The schooner “COASTER” was a two-masted wooden vessel originally built in 1861 in Conneaut, Ohio. It had a length of 57.7 feet, a beam of 16 feet, and a depth of 2.9 feet. Its tonnage was initially 22 tons (old style). The vessel was constructed by S.C. Blodgett under the supervision of Master Carpenter Smith.
In its history, the “COASTER” had undergone various changes in ownership and enrollment. It was initially enrolled in Cleveland, Ohio in 1861 and later in Toledo, Ohio from 1862 to 1868. It was readmeasured in 1865, with its gross tonnage recorded as 25.15 tons.
In 1869, there was an incident where a vessel named “COASTER” capsized in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, but it was subsequently recovered.
By 1870, the vessel was owned by Charles Beauvais of Swan Creek, Michigan. In 1879, it was registered in Chatham, Ontario, with the official number C71110. At that time, it measured 60 feet in length, 16 feet in beam, and 3.9 feet in depth. Its tonnage was 31.67 gross and net tons.
The “COASTER” met its unfortunate end on October 17, 1880. While sailing on Lake Erie off Point Pelee, it encountered a storm that caused it to strand and wreck. The vessel was lost, and it eventually broke up on November 4, 1880. The exact details of the loss, including any loss of life or cargo.
As a result of this incident, the registry for the “COASTER” was closed on November 10, 1880.
Sources:
- D. 0. T. Register
- “COASTER (1861, Scow Schooner)” Description Comments
