MAGNET U16318

Chronological History

The crew of the schooner MAGNET found themselves in a perilous situation, forcing them to abandon their vessel. The incident took place during a fierce storm on Lake Erie, witnessed by the steamer FRANK E. KIRBY from Sandusky. Around 9 o’clock in the evening, the KIRBY navigated through the treacherous waters near the islands, seeking shelter. It was then that they noticed a faint distress signal coming from the vicinity of Middle Sister Island. Acting swiftly, Captain Fox of the KIRBY altered course towards the signal and approached a small schooner, the MAGNET, which was struggling in the water.

From the MAGNET’s deck, Captain Fox heard a call for help. The KIRBY positioned itself as close as possible while maintaining safety, and the captain instructed the MAGNET’s crew to take to their 14-foot yawl boat. The yawl ventured toward the steamer, battling the turbulent waves. As it neared, a heaving line was thrown to the occupants, who managed to grasp it just as the sea engulfed their small boat. A life preserver was also tossed, and it was soon discovered that a woman was clinging to it. The sailors on the KIRBY quickly pulled her to safety as she was swept towards the gangway.

However, the three men in the yawl faced a more challenging situation. The line connecting them to the KIRBY had been lost overboard, and they were left adrift as the steamer’s attention focused on rescuing the woman. By the time the woman was safely aboard, the yawl had drifted about a mile away. Captain Fox promptly turned the KIRBY around and caught up to the yawl. Another line was thrown and caught by the men, who were then pulled aboard the steamer. Once on the KIRBY, the rescued individuals were provided with warm clothing and given stimulants to aid their recovery.

Upon reaching Detroit, the three crew members of the MAGNET, identified as Captain George E. Bennett, Albert McKee, and Leroy Fulgerson, all hailing from Port Huron, sought accommodations at the Wabash Hotel. The woman, who was Captain Bennett’s wife and served as a steward on the schooner, was given a berth on the KIRBY. The MAGNET, owned by W.E. Rice of Benton Harbor, Michigan, was a barge weighing 217 tons and measuring 145 feet in overall length and 24 feet in beam, according to the Shipmasters’ directory.

Additional historical information reveals that the MAGNET had a varied history. It was originally enrolled in Detroit in 1856 as a log rafting tug running between Saginaw, Michigan, and Port Colborne. In 1863, the vessel underwent significant reconstruction, transforming into a sidewheeler for salvage and wrecking purposes. It experienced several incidents over the years, such as collisions and sinkings, but was rebuilt or converted accordingly. Eventually, in 1890, it was converted into a schooner barge in Port Huron and ended up sinking in Lake Erie on September 12, 1900.

There was also another vessel named MAGNET, a paddle steamer with a different registration number (16318). It was built in East Saginaw, Michigan, in 1856 and later converted into a barge in 1879. This paddle steamer, with a gross tonnage of 235 tons, had a separate history and was not directly associated with the aforementioned MAGNET schooner.