The Manitou Passage stretches from Pt. Betsie at the southern end to the Grand Traverse Light at the northern end. To schooners and steamers, they were drawn to the Passage because it saved time and because supplies could be replenished there. The Passage, however, could be treacherous in storms and during times of poor visibility. Ships could easily run aground. If one could reach South Manitou Island Harbor, it gave protection from most storms. Likewise, Sleeping Bear Bay offered safe harbor for vessels. But to get to these places at night, in driving snow, or storms that threatened to push vessels onto shoals and reefs meant careful navigation. Ships did not have radar to warn them of other vessels lying in the fog, they did not have depth sounders to give them warning of shallow areas, and the early charts were very sketchy about details. The list of vessels that have run aground or sunk completely from sight is long. Here is a partial list of shipwrecks and the reasons for their trouble out of a total list of 71 vessels. Bark: Badger State , 1870, ran ashore November 15 near Sleeping Bear Point Schooner: C.H. Hurd, 1871, capsized in gale, all but one lost; believed to be southwest of South Manitou Island. Schooner: Jennie and Annie, 1872, wrecked north of Empire, six or seven people lost. The winter of 1870-71 was severe -- shipwrecks on the Great Lakes left 214 people dead. The scale of this tragedy was repeated on the East Coast and led to the establishment in 1871 of the U.S. Life-Saving Service. By 1876, a lifeboat station was established at North Manitou Island, later to become a life-saving station by 1879. But a station was badly needed near Sleeping Bear Point.

CLICK FOR LARGER PHOTO Capt. Charles Robinson (#1 Boatman) - he later became Chief of the Frankfort Station and retired there Freighter at the dock in Glen Haven

www.schoolship.org/maritime/