Identification & Site Information

• Name: THOMAS H. HOWLAND
• Other Names: None reported
• Official Number: 24978
• Date Built and Launched: 1872
• Builder: Hanson & Scove, Manitowoc, Wisconsin
• Homeport: Buffalo, New York (at the time of its loss)
• Vessel Type: Three-masted wooden schooner
• Hull Materials: Wood
• Number of Decks: 1
• Power: Sail-powered
• Measurements: Length: 139 ft (42.4 m) Beam: 26 ft (7.9 m) Depth: 11 ft (3.4 m)
• Gross Tonnage: 299 tons
• Net Tonnage: 284 tons
• Primary Cargo: Coal, general freight

Vessel Type

The THOMAS H. HOWLAND was a large wooden three-masted schooner, built primarily for coal transport and general cargo on the Great Lakes. Schooners of this size were workhorses of 19th-century shipping, carrying bulk commodities such as:

• Coal (as seen in its final voyage)
• Lumber
• Grain

The vessel operated for nearly 30 years, surviving at least two major incidents before being Abandoned in 1921. The THOMAS H. HOWLAND had a long and eventful career, surviving severe storms, a near sinking in 1872, and an ice-related sinking in 1900 before eventually being Abandoned in 1921.

Key Events in the Vessel’s History:

• 1872: Built in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, by Hanson & Scove for coal and cargo transport.
• November 1872: Sprung a leak near Beaver Island, Lake Michigan, forcing the crew to seek help.
• The captain and mate went ashore for assistance, but the mate and a lighthouse keeper drowned in a rescue attempt.
• The HOWLAND and the remaining crew survived.
• May 12, 1900: Sank in Lake Erie after being cut through by ice while in tow of the Tug DANFORTH near Windmill Point.
• The crew escaped in the ship’s Yawl before it sank in 15 minutes.
• Despite being in deep water, wreckers later raised her and towed her into Buffalo, New York.
• During salvage, the wreckers damaged her significantly while removing her cargo.
• A legal battle followed, delaying her repair decision for months.
• 1921: After years of declining use, the THOMAS H. HOWLAND was Abandoned.

Final Disposition

The THOMAS H. HOWLAND sank on May 12, 1900, after being cut through by ice in Lake Erie, just four miles from Buffalo, New York.

The Disaster

• The vessel was carrying coal and being towed by the Tug DANFORTH when it struck ice and began to take on water.
• The crew safely escaped in the ship’s Yawl.
• Within 15 minutes, the HOWLAND had completely sunk in deep water off Windmill Point, Lake Erie.
• Despite its depth, wreckers raised the vessel, but in doing so, they caused extensive damage.
• Legal disputes over the wrecking process delayed repairs for months.
• The vessel was eventually put back into service but was later Abandoned in 1921.

Located By & Date Found

Nil return. There are no confirmed reports of the THOMAS H. HOWLAND‘s wreck being discovered or documented near Windmill Point, Lake Erie.

Since it was raised after sinking, it may no longer exist as a shipwreck. However, some remains could still be in the Buffalo area.

NOTMARs & Advisories

Nil return. No modern navigational hazards related to this wreck are reported near Windmill Point, Lake Erie.

Resources & Links

• Historical Databases:
• Maritime History of the Great Lakes
• Great Lakes Ships Database
• David Swayze Great Lakes Shipwreck File

Conclusion

The THOMAS H. HOWLAND was a durable Schooner that operated for nearly 50 years, experiencing multiple disasters before its eventual abandonment.

Its sinking in 1900 due to ice, followed by a controversial salvage operation, showcases the dangers of Great Lakes navigation in early spring when ice was still present.

With no confirmed wreck site, the HOWLAND remains one of Lake Erie’s lost vessels, but its history lives on through newspaper reports and maritime records.