Shipwreck Report: Schooner-Barge Waurecan (1857–1875)

Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name: Waurecan
  • Other Names: None
  • Official Number: 62107
  • Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge (Bulk Freight Carrier)
  • Built: 1857, by S. Hingston, Buffalo, New York
  • Home Port: Detroit, Michigan
  • Owner: Likely involved in Great Lakes lumber and bulk cargo trade
  • Master at Time of Loss: Captain A. McKenzie
  • Specifications  Length: 135 feet (41.1 metres) Beam: 30 feet (9.1 metres) Depth: 10 feet (3 metres)
  • Gross Tonnage: 371 tons
  • Net Tonnage: 294 tons

Operational History

Built as a Schooner, Later Used as a Schooner-Barge The Waurecan was originally constructed in Buffalo, New York, in 1857 as a sailing Schooner. By the 1870s, she was converted into a Schooner-Barge, meaning she no longer carried sails and was towed behind steamers for efficiency. She was used in the lumber trade, transporting timber from Michigan sawmills to markets along the Great Lakes.

Common Trade Route  Frequently hauled lumber from Saginaw, Michigan, a major lumber production hub. Likely delivered cargo to Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, or Chicago, where lumber was in high demand.

Final Voyage and Loss

  • Date of Loss: November 29, 1875
  • Location: Port Austin Reef, Lake Huron, off Port Austin, Michigan
  • Cause: Broke tow during a storm and Foundered
  • Cargo at Loss: Lumber
  • Loss of Life: None, but severe frostbite injuries among the crew

Incident Details

The Waurecan was being towed by the Steamer Trader, heading downbound from Saginaw with a load of lumber. A violent storm struck Lake Huron, making it difficult for the Trader to hold its course with the Waurecan in tow. The Towline parted, leaving the Waurecan adrift in the storm. The Schooner-Barge was pushed onto Port Austin Reef, where she Foundered and began breaking apart. The crew endured 12 hours of exposure to the freezing gale before being rescued by the Tug Home.  Due to severe frostbite, many crew members later required amputations of feet and ears.

Legacy and Significance

Risks of Towing in the Age of Steam By the 1870s, many older sailing schooners were converted into towed barges, but this practice left them vulnerable to storms if the towing Steamer lost control. The Waurecan’s loss highlights the hazards of towing vessels during extreme weather on the Great Lakes.

The Port Austin Reef as a Maritime Hazard  Port Austin Reef is a known ship trap, having claimed numerous vessels due to its shallow waters and exposure to high winds. The loss of the Waurecan was one of several disasters in the Thumb region of Michigan, which saw many wrecks due to violent storms.

Survival Story and Crew Hardship  The 12-hour ordeal on the ice-covered Deck demonstrates the harsh conditions Great Lakes sailors faced. The severe frostbite injuries suffered by the crew were common in winter shipwrecks, where exposure to subzero temperatures and lake spray could be deadly.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

  • Location: Port Austin Reef, Lake Huron, near Port Austin, Michigan
  • Current Condition:  The wooden Hull likely broke apart and was scattered by waves over time. Some remnants of the cargo (lumber) and ship fittings may remain on the lakebed.
  •  Potential for Discovery: Given its location in relatively shallow waters, remains of the Waurecan could still be present.
  •  Diving and sonar exploration in the Port Austin Reef area may reveal artifacts or Hull remnants.

Further Research and Resources

Conclusion

The Waurecan (1857–1875) was a wooden Schooner-Barge that played a key role in Michigan’s lumber trade before meeting her tragic fate in a Lake Huron storm. After breaking tow from the Steamer Trader, she Foundered on Port Austin Reef, leaving her crew stranded in freezing conditions for 12 hours before rescue. Though no lives were lost, several crew members suffered severe frostbite, leading to amputations. Her remains may still exist in the Port Austin Reef area, making her an important part of Michigan’s shipwreck history.