 | |
| History | |
|---|---|
| Name | Erie. L. Hackley |
| Owner | Levi Joseph Vorous, E.T. Thorpe, and Henry Roberoy |
| Builder | J.P. Arnold |
| In service | 1882-1903 |
| Homeport | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |
| Fate | Sunk in 1903 nearGreen Island, Wisconsin |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Steam screw |
| Tonnage | 54.61 |
| Length | 79 feet |
| Propulsion | Steam screw |
SSErie L. Hackley was apassenger andcargo ship that operated inLake Michigan from 1882 to 1903.[1] The ship sank in a storm nearGreen Island on 3 October 1903.[2]
TheErie L. Hackley was a wooden steamer built in 1882 inMuskegon, Michigan by J. Arnold. It was 79 feet (24 m) long, with a beam of 17 feet (5.2 m), a depth of 5 feet (1.5 m), and a gross tonnage of 55 tons.[3]
TheErie L. Hackley's first owner was Seth Lee of Muskegon,[3] who operated theHackley as aferry between Muskegon and the suburb ofNorth Muskegon (along with another ship, theCentennial).[4]
On 2 August 1902, theHackley broke its shaft nearNorth Manitou Island, and had to be towed to port.[5]
In the spring of 1903, the Hackley was purchased by Captain Joseph Vorous and three other men, becoming part of the Fish Creek Transportation Company. It carried passengers and cargo on a route fromSturgeon Bay, Wisconsin toMarinette, Wisconsin andMenominee, Michigan, then back acrossGreen Bay toEgg Harbor,Fish Creek andWashington Island, also stopping atEphraim,Sister Bay, andEllison Bay[3]
At 5:45 pm on 3 October 1903, theErie L. Hackley departed Menominee, Michigan, bound for Egg Harbor, Wisconsin.[3] Fifteen minutes after departing, the Erie L. Hackley was just north of Green Island when a sudden storm blew up. The ship began to list and take on water. A giant wave smashed into the ship, carrying away thecabin; the ship then began to sink rapidly. The male passengers and crew placed the female passengers on floating wreckage before grabbing on to wreckage themselves. Captain Vorous stayed in thepilot house, trying to right the ship until he went down with it.[6]
Those who survived the wreck clung to wreckage overnight until the steamerSheboygan happened upon the scene. TheSheboygan rescued eight survivors; eleven people were lost.[3]
ThetugboatsLeona R. andPilgrim attempted to locate the wreck of theHackley by dragging a chain. They believed they had located the wreck but the depth prevented them from diving to confirm it. A board of inquiry into the sinking determined that the condition of theHackley was not at fault. In June 1980, divers finally discovered the wreck of theHackley.[3]
45°03.71′N87°27.37′W / 45.06183°N 87.45617°W /45.06183; -87.45617
