Shipwreck Report: Schooner-Barge WAYNE (1882–1926)

Identification & Site Information

  • Vessel Name: Wayne
  • Other Names: None
  • Official Number: 80881
  • Vessel Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge
  • Built: 1882, by S. Langell, St. Clair, Michigan
  • Home Port: Unknown (likely Michigan-based)
  • Primary Use: Bulk cargo transport (likely coal, lumber, or iron ore)
  • Specifications Length: 187 feet (57 meters) Beam: 34 feet (10.4 meters) Depth: 14 feet (4.3 meters)
  • Gross Tonnage: 965 tons
  • Net Tonnage: 917 tons
  • Construction: Wooden Hull

Operational History

The Wayne was built in 1882 by S. Langell of St. Clair, Michigan, a region well known for wooden ship constructionin the late 19th century. She was a Schooner-Barge, a type of unpowered sailing vessel that was towed behind steamers to increase cargo capacity.

Role in Great Lakes Trade

The Wayne likely hauled bulk freight, such as:

  • Iron ore from Lake Superior mines.
  • Lumber from Michigan and Wisconsin forests.
  • Coal for industrial and home heating purposes. Operated as part of long towing convoys, often behind large steam-powered freighters.

Typical trade routes included:

Final Voyage and Loss

  • Date of Incident: October 9, 1906
  • Location: 14 miles southwest of Portage Canal, Keweenaw Peninsula, Lake Superior
  • Cause: Storm and stranding
  • Cargo at Loss: Unknown
  • Loss of Life: None (all 7 crew members survived)

Incident Details

The Wayne was under tow by the Steamer L.L. Barth, along with another Schooner-Barge, the S.H. Foster. A powerful storm struck, and the Wayne ran aground in rough waters near Portage Canal, Michigan. The vessel was declared a Total Loss, and her official documents were surrendered.

Recovery and Later History

Salvage and Rebuilding  Despite being written off, the Wayne was later recovered and Rebuilt.  She returned to service, continuing as a freight-hauling Barge on the Great Lakes.

Sold to Canadian Interests (1915)  In 1915, the Wayne was sold to a Canadian company, extending her operational life. Likely continued bulk freight trade under Canadian registry.

Final Fate: Abandonment in 1926  After more than 40 years of service, the Wayne was Abandoned in 1926. Exact location of abandonment is unknown, but likely scrapped or left in a remote harbour.

Legacy and Significance

Importance of Schooner-Barges in Great Lakes Shipping  Vessels like the Wayne were essential to bulk cargo transport in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Towed Schooner-barges increased efficiency, allowing steamers to haul more cargo without additional crews. By the 1920s, these wooden barges were being replaced by self-propelled steel freighters, leading to their decline.

A Rare Example of a Recovered “Total Loss” Ship  Many vessels written off as total losses were never salvaged. The Wayne’s recovery and return to service is an example of how some wooden ships were Rebuilt and repurposed.

Shipwrecks Near Portage Canal, Michigan The Keweenaw Peninsula and Portage Canal area has been a high-risk zone for shipwrecks due to: Frequent storms on Lake Superior. Rocky shorelines and shifting sands.  Heavy maritime traffic during the Great Lakes’ shipping boom.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

  • Location: Near Portage Canal, southwest of Keweenaw Peninsula, Lake Superior
  • Current Condition: If Abandoned in 1926, the remains may have rotted away or been scrapped If wrecked in 1906, but not fully recovered, fragments of her Hull could still exist on the lakebed.
  • Any surviving metal components (anchors, fittings, or iron fastenings) could still be detected.
  • Potential for Discovery:  No known modern surveys or dives have documented wreckage from the 1906 incident.
  • Great Lakes maritime historians may locate records or artifacts related to the ship’s abandonment.

Further Research and Resources

Conclusion

The Wayne (1882–1926) was a large wooden Schooner-Barge used for bulk cargo transport across the Great Lakes. She ran aground in a 1906 storm near Portage Canal, Michigan, and was declared a Total Loss. However, she was later salvaged and Rebuilt, remaining in service until she was sold to Canada in 1915 and Abandoned in 1926. While her final resting place is unknown, her wreck near Keweenaw remains a part of Great Lakes maritime history.