Samuel Shields and Earl Weston of Sault Ste. Marie, MI

Overview

Samuel Shields and Earl Weston were shipowners and operators based in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, involved in the Great Lakes maritime trade during the early 20th century. They became notable for acquiring aging vessels, such as the schooner barge DELAWARE, and repurposing them to extend their operational lives. Their ventures were part of the broader maritime economy of the Great Lakes, which was characterized by diverse shipping operations, resource extraction, and timber-related activities.

Key Contributions

1. Acquisition of the Schooner Barge DELAWARE:

• In 1926, Shields and Weston purchased the aging DELAWARE, which had been serving as a lumber hooker for decades under the Blodgett fleet.

• Their intention was to repurpose the vessel, possibly for continued use in timber transport or as part of a dock construction project.

2. Dock Construction Project on Drummond Island:

• Local accounts suggest that Shields and Weston brought the DELAWARE to Sturgeon Bay, near Drummond Island, intending to use her as a crib for building a dock.

• However, the dock project was never completed, and the vessel was left abandoned in shallow water, where her remains can still be found today.

3. Maritime Operations in Sault Ste. Marie:

• Operating out of Sault Ste. Marie, Shields and Weston were part of a bustling maritime economy centered around the St. Marys River, a crucial shipping artery linking Lake Superior to the rest of the Great Lakes.

• Their involvement in acquiring and managing older vessels reflects a common practice of the era, where resourceful shipowners found ways to extend the usefulness of aging ships.

Historical Context

Sault Ste. Marie as a Maritime Hub

• Sault Ste. Marie, MI, was a key center for Great Lakes shipping, owing to its location near the Soo Locks, which facilitated the transport of goods between Lake Superior and the lower Great Lakes.

• The town’s economy was heavily tied to industries like timber, mining, and shipping, making it a logical base for Shields and Weston’s operations.

The Decline of Wooden Ships

• By the 1920s, many wooden schooners and barges, such as the DELAWARE, were nearing the end of their serviceable lives.

• Shipowners like Shields and Weston often acquired such vessels for low-cost uses, including static roles like dock cribs, storage, or scrap materials.

Legacy

While little is documented about Shields and Weston’s broader activities, their purchase and subsequent abandonment of the DELAWARE have become part of the maritime lore of Drummond Island and Sturgeon Bay. The remains of the DELAWARE stand as a quiet testament to the region’s maritime history and the ingenuity of those who operated within the Great Lakes shipping industry.

Resources for Further Research

1. Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Archival materials on shipowners and maritime activities in the Great Lakes.

maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca

2. Great Lakes Historical Society: Records of Great Lakes shipping and regional maritime entrepreneurs.

inlandseas.org

3. Drummond Island Tourism: Information on the history of the island and local legends tied to abandoned ships.

visitdrummondisland.com

Conclusion

Samuel Shields and Earl Weston exemplify the resourcefulness of early 20th-century shipowners operating in the Great Lakes region. Their activities, though not extensively documented, contribute to the rich tapestry of maritime history in Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding waterways. The story of their acquisition and abandonment of the DELAWARE is a small but intriguing piece of this larger narrative.

Keywords

#SamuelShields #EarlWeston #SaultSteMarieHistory #GreatLakesMaritimeTrade #WoodenShips #DrummondIsland #SturgeonBay #GreatLakesShipowners