Identification & Site Information

• • Name, Former Names: Samuel Bolton (also referred to as Sam D. Bolton or Samuel Bolten)
• • Registration Number(s): None recorded
• • Date Built and Launched: 1867 by G. Carpenter in Bangor, Michigan
• • Measurements: Length 150.2 feet (50 meters), Beam 30.4 feet (9.3 meters), Depth 9.2 feet (2.8 meters)
• • Gross Tonnage: 330; Net Tonnage: 314
• • Date Lost, Destroyed, Abandoned: September 19, 1893

Vessel Type

Wooden Schooner-Barge, originally constructed as a three-masted Schooner and later converted into a towable Schooner-Barge.

Description

The Samuel Bolton was a robust wooden Schooner, later modified to serve as a Barge for towing operations. It was primarily used for transporting bulk cargo, including lumber. Its large size and adaptability made it a valuable asset in the maritime trade of the Great Lakes during the late 19th century.

History

Construction and Early Ownership

Built in 1867 in Bangor, Michigan, the Samuel Bolton began its life as a three-masted Schooner under the ownership of J. M. Ballentine & Co. of Detroit, Michigan. Over the years, it changed hands, with owners including the Candler Brothers and Brazil Hoose, both of Detroit.

Final Voyage

On September 19, 1893, the Samuel Bolton was part of a lumber-carrying convoy towed in stormy and foggy conditions, likely en route from Cheboygan to Tonawanda. The dense fog and rough waters caused the vessel to break free from its tow. It drifted ashore near Richmondville, Michigan, where it struck land with devastating force.

The impact split the vessel in two, and the pounding waves further disintegrated the structure. By September 21, valuable components were salvaged, and the wreck was Abandoned.

Discovery

A vessel believed to be the Samuel Bolton was rediscovered near Richmondville in 1960, confirming its final resting place and bringing renewed interest to its story.

Final Disposition

The wreck lies near Richmondville, Michigan, in shallow water. It has been stripped of valuable materials, but remains serve as a historical artifact, symbolizing the perilous conditions of maritime trade on Lake Huron.

Located By & Date Found

Believed to have been rediscovered in 1960 near Richmondville, Michigan. The exact discoverers and circumstances of the find are undocumented.

GPS Coordinates

• 43° 35.480’ N, 82° 28.204’ W

View on Google Maps

NOTMARs & Advisories

Accessible in shallow water near Richmondville, Michigan, at approximately 9 feet (3 meters) of depth. The site is suitable for exploration, but caution should be exercised due to potential hazards like debris and unpredictable weather conditions on Lake Huron.

Resources & Links

• • David Swayze Shipwreck File
• • Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• • Great Lakes Ships Database
• • Michigan Preserve

Legacy

The Samuel Bolton’s loss highlights the risks inherent to Great Lakes navigation during the late 19th century. The vessel’s transformation from Schooner to Barge illustrates the adaptive strategies employed to meet growing trade demands, while its tragic end serves as a reminder of the dangers of dense fog and stormy waters. Today, the wreck remains a site of historical interest, preserving a fragment of Lake Huron’s maritime heritage.