Identification & Site Information

• Name: B.M. Baker

• Type: Schooner-Barge

• Year Built: 1869

• Builder: G. Hardison, Charlotte, New York

• Dimensions:

• Length: 115.2 feet (35.1 meters)

• Beam: 25.4 feet (7.7 meters)

• Depth: 8.8 feet (2.7 meters)

• Gross Tonnage: 186 tons

• Net Tonnage: 181 tons

• Official Number: 31217

• Final Resting Place: Springwells (Ecorse), Michigan, Detroit River

Vessel Type Description

The B.M. Baker was a wooden Schooner-Barge, a type of vessel often used for transporting bulk cargo on the Great Lakes. Originally constructed in 1869, it was a workhorse for the region’s booming lumber industry, particularly in the Saginaw trade. Its robust wooden Hull and design reflected the era’s shipbuilding techniques, capable of handling the challenging conditions of the lakes while carrying heavy loads of lumber and other materials.

History

The B.M. Baker began its service in 1869 under the ownership of J.B. Estes of Rochester, New York, and later transitioned to S. Scott of Detroit, Michigan, by 1879. The Barge was integral to the Saginaw lumber trade, eventually owned by A.A. Pinit of East Saginaw in 1881. The vessel routinely transported lumber and lath, essential materials during the region’s construction and industrial expansion.

Final Voyage and Wreck

On May 29, 1890, the B.M. Baker met its demise at Springwells (Ecorse), Michigan, in the Detroit River. The Barge was en route from Port Huron to Toledo with approximately 185,000 board feet of lumber when it encountered difficulties, leading to the vessel’s Stern being “entirely carried away.” The cargo was salvaged and transferred to another vessel, the John Sherman, in June 1891. Despite these efforts, the B.M. Baker was left in a damaged state and never Rebuilt or returned to service. By 1896, it was officially reported as lost.

Fortunately, no lives were lost in the incident, but the wreck marked the end of the Barge’s operational history, a testament to the hazards faced by cargo vessels on the busy waterways of the Great Lakes.

Final Disposition

The B.M. Baker remained in a damaged condition after the wreck and was eventually declared lost in 1896. Its remains, likely scattered or submerged in the Detroit River, are a reminder of the vessel’s contribution to the region’s maritime and industrial history.

NOTMARs & Advisories

There are no modern Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) associated with the wreck of the B.M. Baker, and its remains are not considered a navigational hazard.

Located By & Date

The exact location of the B.M. Baker’s remains has not been definitively documented, and it is unclear if any substantial portions of the vessel remain.

Resources & Links

• David Swayze Shipwreck File

• Great Lakes Ships

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes

Conclusion

The B.M. Baker serves as a historical marker of the Great Lakes’ vital role in the 19th-century lumber trade. Its loss in 1890 underscores the challenges faced by mariners and vessels navigating the busy and often unpredictable waters of the Detroit River. While its remains are unconfirmed, the B.M. Baker lives on in historical records as a symbol of the era’s industrious spirit and maritime legacy.

Keywords

#BMBaker #GreatLakes #SchoonerBarge #LumberTrade #DetroitRiver #MaritimeHistory #GreatLakesShipwrecks