Identification & Site Information

• Vessel Name: Coaster

• Type: Two-Masted Wooden Schooner

• Location of Wreck: Off Point Pelee, Ontario, Lake Erie

• Coordinates: Not specified

• Depth: Not specified (vessel stranded and wrecked)

• Year Built: 1861

• Build Location: Conneaut, Ohio

• Hull Materials: Wood

• Builder: S.C. Blodgett, under the supervision of Master Carpenter Smith

• Original Owner: Not specified

• Official Number: C71110 (Canadian registry after 1868)

Vessel Specifications

• Length: Originally 57.7 feet, remeasured at 60 feet (18.3 meters)

• Beam (Width): 16 feet (4.9 meters)

• Depth: Originally 2.9 feet, later remeasured at 3.9 feet (1.2 meters)

• Gross Tonnage: Initially 22 tons (old measurement standard), later updated to 31.67 tons

• Net Tonnage: 31.67 tons

Vessel Type Description

The Coaster was a two-masted wooden Schooner, a relatively small vessel designed for coastal and short-haul trading on the Great Lakes. Its modest tonnage and shallow Draft allowed it to access smaller ports and navigate the region’s shallower waters, making it ideal for the 19th-century regional economy. Schooners like the Coaster were vital for transporting goods, ranging from lumber to general merchandise, between local ports.

Historical Background

• Construction and Initial Registration: Built in 1861 in Conneaut, Ohio, by S.C. Blodgett, the Coaster was initially enrolled in Cleveland, Ohio. During its operational years, the vessel’s registration shifted locations as it changed owners.

• Change in Registration and Ownership:

• From 1862 to 1868, the vessel was registered in Toledo, Ohio.

• Later, it was re-registered in Chatham, Ontario under Canadian registry with official number C71110.

• By 1870, ownership had transferred to Charles Beauvais of Swan Creek, Michigan.

• Capsize Incident: In 1869, there was a record of a vessel named Coaster capsizing in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron. Although the vessel was recovered, it is uncertain if this incident involved the same Schooner or another vessel sharing the name.

• Remeasurement in 1879: The Coaster was remeasured in 1879, updating its Gross Tonnage to 31.67 tons and length to 60 feet—slightly larger than its original specifications.

Final Voyage and Wreck Details

On October 17, 1880, the Coaster encountered a severe storm while navigating Lake Erie near Point Pelee, Ontario. The storm forced the vessel onto rocks, where it became stranded and sustained irreparable damage. The Coaster broke up further on November 4, 1880, marking its complete destruction.

• Date of Loss: October 17, 1880 (broke up on November 4, 1880)

• Cause of Loss: Stranded and wrecked due to a storm

• Salvage Operations: No salvage operations were reported

• Registry Closure: The vessel’s registry was officially closed on November 10, 1880

The specific details of the Coaster’s final cargo and the fate of its crew remain unclear, with no recorded information about any casualties or cargo loss. Its fate off Point Pelee highlights the treacherous conditions mariners faced on Lake Erie, particularly in the late autumn when storms could be sudden and fierce.

Legacy and Historical Context

The loss of the Coaster underscores the dangers faced by small trading vessels on the Great Lakes, particularly in regions with unpredictable weather like Point Pelee. Despite its modest size, the Coaster played a crucial role in the regional trade network of the 19th century, facilitating the movement of essential goods across local ports. The vessel’s unfortunate end during a storm illustrates the constant risks that 19th-century mariners confronted, especially those operating smaller schooners and scows in an era without modern navigation or weather forecasting.

Resources and Further Research

For those interested in exploring more about the Coaster and similar historical vessels, the following resources offer insights into the Great Lakes’ rich maritime history:

• Maritime History of the Great Lakes – A comprehensive digital archive with ship records, maritime incidents, and other historical data.

• Great Lakes Shipwreck Research – A collection of resources dedicated to shipwrecks on the Great Lakes.

• D.O.T. Register – Historical registries and documentation for Great Lakes vessels, including scows and schooners like the Coaster.

Conclusion

The Coaster’s loss off Point Pelee on October 17, 1880 highlights the challenges of navigating the Great Lakes in the 19th century, particularly for smaller vessels that formed the backbone of regional trade. Built in 1861, the Coaster served for nearly two decades, contributing to the economic activity of the Great Lakes before its untimely wreck in a storm. The closure of its registry on November 10, 1880, formally marked the end of a vessel that was emblematic of the courage and resilience of Great Lakes mariners.