Identification & Site Information

• Name: F.B. Gardner
• Type: Schooner, later classified as a Bark
• Official Number: 9198
• Signal Letters: Unknown
• Year Built: 1855
• Builder: Constructed in Little Sturgeon, Wisconsin

Dimensions:

• Length: 177.2 feet (54 meters)
• Beam: 31.3 feet (9.5 meters)
• Depth: 10.0 feet (3 meters)
• Tonnage:
• Gross Tonnage: 402.71 tons
• Net Tonnage: 382.57 tons

• Home Port: Originally operated out of Chicago, Illinois; later registered in Buffalo, New York

• Final Wreck Location: Approximately two miles from shore and seven miles above Sanilac, Lake Huron

Vessel Type Description

The F.B. Gardner was a robust wooden Schooner, later reclassified as a Bark, designed to handle the Great Lakes’ cargo demands. With a single Deck and large cargo holds, it was well-suited for transporting various heavy goods across the lakes. Schooners and barks of this era were built for durability, withstanding storms and the wear of continuous travel on challenging waters. Her dimensions—177.2 feet in length, 31.3 feet in beam, and 10.0 feet in depth—highlight her substantial size and capacity, capable of withstanding years of hard service.

History

The F.B. Gardner was launched in 1855 in Little Sturgeon, Wisconsin, and initially served from Chicago, Illinois. Later, it was registered in Buffalo, New York, and played an essential role in the region’s maritime commerce. It appeared in the Merchant Vessel List from 1866 to 1885, symbolizing its importance to the Great Lakes trade network. Throughout its career, it carried a variety of cargoes essential to the development of cities along the Great Lakes. The vessel was owned by J.C. Pringle of St. Clair, Michigan, underscoring its regional significance as an asset within the bustling maritime industry of the 19th century.

The Fatal Voyage

In September 1904, the F.B. Gardner embarked on what would become its final journey. Towed by the propeller D. Leuty up Lake Huron, a fire ignited on board around midday. Despite the combined efforts of both the F.B. Gardner and D. Leuty crews to extinguish the blaze, the fire spread rapidly, consuming the vessel. Facing immediate peril, the crew was forced to abandon the F.B. Gardner and evacuate to the safety of the D. Leuty. The F.B. Gardner ultimately sank about two miles from shore and seven miles above Sanilac, with only the tops of its spars remaining visible above the water.

A Dangerous Obstruction

With the Schooner’s sinking, the remains of the F.B. Gardner posed a significant hazard for vessels in Lake Huron. The spars protruding from the water’s surface marked the site, but the wreck itself was a hidden danger for other ships in the area. Efforts to address the navigational hazard were quickly initiated to mitigate the risks posed by the sunken vessel.

Efforts for Salvage and Resolution

In response to the hazard, the U.S. Engineer Maj. Beach was notified of the situation. The wreck was subsequently removed to a depth of 35 feet below the surface, rendering it no longer a threat to passing vessels and ensuring safe navigation in the vicinity. These efforts allowed the wreck to rest safely on the lakebed, no longer posing a danger to those traveling the waters of Lake Huron.

Conclusion

The Schooner F.B. Gardner’s tragic end in flames off the shores of Lake Huron is a solemn reminder of the risks faced by Great Lakes mariners. The vessel’s journey from a stalwart cargo carrier to an underwater hazard underscores the often-unpredictable fate of those who traverse these waters. Today, the wreck of the F.B. Gardner serves as a historical marker, a symbol of both the resilience of Great Lakes vessels and the dangers they faced. The efforts to safely submerge its remains pay tribute to a ship and crew that contributed to the Great Lakes’ vibrant commercial heritage while highlighting the enduring commitment to navigational safety on these storied waters.

Resources & Links

• • Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Comprehensive records on shipwrecks, including the F.B. Gardner.
• • Merchant Vessel List Archives: Historical lists where the F.B. Gardner appeared between 1866-1885.
• • Local Historical Societies: Archival resources for additional insights into regional maritime history.
• • U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Records: Documentation on salvage operations in the Great Lakes, particularly the efforts to remove navigational hazards.
• 3DShipwrecks – F.B. Gardner

3D Model F.B. Gardner