Travel, when Michigan had just become a state, was difficult. Roads were few
and poor. Ships called sloops, brigs, barques, brigantines, canallers, scow
schooners and schooners traded along the coasts of the Great Lakes. They brought
food and general merchandise to settlements along the shores. They also picked
up goods to sell such as wood and fish.
A schooner is a ship with two or more fore- and aft-rigged masts
(distinguished from square-rigged) for its sails.
