R. G. Winslow (Bark), aground, 7 Dec 1867

Bark R.G. WINSLOW, of 499 tons. Owned Cleveland by Winslow. Bound from Chicago for Buffalo, went ashore on Spectacle Reef, Lake Huron, a total loss, November 1867. Loss to ship $40,000; loss to cargo $12,000. Insurance on ship
$40,000; insurance on cargo $8,000.
      Marine Casualties of the Great Lakes
      1863 to 1873. Report of U.S. Coast Guard
     
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      LOSS OF THE BARKS "ANNIE VOUGHT" AND "WINSLOW" - The following is the account of the loss of these two vessels, which struck on Spectacle Reef, Lake Lake Huron, on Friday night of week before last. The VOUGHT was trying to make an entrance into the Straits of Mackinac, but losing one of her principle sails, was driven back into the lake, and while beating back over this distance, and in the midst of a dense fog, ran ashore. The bow of the vessel and her bottom forward were very seriously injured, and within a few hours she had four feet of water in her, although the stern was entirely free of the rocks, and had 180 feet of water under it. The captain and crew took to their boat and made the land. They then endeavored to sail up as far as Duncan City, but the weather was so rough that the route by water had to be abandoned, and all hands walked the distance and thence came down on propellers. Captain Orr, of the VOUGHT, charges that while the vessel lay on the rocks, the propeller FOREST QUEEN passed almost within hailing distance, but offered him no assistance. The VOUGHT still lies in the same situation as when she struck, but will probably be destroyed during the winter. Her appearance, as she lies, covered with ice of all conceivable shapes, and towering high into the air on her masts, is said to be indescribable weird and beautiful. The vessel was one of the largest and finest on the lakes, and was insured for $60,000. Her cabins, especially, were models of beauty, finished in a
most exquisite manner, and furnished most luxuriously. She was launched last spring at Fairport. Her loss is a great disaster to her owners, though the insurance is a fair one. The WINSLOW went ashore within one hundred yards of the VOUGHT, the very next day, without knowing of the presence of the until the crew had begun to inquire into their position. She broke up very quickly, and her crew would have all been lost had it not been for the aid
rendered by the boats of the VOUGHT.
      The wrecked vessels were also passed by the propeller EQUINOX, and several sailing vessels, but no assistance was rendered them.
      Erie Daily Dispatch
      Wednesday, December 18, 1867

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      The Bark ANNIE VOUGHT. -- The Detroit Post of Wednesday has the following: "The bark ANNIE VOUGHT, which withstood the buffetings of the elements since late last rail and until a few days past, on Spectacle Reef, Lake Huron, a location far more dangerous than can be found elsewhere on the lakes, has at length been rescued, and now lies in Clark's dry-dock in good shape, for repairs. It will be remembered that immediately after the VOIGHT had struck on the rocks, another fine staunch built craft, the R. G. WINSLOW, also struck, near the side of the former vessel, but owing to the tremendous seas which swept over her, she survived the violence of the gale but a few hours, when she was dashed to pieces, and was soon lost to view,her crew taking refuge on board the VOIGHT. That the VOIGHT should have passed through sucb tempestuous weather at so critical a season of the year, is a matter of wonderment by all acquainted with the locality and it's surroundings. Spectacle Reef occupies some forty acres, and is covered by a ledge of sharp, scraggy rocks of immense proportions, and rarely, if ever, has it been known of a vessel being rescued after once grounded there. On visiting the VOUGHT, which we did yesterday, with others, and
on examination of her bottom as well as the interior of her hull, it was painfully evident that nothing save her strong and substantial build prevented her from sharing the fate of the WINSLOW, which went down alongside of her. Aside fron serious damage done to her bottom at various points, this part of the hull has sustained no great amount of injury. She rested on the reef, with the stern well down to the water's edge. The immense masses of ice which visited and were heaped on board of her were the means of forcing this portion of the vessel afloat, and of entirely seperating it from the hull, and, with the above exceptions, the ANNIE VOUGHT is today in as good shape as when first launched. Some three months since, she was purchased by Captain Thos. L. Parker, of Chicago, from John H. Vouht, of Buffalo. She is now to be fitted out as a three masted schooner, wire rigged, and when completed, we venture to say, will not only be one of the first ships afloat on inland waters, but will be unsurpassed as regards strength.
She posses a beautiful model, with excellent lines. She will be ready for use in about one month, and when completed her entire cost will not exceed $50,OOO, notwithstanding efforts were made to get her off the reef on three different occasions
      Chicago Tribune
      Friday, July 10, 1868

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DRIFTED ASHORE. -- A portion of the wreck of the bark R. G. WINSLOW which was lost on Spectacle Reef late last fall, has drifted ashore near Presque Isle, Lake Huron, consisting of the after part of the hull. The remaining part of the vessel lies at the point where she was broken up with nearly all her outfit, which can be recovered at no great expense.
      Chicago Tribune
      Monday, July 13, 1868