Identification & Site Information

• Name: S.G. ANDREWS
• Also Known As: SAMUEL G. ANDREWS
• Official Number: 22340
• Type at Loss: Schooner, wood-hulled
• Date Built and Launched: 1856
• Builder: Hosea Rogers, Rochester, New York
• Measurements: 116 ft (35.4 m) length, 25 ft (7.6 m) beam, 9 ft (2.7 m) depth; 197 gross tons, 188 net tons
• Date Lost: October 12, 1885
• Place of Loss: Point Scott, Michigan
• Lake: Lake Michigan

Vessel Type

Wooden Schooner

Description

The S.G. ANDREWS was a mid-sized wooden Schooner designed for general cargo transport on the Great Lakes. Schooners like the S.G. ANDREWS were versatile workhorses, used for hauling various bulk materials, including lumber and agricultural products, crucial for the booming industries of the 19th century. The vessel underwent major repairs in 1882, suggesting it had seen extensive service and was well-maintained prior to its loss.

History

Built in 1856 by Hosea Rogers in Rochester, New York, the S.G. ANDREWS served nearly three decades on the Great Lakes, reflecting the durability and importance of wooden schooners during this era. The vessel was owned by Zimmans and operated out of Chicago, a major hub for Great Lakes shipping.

On October 12, 1885, while anchored near Point Scott, Michigan, waiting to load a cargo of cedar posts, the S.G. ANDREWS was struck by a gale. Despite being anchored, the vessel’s anchor chains parted under the force of the storm, causing the Schooner to be driven ashore. The crew was able to abandon the vessel safely, and no lives were lost.

Once ashore, the S.G. ANDREWS was driven high onto the beach. Efforts were made to salvage the vessel; the Moffat Line wrecking Tug MOCKING BIRD attempted to free her but ultimately Abandoned the effort as impossible. The Schooner was subsequently stripped and Abandoned by her crew. Given the extensive damage and her position on the shore, the cost of salvage outweighed the vessel’s remaining value.

Final Disposition

Driven ashore at Point Scott, Michigan during a gale, stripped and Abandoned after unsuccessful salvage attempts by the wrecking Tug MOCKING BIRD.

Located By & Date Found

Nil—the wreck of the S.G. ANDREWS was Abandoned onshore, and no further recovery efforts are recorded.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil—no current navigational advisories or obstructions related to the wreck site at Point Scott, Michigan.

Resources & Links

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

Conclusion

The loss of the S.G. ANDREWS illustrates the vulnerability of even well-maintained vessels to the unpredictable and often violent storms of the Great Lakes. Although the Schooner had undergone major repairs in 1882, she was no match for the gale that struck while she lay anchored off Point Scott. The fact that the MOCKING BIRD wrecking Tug attempted but failed to salvage her highlights the extent of the damage and the challenges of maritime recovery in the 19th century. Despite her abandonment, the S.G. ANDREWS‘s three-decade service reflects the importance and resilience of wooden schooners in Great Lakes commerce.

Keywords, Categories, and Glossary Terms

• Keywords: S.G. ANDREWS shipwreck, SAMUEL G. ANDREWS Schooner, Point Scott Michigan shipwreck, Lake Michigan Schooner loss, gale-driven shipwreck, Great Lakes maritime history, Moffat Line MOCKING BIRD Tug
• Categories: Lake Michigan Shipwrecks, Wooden Schooners, Storm-Related Shipwrecks, 19th Century Shipwrecks, Unsuccessful Salvage Attempts
• Glossary Terms:
• Gale: A strong wind, typically used to describe winds ranging from 34 to 47 knots (39 to 54 mph), capable of causing significant maritime hazards.
• Stripped and Abandoned: A term describing a vessel that has been salvaged of valuable materials but left unrecovered due to the impracticality of full salvage.
• Anchor Chains Parted: A condition in which the chains securing a vessel’s anchor break under stress, leading to the vessel drifting uncontrolled.