Service History
The wooden hull two masted scow-schooner
Laurel was built in Plaster Bed, Ohio by Barker in 1852. The official registry number was 15409. In 1874, the vessel was valued at $1,800 and rated C1 by the Board Of Lake Underwriters.
Last Document of Enrollment No.34 Surrendered: Milwaukee: 11/7/1888: "Total Loss".
Final Voyage
On March 12, 1892 during a heavy southwest wind and within sight of her Washington Island destination, the
Laurel dragged anchor and went ashore at Detroit Island near the Detroit Harbor entrance. Her owner, Ole Christianson of Washington Island had sailed her all the way from Milwaukee only to lose her at the last minute. Her cargo of maple wood was transferred to the schooner
Iris, which happened to be in port at the time.
"The old scow
Laurel is hanging together wonderfully despite her years. The last southwest wind shoved her up higher on the beach and made her spars work like a pair of scissors. The owner thinks he will burn her down, in order to get the iron of which there are tons." Door County Advocate September 17,1892.