built 1861 – wrecked late May 1875

Identification & Vessel Characteristics

  • Vessel Type: Wooden two or three-masted Schooner, built circa 1861
  • Purpose: Likely carried light general cargo (possibly agricultural produce or lumber) between ports such as Racine (WI) and Holland (MI)

Incident Overview

  • Date: Late May 1875 (specific day not recorded)
  • Voyage: En route from Racine, Wisconsin, to Holland, Michigan
  • Weather Conditions: Encountered a sudden squall—common in late-May on Lake Michigan—that capsized small vessels
  • Outcome: Spray capsized swiftly; all 3 crew members aboard presumed lost
    • The Schooner’s floating wreckage was discovered later, though there is no record of any survivors or formal salvage efforts
  • Casualties: Official entry notes “3 [all]”, indicating the entire crew perished
  • Source: Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (May 1875) (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, freeditorial.com, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org)

Final Disposition

  • Foundering: Capsized and sank in open waters
  • Wreckage: Likely drifted before sinking; remains unrecovered
  • Salvage: No documented recovery or remains
  • Hazard Status: No Notices to Mariners issued; contained within wreck report archives

Historical Context & Analysis

  • Vessel Vulnerability: Small schooners like Spray were especially at risk during sudden squalls on Lake Michigan—rapid wave action and shifting ballast could capsize them in minutes
  • Seasonal Risk: Late-May storms were infamous for catching early-season sailers off-guard, accentuated by variable weather and limited forecasts
  • Recording Practices: Losses during this era were often summarized in brief registry entries without extensive archival detail—hence, knowledge of this vessel remains sparse

Research Gaps & Recommendations

  • Crew Identities: Ship registration records (circa 1861) and newspapers from Racine/Holland in May 1875 may contain crew names or empathy notices
  • Contemporary Press: Examine Racine Journal or Holland Sentinel archives around late May 1875 for storm reports or body recoveries
  • Wreck Survey Potential: The wreck site likely lies offshore between Racine and Holland in water deep enough to have sunk spray swiftly—modern sonar surveys might identify unrecorded shallow wreckage or debris fields

Conclusion

The Schooner Spray capsized in a late-May 1875 squall while carrying a small crew from Racine to Holland. She sank rapidly, claiming the lives of all aboard. The floating remnants were later seen, but no formal recovery occurred. Her loss illustrates typical mid‑19th-century squall hazards on Lake Michigan, and she now rests unlocated at the bottom—her story preserved through a single archival note.