary Terms:

  • Schooner: A two-masted sailing vessel, rigged fore-and-aft, commonly used for cargo transport on the Great Lakes.
  • Stranded: A vessel that has run aground and is unable to refloat without assistance.
  • Reef: A ridge of rocks or sand, often just below the water’s surface, posing navigational hazards to ships.
  • Salvage: The process of recovering cargo, equipment, or parts of a wrecked vessel after an accident.
  • Outfit: Refers to a ship’s equipment, supplies, and gear used for operation.

Conclusion

The Racine’s long and storied history is emblematic of the perils and resilience of 19th-century Great Lakes schooners. Surviving multiple collisions, groundings, and even a sinking, she remained in service for nearly 50 years before finally succumbing to the forces of Lake Huron’s storms. Her numerous repairs and rebuilds reflect both the economic value of such vessels and the rugged determination of the mariners who sailed them. Today, she remains part of the maritime heritage of Lake Huron, her story preserved through historical records and maritime archaeology.