Identification & Site Information

• •Vessel Name: EUREKA
• •Former Names: CANADA (British Steam Barge), SCHILDE (Schooner)
• •Type: Wooden Schooner
• •Year Built: 1872
• •Builder: Hamilton, Ontario
• •U.S. Official Number: 116578
• •Dimensions: Gross Tonnage – 338 tons
• •Final Location: Lake Huron, near Kincardine, Ontario
• •Date of Wreck: November 8, 1901
• •Coordinates: Not specified

Vessel Type Description

The EUREKA was a wooden Schooner originally built in 1872 in Hamilton, Ontario. Over its lifetime, the vessel underwent changes in design and purpose, having started as a steam Barge under the name CANADA before being converted to a Schooner named SCHILDEand later renamed EUREKA. With a Gross Tonnage of 338 tons, the EUREKA was primarily engaged in coastwise trade, often transporting lumber to Lake Erie and returning with coal.

History

The EUREKA served as a versatile cargo vessel throughout its career on the Great Lakes. Owned by Elizabeth Ragan of Port Huron, Michigan, the Schooner played a vital role in regional trade, contributing to the transport of essential goods such as lumber and coal. Its crew, comprised of experienced sailors, faced the perils of Great Lakes navigation with resilience.

Final Voyage and Tragedy

On November 8, 1901, the EUREKA was caught in a severe gale on Lake Huron. Battling heavy seas, the vessel became waterlogged and eventually succumbed to the relentless pounding of the waves. As the Schooner broke apart, the crew constructed a makeshift raft to escape the wreck.

The crew’s harrowing ordeal on the raft culminated in their arrival at the shore two miles north of Kincardine, Ontario, at 6:00 AM the following morning. Tragically, Mrs. Arthur Baker, the wife of the mate and the vessel’s cook, was swept overboard during the night and drowned. The surviving crew members were:

•Henry Hughes: Captain, from Port Huron

•Arthur Baker: Mate, from Cheboygan

•Fred Carpenter: Seaman, from Alpena

•James Sharkley: Seaman, from Alpena

Operational History

The EUREKA had been a frequent traveler on Lake Huron, hauling lumber to Lake Erie and returning with coal, supporting the economic growth of the Great Lakes region. Its loss was a poignant reminder of the hazards faced by those navigating these inland seas during an era of rudimentary weather forecasting and limited rescue capabilities.

Final Disposition

•Cause of Loss: Gale-induced waterlogging and structural failure

•Location of Wreck: Off the coast of Kincardine, Ontario, Lake Huron

•Status: Broken apart and presumed scattered; no intact wreck site documented

Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) & Advisories

There are no specific current advisories or NOTMARs associated with the wreck of the EUREKA. The remnants, if any, would be unmarked and scattered due to the violent conditions during the wreck.

Legacy

The story of the EUREKA serves as a somber reminder of the challenges faced by Great Lakes sailors at the turn of the 20th century. The tragedy of Mrs. Baker’s death highlights the dangers not only for the professional crew but also for families who often accompanied sailors on their voyages.

Resources & Links

1.Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive records of shipwrecks and maritime events in the Great Lakes region.

2.Great Lakes Ships Database: Cataloguing vessel histories, including the EUREKA.

3.David Swayze Shipwreck File: Detailed accounts of Great Lakes shipwrecks.

Keywords

•Lake Huron

•Kincardine

•Schooner EUREKA

•Great Lakes Shipwrecks

•Maritime Tragedy

•Early 20th Century Trade

Conclusion

The EUREKA encapsulates the perils of Great Lakes shipping in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its loss in the 1901 gale, along with the tragic death of Mrs. Baker, remains a poignant chapter in the annals of maritime history. The resilience of its crew and the vessel’s storied past as the CANADA and SCHILDE add depth to its legacy, serving as a testament to the courage of those who sailed the Great Lakes in pursuit of prosperity and progress.