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ARMED SLOOP
WELCOME
1774-1781

Length: 55 feet overall Beam: 16 feet Depth: 7 feet Gross tonnage: 45 tons

The sloop WELCOME was originally constructed in 1774 at Michilimackinac, by John Askins, as a private trading vessel. Askins came to America as a member of the Highland Regiment shortly after the British conquest of Canada. He served in the Seven years War (1756-1763), and on its termination remained here to enter into a trading partnership with Major Robert Rogers. Although the partnership soon failed, Askins entered aggressively into the Indian trade and was soon one of the leading merchants of the Upper Country with his operations extending from Montreal on the east to the farthest reaches of Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron on the West and South. He built the sloop Welcome to facilitate his trading business. Askins was the first person twho performed the feat of passing a vessel (Welcome) from Lake Michigan into Lake Sueprior.

On June 27, 1778 the sloop was purchased by the British military for L 900 and it was converted to an armed sloop. The crew consisted of twelve sailors and twelve soldiers. In 1779 the sloop, Welcome, was commanded by Lieutenant George Clowes was sent to St. Joseph to support British forces who wrongly believed that George Rogers Clark would lead an invasion of rebels from Illinois. The British continued to occupy the fort at old Michimackinac up through the early part of the American Revolution. In 1780 Commandant Patrick Sinclair used the sloop, Welcome, to move the fort from old Michilimackinac to Mackinac Island. During 1780, the WELCOME made many trips between the mainland and Mackinac Island to help move people and goods. The original logbook of these trips still exists. Late in 1781, the sloop was lost in a storm. Its final resting place remains a mystery although it was likely in the Straits of Mackinaw.

The replica WELCOME was built by the Mackinac Island State Park Commission at Fort Michilimackinac for the 200th anniversary of Independence Day. It served as a window to the past for many years, allowing visitors the chance to see a facet of American history often forgotten.

In December of 1992, the Maritime Heritage Alliance in Traverse City, Michigan became her custodian. Our primary goal is to rebuild the replica, make her seaworthy, and continue our mission of preserving and interpreting Great Lakes maritime history. MHA became the proud owners of WELCOME on Sept. 22, 2006.

The WELCOME reconstruction project is underway at the old Sears Coal Dock now. Visitors are encouraged to watch the vessel take shape and to volunteer time and talents if possible. The Maritime Heritage Alliance launched her on June 25th, 2005 and has continued WELCOME's reconstruction in the water with the stepping of the mast taking place on June 28th, 2006. Volunteers continue to work on completion of the WELCOME hoping to have her ready for U. S. Coast Guard inspection in the summer of 2008. Once reconstruction is completed, WELCOME will again serve as a living museum of Michigan's maritime tradition from the era of the American Revolution.

The WELCOME is the third in a series of historic wood vessels operated by the Maritime Heritage Alliance. The 20' Mackinaw boat GRACIE L. was launched in 1982, followed by the impressive 92' MADELINE in 1990.

The MHA is a non-profit 501 © 3 organization.