IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION

•Vessel Name: B.M. Baker

•Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge

•Official Number: 31217

•Built: 1869

•Builder: G. Hardison, Charlotte, New York

•Dimensions:

•Length: 115.2 feet (35.1 meters)

•Beam: 25.4 feet (7.7 meters)

•Depth: 8.8 feet (2.7 meters)

•Gross Tonnage: 186 tons

•Net Tonnage: 181 tons

•Final Location: Springwells (Ecorse), Michigan, Detroit River

•Date of Wreck: May 29, 1890

•Depth at Wreck: Not specified

VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION

The B.M. Baker was a Schooner-Barge, a type of unpowered vessel designed to be towed by steamers. Commonly used in the lumber trade, Schooner-barges like the B.M. Baker were essential in transporting timber and other bulk goods across the Great Lakes. The vessel’s wooden construction and design made it a versatile workhorse for the bustling lumber trade routes of the late 19th century.

HISTORY

The B.M. Baker was constructed in 1869 by G. Hardison in Charlotte, New York. Initially owned by J.B. Estes of Rochester, New York, the vessel was part of the growing maritime commerce along the Great Lakes. By 1879, ownership had transferred to S. Scott of Detroit, Michigan, and the Schooner-Barge was actively involved in the Saginaw lumber trade under the ownership of A.A. Pinit of East Saginaw, Michigan, in 1881.

The B.M. Baker played a significant role in transporting lumber across the Great Lakes, a critical commodity during the late 19th century for construction and industrial growth in the United States and Canada. The vessel’s typical cargo capacity, approximately 185,000 board feet of lumber, underscored its importance in the timber trade.

FINAL INCIDENT

On May 29, 1890, while en route from Port Huron to Toledo with a full cargo of lumber and lath, the B.M. Baker was wrecked near Springwells (Ecorse), Michigan, in the Detroit River. Reports from the time described the Stern of the vessel as being completely carried away, rendering the Schooner-Barge unserviceable.

Despite the severe damage, the lumber cargo was successfully removed, with much of it reportedly transferred to the damaged vessel John Sherman. By June 1891, salvage efforts to recover the cargo had been completed, but the vessel itself was not Rebuilt or returned to service.

The B.M. Baker remained in a state of disrepair until 1896, when it was officially reported as lost. The absence of a Rebuild or further attempts to salvage the vessel highlights the extent of the damage and the economic impracticality of restoring it.

CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY

The exact resting place of the B.M. Baker has not been documented, and the vessel is considered lost. Given the timeline and nature of its destruction, the remains are likely scattered or entirely decomposed within the Detroit River, a high-traffic and sediment-heavy area.

RESOURCES & LINKS

•Great Lakes Ships: Detailed ship records and historical insights.

•David Swayze Shipwreck File: Comprehensive database of Great Lakes shipwrecks and maritime history.

CONCLUSION

The story of the B.M. Baker reflects the challenges and hazards faced by Schooner-barges on the Great Lakes during the late 19th century. Despite its contributions to the timber trade, the vessel met an untimely end in the Detroit River. While its wreck has faded into history, the B.M. Baker remains a testament to the industriousness of the Great Lakes maritime trade and the ever-present risks of navigating these waters.

KEYWORDS

B.M. Baker, Schooner-Barge, Detroit River, Springwells, Great Lakes shipwreck, lumber trade, 19th-century maritime history, G. Hardison, Charlotte NY, A.A. Pinit, shipwreck exploration.