A proud product of the thriving Buffalo shipbuilding industry, this beautiful schooner was launched just before the Civil War in 1855. With her svelte design and a length of 130 feet, she was built for speed, cutting effortlessly through the waters of the Great Lakes.
Sadly, just over a decade later in 1866, she was lost in a collision with the bark Baldwin due to low visibility and a navigational error. At the time of the incident, the Wings of the Wind was just six miles northeast of the mouth of the Chicago River. Fortunately, the crew managed to escape in the ship’s yawl before the vessel slipped completely beneath the surface.
Today, she rests in 40 feet of water, standing as a lasting tribute to an era of sleek sailing vessels. Thanks to her shallow depth, this historic wreck is a magnificent sight for both new and experienced divers alike. We visit the Wings of the Wind out of Hammond Marina.
