Identification & Site Information

• Name: White Star
• Former Names: J. Maria Scott (until 1884)
• Official Registration Number: 75610
• Date Built and Launched: Built in 1874 by G. Goble in Oswego, New York
• Measurements:
  • As a Schooner:
    • Length: 136 ft (41.5 m) Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m) Depth: 12 ft (3.7 m) Gross Tonnage: 349 tons Net Tonnage: 331 tons
  • As a propeller (after Rebuild):
    •  Length: 136 ft (41.5 m) Beam: 27 ft (8.2 m)Depth: 12 ft (3.7 m) Gross Tonnage: 378 tons Net Tonnage: 281 tons
• First Loss: 1887 – Schooner White Star
  • Date of Loss: November 24, 1887 (some sources state December 1, 1887)
  • Place of Loss: Near Point Pelee, Lake Erie
  • Type of Loss: Storm
  • Carrying: Coal
• Final Loss: 1901 – Propeller White Star
  • Date of Loss: March 9, 1901
  • Place of Loss: At the foot of Court Street, Port Huron, Michigan
  • Lake: Lake Huron
  • Type of Loss: Fire

Incident Details

The White Star, originally built as the J. Maria Scott in 1874 and renamed in 1884, encountered a severe gale and fogwhile transporting coal across Lake Erie. Near Point Pelee, the Schooner struck a sandbar and was subsequently driven over it by large waves, eventually sinking in the shallows.

The crew faced harrowing conditions, lashing themselves to the rigging to avoid drowning as the vessel partially submerged. After 19 hours, they were rescued by local fishermen, surviving the ordeal despite the intense weather and cold conditions.

The White Star was initially Abandoned as unsalvageable, but in an extraordinary feat considered one of the greatest salvage operations of the time, the vessel was recovered the following year. This recovery was a remarkable achievement, given the technological limitations of the era.

Rebuild and Conversion to Propeller (1888)

Following its recovery in 1888, the White Star was Rebuilt and converted from a Schooner to a propeller-driven bulk freighter. This transformation allowed the vessel to continue serving in the bulk freight trade, now with the capability to carry heavier loads and navigate more efficiently, adapting to the evolving demands of Great Lakes shipping.

Collision with Vanderbilt (1899):

In May 1899, the White Star, now operating as a propeller-driven bulker, was involved in a collision with the Propeller Steamer Vanderbilt near Star Island in the St. Clair River. The collision caused the White Star to sink, though details about the extent of the damage and any salvage efforts are sparse. The vessel was presumably recovered, as it continued to operate until 1901.

While docked in Port Huron, a fire broke out aboard the White Star. The vessel’s skipper ordered the ship scuttled in an attempt to save her from total destruction, a common tactic intended to extinguish onboard fires by submerging the Hull. However, these efforts were too late, and the vessel was burned to a constructive Total Loss.

Despite the loss of the vessel itself, her engine was salvaged and later installed in a Tug by James Reid, ensuring that part of the White Star continued to contribute to Great Lakes maritime operations.

Ownership

The White Star was originally owned by Cummings and Griffin of Oswego, New York, during its time as a Schooner. Ownership likely changed hands during and after its Conversion to a propeller-driven freighter, though detailed ownership records during its final years are limited.

Final Disposition

After the 1901 fire, the White Star was declared a constructive Total Loss and was not Rebuilt. The vessel’s engine was salvaged and repurposed, but the Hull and remaining structure were likely scrapped or left submerged at Port Huron.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No specific navigational warnings related to the White Star have been issued, though the Port Huron area remains a historically significant maritime hub with numerous shipwrecks and underwater hazards.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Maritime Database
• David Swayze Shipwreck File
• Oswego Maritime History

Conclusion

The White Star’s story reflects the resilience and adaptability of Great Lakes vessels during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Originally launched as the J. Maria Scott in 1874, the vessel faced multiple disasters, including a storm-related sinking near Point Pelee in 1887, a collision in the St. Clair River in 1899, and finally a fire in Port Huron in 1901.

Despite these challenges, the vessel was recovered, Rebuilt, and converted into a propeller-driven bulk freighter, illustrating the lengths to which shipowners would go to preserve valuable maritime assets. The salvage of the White Star after her 1887 wreck was considered one of the greatest salvage feats of its time, highlighting the innovative spirit and determination of Great Lakes mariners and salvors.

The White Star’s legacy is a testament to the hardiness of Schooner and freighter crews who braved the unpredictable waters of the Great Lakes, and her multiple lives serve as a fascinating chapter in the history of Great Lakes maritime commerce.

Suggested Keywords: White Star Schooner, J. Maria Scott, Port Huron shipwrecks, Point Pelee shipwrecks, Great Lakes salvage history, Schooner to propeller Conversion, Lake Erie shipwrecks, St. Clair River collisions.

Categories: Shipwrecks of Lake Erie, Shipwrecks of Lake Huron, Wooden Schooners of the Great Lakes, Propeller Bulk Freighters, Great Lakes Salvage History.

Glossary Terms: Schooner-to-Propeller Conversion, Constructive Total Loss, Ship Scuttling, Great Lakes Coal Transport, Maritime Salvage Feats.