Wreck Report: Schooner GEORGE SHERMAN

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: GEORGE SHERMAN

• Type: Wooden Schooner

• Tonnage: 307 tons

• Year Built: 1862

• Place Built: Cleveland, Ohio

• Home Port: Cleveland, Ohio

• Ownership: Benham and others of Cleveland

Final Disposition

• Date of Loss: October 23, 1887

• Location: Shot Point, Lake Superior (approximately 10 miles from Marquette, Michigan)

• Cause: Ran aground during a severe storm

• Depth: Not specified

Vessel Type Description

The GEORGE SHERMAN was a wooden Schooner designed for cargo transport across the Great Lakes. Vessels of this type were integral to 19th-century commerce, capable of carrying bulk cargoes such as coal, grain, and timber. The GEORGE SHERMAN, with a tonnage of 307 tons, exemplified the durable yet vulnerable design of schooners navigating the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes.

History

Built in 1862 in Cleveland, Ohio, the GEORGE SHERMAN had a 25-year service history on the Great Lakes. At the time of its wreck in 1887, the Schooner was transporting a cargo of coal for Pickands & Co. of Marquette, Michigan. The vessel’s long service reflected its importance in the coal trade, a critical industry fueling Great Lakes cities and industries.

The Wreck Incident

On October 23, 1887, the GEORGE SHERMAN encountered a violent storm on Lake Superior. Battling the severe weather, the Schooner was ultimately driven aground on Shot Point, a rocky promontory near Marquette, Michigan.

The crew, unable to save the vessel, Abandoned ship in a Yawl boat and managed to reach safety, with no loss of life. The Schooner, however, sustained irreparable damage and was declared a Total Loss, with the property damage estimated at $6,500—a substantial sum for the era.

Cargo and Loss

• Cargo at Loss: Coal

• Estimated Property Loss: $6,500

The Schooner’s coal cargo was likely lost or rendered unrecoverable due to the grounding and subsequent structural damage to the vessel.

Current Condition & Accessibility

• The GEORGE SHERMAN remains grounded at Shot Point, though its condition is unknown. Given the passage of time, the wreckage has likely deteriorated significantly, potentially leaving little visible above the lakebed.

• The wreck’s shallow location near shore makes it an accessible site for underwater surveys or recreational divers, but sediment and natural decay may obscure remaining artifacts.

Significance

The wreck of the GEORGE SHERMAN is a testament to the hazards of Great Lakes navigation in the 19th century. Its loss underscores the challenges faced by Schooner crews, who often contended with unpredictable weather and limited technological resources. The vessel’s history is an enduring piece of Lake Superior’s rich maritime heritage.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes Database: Great Lakes Maritime History

• Shipwreck Records: Lake Superior shipwreck archives and historical maritime records

Tags

• Great Lakes Shipwrecks

• Lake Superior

• Schooner Wreck

• Shot Point Wreck

• 19th-Century Coal Trade

Conclusion

The wreck of the GEORGE SHERMAN on Shot Point serves as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by 19th-century sailors and the economic risks inherent in Great Lakes shipping. While the crew survived, the Schooner’s Total Loss marked the end of a significant chapter in the region’s maritime history. Today, the story of the GEORGE SHERMAN offers insights into the era’s challenges and the enduring legacy of Great Lakes commerce.