SS Samuel Mather (1887): A Tale of Tragedy and Exploration

IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

• •Name: SS Samuel Mather
• •Vessel Type: Wooden Bulk Freighter
• •Year Built: 1887
• •Builder: Not specified
• •Owner: Pickands, Mather Company (later Samuel Mather and Interlake Transportation Company)
• •Length: 246 feet (74.98 meters)
• •Beam: 40 feet (12.19 meters)
• •Depth: 19.3 feet (5.88 meters)
• •Propulsion: Steam-powered with a single propeller
• •Cargo (Final Voyage): 58,000 bushels of wheat
• •Final Location: Whitefish Bay, Lake Superior, 8 miles north of Point Iroquois
• •Date of Loss: November 22, 1891
• •Coordinates: 46^o 34.263′ N 84^o 42.357′ W

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The SS Samuel Mather was a wooden-hulled bulk freighter designed to transport large quantities of grain, coal, or iron ore across the Great Lakes. Its construction marked the later years of wooden freighter production, as steel ships were becoming more common. The Mather’ssize and steam propulsion made it a workhorse for Great Lakes commerce, despite its relatively short operational lifespan.

HISTORY

Construction and Early Career (1887):

•Launched in 1887, the SS Samuel Mather was owned by the Pickands, Mather Company and registered in Cleveland, Ohio.

•Machinery issues during its maiden voyage required the Tug Mystic to tow the vessel to Sault Ste. Marie for repairs.

Ownership Changes and Legal Troubles (1888–1890):

•Ownership passed to Samuel Mather in 1888 and later to James Pickard of Interlake Transportation Company.

•In 1890, the Mather collided with the Steamer Ohio, leading to a court case that added to its eventful operational history.

Final Voyage and Wreck (1891):

•On November 22, 1891, the Mather set sail from Duluth, Minnesota, to Buffalo, New York, carrying 58,000 bushels of wheat.

•In dense fog, the vessel collided with the steel package freighter Brazil in Whitefish Bay, creating an 11-foot gash in the starboard side.

•Within 25 minutes, the Mather sank, resulting in a Total Loss valued at over $226,000. Remarkably, no lives were lost among the twenty crew members.

DISCOVERY AND MODERN SIGNIFICANCE

Discovery (1978):

The wreck of the Samuel Mather was discovered in May 1978 by Bob Smith of Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Diving and Documentation:

•The wreck is well-preserved and offers a rare example of a wooden freighter on the lakebed.

•It has become a popular scuba diving site, attracting explorers and historians.

•The Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society (GLSHS) documented the wreck extensively, emphasizing its historical significance.

Artifact Controversy:

In the 1980s, artifacts were illegally removed from the wreck. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources raided the GLSHS in 1992, confiscating the items. These artifacts are now owned by the State of Michigan and displayed at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum under a loan agreement.

Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve:

The wreck is part of the Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve, an underwater museum that protects and celebrates Great Lakes maritime history.

FINAL DISPOSITION

The Mather lies on the bothttps://shotlinediving.com/wp-content/uploads/52895851813_b64678c0f7_c.jpg of Whitefish Bay in Lake Superior, its cargo and structure largely intact. The site serves as a window into the era of wooden freighters, illustrating the challenges and triumphs of Great Lakes navigation.

NOTMARs & ADVISORIES

•The wreck is within a protected area of the Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve.

•Divers must exercise caution, as the site has claimed the lives of three divers over the years.

RESOURCES & LINKS

• •Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• •Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum
• •Whitefish Point Underwater Preserve
• 3DShipwrecks – Samuel Mather

KEYWORDS

#Samuel Mather #Wooden Freighter #Whitefish Bay #Great Lakes Shipwreck #Maritime History #Scuba Diving #Lake Superior

CONCLUSION

The SS Samuel Mather exemplifies the transition from wooden to steel vessels on the Great Lakes, representing an era of remarkable growth and innovation in maritime commerce. Its tragic sinking in 1891 highlights the inherent risks of Great Lakes navigation, especially in adverse conditions. Rediscovered and celebrated as a historical treasure, the wreck of the Mather continues to draw divers, researchers, and history enthusiasts, preserving the memory of a bygone era in Great Lakes shipping.

3D Model – Samuel Mather

Samuel Mather by 3DShipwrecks on Sketchfab