Service History
The wooden two masted schooner
Equator was built in 1842 at Black River, Ohio.
Bill of sale Nov. 29, 1853. Devin Dorwin to John Bull. $1,800.
October 1, 1847: "The
Equator, loaded with merchandise for ports on Lake Michigan, is reported ashore at the South Manitou. By relieving her of the lumber with which the deck is laden, it issupposed she can be floated." Cleveland Herald, October 20, 1847
March 17,1848:"
Equator schooner, ashore on Manitou Island" Buffalo Courier March 17, 1848
October, 1853: "The schooner
Equator while going into Racine, on Tuesday night, struck the end of the southy pier, and stove a hole in her side so large that she sank in a few minutes. She now lies deck under a short distance inside the harbor..." Milwaukee Sentinel 10/04/1853 p3. Apparently, this loss was not so serious and she was recovered.
Final Voyage
May 23, 1854: The schooner
Equator was bound for Chicago, carrying a load of lumber, when she encountered a gale and was driven ashore seven miles south of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The vessel sustained $1,500 damage and her gear and rigging were sold at auction.
It is not clear if this was the end for the
Equator.