Shipwreck Report: S.D. Woodruff (1850–1873)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: S.D. Woodruff (originally built as Beaver, renamed in 1858)
• Official Number: Unknown (Canadian Registry)
• Vessel Type: Three-Masted Wooden Bark (Timber Trader)
• Built: 1850, by Du Bord, Quebec
• Final Location: Near Leamington, Ontario, Lake Erie
• Date Lost: October 15, 1873
• Cause: Driven ashore in a storm and pounded to pieces
• Final Cargo: Timber
• Loss of Life: None reported
• Specifications
  • Hull Material: Wood (copper-fastened)
  • Length: 138 feet (42.1 meters Beam: 23 feet (7.0 meters) Depth: 12 feet (3.7 meters)
  • Tonnage: 360 tons
• Owner: Out of Hamilton, Ontario
• Master at Loss: Unknown

Operational History

The S.D. Woodruff was originally built in Quebec as the Beaver in 1850. Designed for the Ocean Trade, the vessel was copper-fastened, making it more resistant to marine conditions. Primarily engaged in timber trading, the Bark transported lumber and bulk freight between Canadian and American ports.  In 1858, the vessel was extensively Rebuilt by J&J Abbey at Port Robinson, Ontario, and renamed S.D. Woodruff.

She had a history of maritime accidents: December 1856: Wrecked on Braddock Point, Lake Ontario, and was originally thought to be a Total Loss, but was later salvaged and repaired.1852 & 1858: Major repairs and rebuilds, indicating that the vessel had already endured significant wear before her final loss in 1873.

Final Voyage & Loss (October 15, 1873)

 Caught in a Storm near Leamington, Ontario: The S.D. Woodruff was navigating Lake Erie, laden with timber, when she was caught in a severe autumn storm.The storm drove her ashore, leaving the vessel stranded near Leamington.

Destroyed by Waves: The pounding surf quickly broke apart the wooden Hull, rendering the ship a Total Loss. She wrecked near the Steamer J.D. Crowe, which also succumbed to the storm. Fortunately, the crew survived, though the ship was completely destroyed.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: Near Leamington, Ontario, Lake Erie
• Depth: Likely in shallow water, as she was driven ashore
• Current Condition:
  • Given that the S.D. Woodruff was pounded to pieces, few, if any, remains exist today.
  • Fragments of timber and fastenings may be buried along the shoreline or scattered offshore.
• Exploration & Archaeological Interest:
  • No modern discoveries of the wreck site have been recorded.
  • Due to shifting sands and erosion, locating any remnants would be difficult.
• Historical records may provide further insight into the exact location of the wreck.

Legacy and Significance

Example of a Timber Trader’s End Many vessels like the S.D. Woodruff were built for the timber trade, which was one of the dominant industries in 19th-century Great Lakes shipping.Heavy loads and aging wooden hulls made these ships highly vulnerable to storms.

A Ship with Multiple Near-Disasters  The vessel nearly met its end in 1856, when she wrecked on Braddock Point, Lake Ontario. Despite repairs, her structural integrity was compromised, making her eventual loss in 1873 almost inevitable.

The Dangers of Late-Season Sailing on Lake Erie Lake Erie is notorious for its violent autumn storms, which often claim heavily loaded vessels. The S.D. Woodruff’s wreck near Leamington was part of a storm that also destroyed the Steamer J.D. Crowe.

A Forgotten Wreck Because the wreck was broken up by waves, S.D. Woodruff is not a well-known shipwreck today. However, its story is a reminder of the harsh realities faced by Great Lakes mariners in the age of wooden sailing ships.

Further Research and Resources

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.caDatabase of Great Lakes shipwrecks, including those in Ontario waters.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (Whitefish Point, Michigan) https://www.shipwreckmuseum.com Preserves records on shipwrecks in the Great Lakes region.
• Western Lake Erie Shipwreck Research Leamington area maritime history may hold more details about the S.D. Woodruff wreck site.

Conclusion

The S.D. Woodruff was a veteran wooden Bark, built in 1850 and serving for over two decades in the Great Lakes timber trade.

Her final journey in 1873 ended when she was driven ashore near Leamington, Ontario, during a storm and pounded to pieces by waves.

Though little remains of the wreck today, her history highlights the dangers of late-season storms on Lake Erie and the fragility of aging wooden ships.