Identification & Site Information

• Name: S. D. HUNGERFORD
• Other Names: None reported
• Official Number: 22553
• Date Built and Launched: 1866
• Builder: L. Reed, Stoney Creek, New York
• Measurements: Length: 137 ft (41.76 m) Beam: 26 ft (7.92 m) Depth: 11 ft (3.35 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 267 tons
• Date Lost: November 25, 1883
• Place of Loss: East of Hungerford Point, Manitoulin Island, Lake Huron
• Lake: Huron

Vessel Type

Wooden three-masted schooner designed for the transport of bulk cargoes, particularly lumber, which was a primary commodity in the Great Lakes region during the late 19th century.

Description

The S. D. HUNGERFORD was built in 1866 by L. Reed in Stoney Creek, New York. At 137 feet in length and 267 gross tons, the Schooner was a medium-sized vessel designed to transport heavy cargoes such as lumber across the Great Lakes. Its robust construction and size made it suitable for navigating the unpredictable waters of Lake Huron and other inland seas of North America.

The vessel was part of the lumber trade boom that characterized much of the shipping activity in the Great Lakes during this period, ferrying timber from northern forests to growing urban centers in the United States and Canada.

History

The S. D. HUNGERFORD had a long and active career on the Great Lakes, but it was not without incident. In 1874, the Schooner was wrecked at Port Maitland, an event that resulted in the loss of three lives. Despite this tragedy, the vessel was repaired and returned to service, continuing to transport lumber and other goods across Lake Huron and beyond.

By 1883, the S. D. HUNGERFORD was engaged in another lumber-hauling voyage when it encountered its final, fateful storm.

Final Disposition

On November 25, 1883, while being towed by the Tug GLADIATOR on Lake Huron, the S. D. HUNGERFORD was caught in a severe gale. When the Tug developed engine trouble, the Schooner was cut loose to prevent further damage or loss of both vessels. In an effort to stay in deep water and avoid running aground, the crew of the S. D. HUNGERFORD dropped anchors. However, the gale proved too powerful, and the vessel was eventually driven ashore west of Owen Island, near Hungerford Point on Manitoulin Island.

The Schooner sank after striking the rocky coastline, but no lives were lost in this incident. The crew managed to make it ashore, where they faced the rugged and isolated coastline of Manitoulin Island. Remarkably, the crew survived for 19 days in harsh conditions before being rescued, a testament to their resilience and resourcefulness.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return. There are no confirmed reports of the S. D. HUNGERFORD‘s wreck being located. Given the ship’s proximity to Manitoulin Island, a known area for shipwrecks, it is possible that remnants of the vessel remain but have not been formally identified or explored.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil return. No current navigational hazards associated with this wreck are reported near Hungerford Point or Owen Island.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Great Lakes Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The S. D. HUNGERFORD‘s story highlights both the dangers of maritime navigation on the Great Lakes and the resilience of the crews who faced these challenges. From its wreck at Port Maitland in 1874, which claimed three lives, to its final sinking off Manitoulin Island in 1883, the vessel experienced the harsh realities of 19th-century shipping life. The crew’s 19-day survival on the remote shores of Manitoulin Island adds a remarkable human element to the Schooner’s history, emphasizing the peril and isolation that mariners often faced when disaster struck.