Name D.R. Owen Port of registry United States Length 30 m | Operator W.R. Sutherland Laid down September 8, 1874 Construction started 8 September 1874 | |
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Fate Shipwrecked east of Ashland, near the mouth of the Bad River Notes Considered the first shipwreck of the Chequamegon Bay area | ||
The D.R. Owen was a schooner, leased by W.R. Sutherland, for hauling lumber. It was shipwrecked on September 8, 1874, and is generally considered the first shipwreck of the Chequamegon Bay area of Lake Superior.
History
During the early part of the 1870s Ashland was a small settlement, surrounded by a heavily wooded wilderness. Seeing the potential to make money in the future logging activity of the area, W.R. Sutherland founded the Ashland Lumber Company, the first sawmill in Ashland. (Note: this company should not be confused with a later business of the same name, of which Sutherland was not involved.) A good portion of Sutherland's business consisted of transporting lumber to Isle Royale, which had no sawmill of its own. The D.R. Owen was leased to transport lumber to the island.
On the morning of September 6, 1874, the Owen left the island after delivering a load of lumber. However, an extremely rough storm was soon encountered. Poor visibility, strong winds and rough waters proved to be very difficult for the crew. A leak was discovered in the hull, and the sails were completely wrecked by the violent winds.
The crew attempted to wait out the storm. Friday came and went with little change in the stormy conditions. Finally, on Saturday morning, land appeared on the horizon. The Apostle Islands were spotted, meaning the storm had blown the water-loged ship in the right direction, at least. By that afternoon, the ship reached an area east of Ashland, near the mouth of the Bad River, where it sank. Fortunately, the crew survived.