Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2013, All Rights Reserved USGenNet. Data Repository Please read USGenNet Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= USGenNet Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== VESSEL NAME: Marinette OTHER NAME(s): - OFFICIAL NO: 90766 REASON: Storm DATE OF LOSS: 19 November 1886 LOCATION: Lake Michigan - Frankfort RIG TYPE: Schr-barge HULL TYPE: Wooden BUILDER: J. Martel of Saugatuck - 1873 OWNER(S): Henry N. Loud & Co., Oscoda, MI MASTER: Capt. William Comfrey TONNAGE: 505 gt LENGTH: BEAM: DEPTH: CASUALTIES: 6 SURVIVORS: 1 On November 18, 1886, the schooner barges MARINETTE and MENEKAUNEE were bound Oscoda to Chicago with 1,250,000 feet of lumber between the two of them, in tow of the steam barge MANISTIQUE. At about noon they ran into a southeast gale, with rain and snow mixed, that intensified to near hurricane strength throughout the day. Midnight found the trio about six miles off Ludington with the MANISTIQUE turning to make a run for the Wisconsin shore. They made Two Rivers light but, finding little safety from the storm there, made for the shelter of the Manitou Islands at daylight. At about 2:30 the tow broke and the MANISTIQUE steamed away into the storm, leaving the MARINETTE and MENEKAUNEE on their own. Throughout the day the storm hammered at both vessels, but it seemed the MARINETTE was taking the worst of the beating. The lone sur- vivor, C. W. Annis of the MARINETTE, later said that the MENEKAUNEE rode alongside all day and did not show her distress signal. The MARINETTE unshipped her rudder, sprung a leak and waterlogged. When the deckload rolled off it smashed both rails and bulwarks. Her mainmast rolled out, taking the fore- mast and mizzenhead with it. Captain Comfrey had been washed overboard and lost by then. In the early evening an attempt was made to launch the yawl, but it sprung a leak and was useless. At 10:30 that night the MARINETTE struck the beach broadside. Survivor C. W. Annis climbed the mizzen rigging, taking Mary (the cook) with him, as the rest of the crew huddled under the lee of the cabin for shelter. Not being able to withstand the cold, Mary fell from the shrouds into the churning waters and was lost. Her thirteen year old daughter, Minnie, had never made it out of the cabin. Two more lost their lives while attempting to make shore on planks from the vessel. C. W. Annis was swept from the rigging by the raging seas and flung upon the shore where he crawled to a house and was cared for by the Mortenson family. ======================================================================== Sources: Manistee Broadaxe - 27 November 1886 Merchant Vessel Lists Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper - 4 December 1886 Marine Record - 25 November 1886, 9 December 1886