Shipwreck Report: Schooner Samuel H. Foster (1873–1906)

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Samuel H. Foster
• Official Number: 115150
• Vessel Type: Three-Masted Wooden Schooner
• Built: 1873, by Lewis Lafrinier, Cleveland, Ohio
• Original Owner: Foster & Arnold, Cleveland, Ohio
• Primary Use: Grain and iron ore transport
• Specifications Length: 189.2 feet (57.7 meters) Beam: 33.58 feet (10.2 meters) Depth: 13 feet (4.0 meters)
• Gross Tonnage: 720.42 tons
• Net Tonnage: 684.4 tons
• Capacity: 44,200 bushels of grain
• Number of Masts: Three
• Hull Material: Wood

Operational History

The Samuel H. Foster was a large wooden Schooner designed for bulk freight transport on the Great Lakes. Enrolled in Cleveland, Ohio, on May 19, 1873, she primarily carried:

• Grain shipments from Buffalo, Duluth, and Chicago.
• Iron ore for the growing steel industry in cities like Cleveland, Detroit, and Pittsburgh.
• Other bulk cargoes, including Pig Iron and lumber.

By the late 19th century, the Samuel H. Foster had been towed frequently by steam-powered freighters, a common practice for large schooners transitioning from sail power to Barge service.

Notable Incidents Before Final Wreck

Fire Damage (1877)  Sustained minor fire damage in the Straits of Mackinac, requiring repairs.

Collision with Propeller James Fisk (1878)  Near Thunder Bay Island, Lake Huron, the Schooner collided with the steam propeller James Fisk, sustaining damage but remaining in service.

Sinking of Schooner Sunnyside (1883) On August 19, 1883, the Samuel H. Foster collided with the Schooner Sunnyside near North Fox Island, Lake Michigan, causing the Sunnyside to sink.

Grain Transport (1884)  Towed by the steambarge William Edwards along with the Barge Golden Age, carrying a massive grain shipment of 242,000 bushels from Buffalo, New York.

Aground with Pig Iron Cargo (1897)  Ran aground near Germania Park, Niagara River, while carrying Pig Iron, but was successfully released and repaired.

To Atlantic Coast (1898)  Unusual for Great Lakes schooners, the Foster was sent on a voyage to the Atlantic Coast, likely carrying cargo to East Coast ports.

Ownership Changes (1899–1903)

• 1899: Purchased by Rittenhouse & Embree Lumber Co., Chicago, Illinois.
• 1903: Owned by Calbick & Co., Chicago, Illinois, continuing in freight service.

Final Voyage and Loss (1906)

• Date of Loss: October 9, 1906
• Location: Misery Bay, near 14 Mile Point, Lake Superior
• Cause: Storm and grounding
• Cargo at Loss: None (empty voyage)
• Loss of Life: None (all seven crew members survived)
• Incident Details  The Samuel H. Foster was in tow behind the Steamer L.L. Barth, along with the Schooner-Barge Wayne. A strong storm (possibly a blizzard) developed over Lake Superior, creating heavy seas and high winds. Both the Foster and Wayne ran aground near 14 Mile Point, in an area known as Misery Bay, infamous for shipwrecks.
• The Foster was initially declared a Total Loss, but her crew escaped unharmed.

Wreck Site and Potential Remains

• Location: Misery Bay, near 14 Mile Point, Lake Superior.
• Current Condition:  The wooden Hull likely deteriorated over time, but remnants may still be found. Iron hardware, anchors, and other metal components could still be present on the lakebed.
• No confirmed modern dive surveys or discovery efforts have documented the wreck site.
• Potential for Discovery:  Sonar or underwater surveys in the 14 Mile Point area could detect wreckage from the Foster or Wayne. The site is located near other shipwrecks, increasing the likelihood of fragmented remains.

Legacy and Significance

Representative of Large 19th-Century Great Lakes Schooners  The Samuel H. Foster was part of a fleet of large three-masted schooners used for bulk cargo transport.  By the late 19th century, many sailing vessels were being converted into tow barges, allowing steamships to carry more cargo at reduced costs.

Another Victim of Lake Superior’s Harsh Storms  Lake Superior is notorious for violent storms, leading to hundreds of shipwrecks. The Foster’s loss at Misery Bay adds to the long history of maritime disasters in this area.

Connection to Other Great Lakes Shipping Disasters The Foster’s final wreck in 1906 was part of a larger storm event that also took down the Schooner-Barge Wayne.  The same storm affected multiple vessels, a common occurrence in Lake Superior’s unpredictable autumn weather.

Further Research and Resources

• Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (NOAA)  https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/thunderbay/ Investigates historical shipwrecks in Lake Huron and Lake Superior.
• Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum (Whitefish Point, MI) https://www.shipwreckmuseum.com Houses records and artifacts from Lake Superior shipwrecks.
• Michigan Shipwreck Research Association https://www.michiganshipwrecks.org Documents shipwrecks of Michigan-built vessels, including Schooner losses.
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes http://www.maritimehistoryofthegreatlakes.ca Contains historical records, ship lists, and ownership transfers.

Conclusion

The Samuel H. Foster (1873–1906) was a three-masted wooden Schooner that served for over 30 years as a grain, ore, and lumber carrier on the Great Lakes. She was in tow behind the Steamer L.L. Barth when a violent storm forced her aground at Misery Bay, Lake Superior, alongside the Schooner-Barge Wayne. While her crew survived, the vessel was declared a Total Loss, and her remains have never been fully documented. Today, the Foster’s final resting place remains a mystery, but her legacy as one of the last great wooden sailing ships of the Great Lakes endures.