Shipwreck Report: Schooner Commodore Foote

Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Commodore Foote

• Other Names: Rebuilt from Coleraine (1854)

• Vessel Type: Two-Masted Wooden Schooner

• Year Built: 1862

• Builder: Willard Kitts, Oswego, New York

• Dimensions:

• Length: 112 feet (34.1 meters)

• Beam: 23 feet (7 meters)

• Depth: 11 feet (3.4 meters)

• Tonnage: 254 tons

• Cargo at Loss: 13,800 bushels of wheat

• Final Voyage: November 21, 1867

• Location of Loss: Eastern Straits of Lake Huron

• Final Condition: Sunk after a collision with the Schooner John Kelderhouse

Vessel Type Description

The Commodore Foote was a two-masted Schooner designed for cargo transport, particularly grains and other bulk goods, across the Great Lakes. Built in 1862, the vessel represented the robust construction techniques of the era, featuring a wooden Hull designed to withstand the often-harsh conditions of Lake Huron. The Schooner was a key component of the maritime trade network, ferrying goods between ports like Milwaukee and Oswego.

History

• Construction and Early Service:

The Commodore Foote was constructed in Oswego, New York, on the Hull of an earlier vessel, the Coleraine (built in 1854). Its build quality and cargo capacity made it a critical asset in the bustling trade of the Great Lakes. It primarily transported grain and other agricultural products from the Midwest to ports along Lake Ontario.

• The Final Voyage:

On November 21, 1867, the Commodore Foote was sailing eastward through the Straits of Lake Huron, bound for Oswego, New York, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Schooner carried a heavy cargo of 13,800 bushels of wheat. As it navigated the eastern straits, it encountered the Schooner John Kelderhouse.

The Collision:

In a tragic miscalculation or navigational mishap, the two vessels collided. The impact was severe enough to compromise the Commodore Foote’s Hull, causing the Schooner to founder quickly. Despite the destruction, the crew managed to escape unharmed, ensuring there were no casualties in the incident.

Final Disposition

The Commodore Foote sank in the eastern Straits of Lake Huron, taking its cargo of wheat to the lakebed. The exact coordinates of the wreck are not well-documented, but it is presumed to rest in the straits.

NOTMARs & Advisories

• No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are specifically associated with the wreck site. However, mariners should always exercise caution in the eastern Straits of Lake Huron, given the historical presence of shipwrecks and challenging navigation conditions.

Current Condition & Accessibility

• Condition: The wreck of the Commodore Foote is likely heavily deteriorated, given its wooden construction and over 150 years of submersion.

• Accessibility: The precise location of the wreck is unknown, making it a less-frequented site for divers. Exploration of the area may yield clues, but Visibility and sediment conditions in the straits could pose challenges.

Legacy

The story of the Commodore Foote reflects the risks and challenges of Great Lakes maritime trade in the 19th century. Its tragic loss underscores the dangers of navigating busy waterways, where collisions and rapidly changing weather conditions were ever-present threats. The Schooner’s crew’s survival is a testament to their skill and resolve.

Resources & Links

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes

• NOAA Great Lakes Wreck Database

• Oswego Maritime Archives

Keywords

#CommodoreFoote #LakeHuronShipwreck #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #19thCenturySchooner #StraitsOfLakeHuron #WheatCargo #SchoonerCollision