Title: The Tragic End of the Schooner F.B. Gardner: A Dangerous Obstruction to Navigation
Introduction:
The year was 1904, and the schooner F.B. Gardner, once a sturdy vessel that had weathered the storms of Lake Huron for nearly half a century, met its tragic end in a devastating fire. As it was being towed by the propeller D. Leuty, a spark of flame ignited, quickly engulfing the ship. Despite the valiant efforts of both crews, the F.B. Gardner was doomed, and its crew was forced to abandon the vessel. The once-proud schooner now lies beneath the surface of Lake Huron, posing a dangerous obstruction to navigation. This article delves into the history of the F.B. Gardner, the events leading up to its fiery demise, and the efforts to remove it as an obstacle to maritime traffic.
A Vessel’s History:
The F.B. Gardner was a resilient vessel, classified as both a bark and a schooner throughout its career. It was officially registered under the number 9198 and carried the signal letters “_.” Built in the picturesque town of Little Sturgeon, Wisconsin, in 1855, the schooner boasted an impressive length of 177.2 feet, a beam of 31.3 feet, and a depth of 10.0 feet. With a gross tonnage of 402.71 tons and a net tonnage of 382.57 tons, the F.B. Gardner was well-equipped to carry various cargoes across the Great Lakes.
The vessel’s early years were spent operating out of Chicago, Illinois, and it was later homeported in Buffalo, New York. Over the years, it earned recognition in the Merchant Vessel List from 1866 to 1885, signifying its prominence in maritime trade during that period. Owned by J.C. Pringle of St. Clair, Michigan, the schooner was undoubtedly an essential asset in the bustling maritime industry.
The Fatal Voyage:
On a fateful day in September 1904, disaster struck the F.B. Gardner as it embarked on what would be its final voyage. Towed by the propeller D. Leuty, the schooner was on its way up Lake Huron when, around noon, a fire was discovered on board. The alarm quickly spread, and both crews of the F.B. Gardner and D. Leuty acted swiftly to combat the flames. However, their efforts proved futile as the fire rapidly consumed the vessel.
Facing imminent peril, the crew of the F.B. Gardner was forced to evacuate the burning ship and seek refuge on the D. Leuty. Tragically, the Gardner met its watery grave soon after, sinking two miles from the shore and seven miles above Sanilac. The only remnants of the once-proud schooner were the tops of its spars, which jutted precariously above the water’s surface.
A Dangerous Obstruction:
As the schooner F.B. Gardner succumbed to the depths of Lake Huron, it became an ominous danger to vessels navigating the waters of the Great Lakes. The wreck, submerged beneath the surface, posed a hazardous obstacle for passing ships. The tops of the masts protruding from the water’s depths served as an eerie reminder of the tragic event that had unfolded.
Efforts for Salvage and Resolution:
In the aftermath of the disaster, concerns arose about the navigational hazards posed by the sunken F.B. Gardner. To address the issue, the U.S. Engineer Maj. Beach received word that the wreck had been removed to a depth of 35 feet below the surface, rendering it no longer a threat to passing vessels.
Conclusion:
The schooner F.B. Gardner may have met a tragic end in the flames of Lake Huron, but its legacy lives on as a cautionary tale of the perils faced by vessels that traverse the Great Lakes. Once a proud workhorse of maritime trade, it now lies in its watery grave, a reminder of the ever-present dangers that sailors and vessels face on the unforgiving waters of the Great Lakes. As we pay tribute to the memory of the F.B. Gardner and its brave crew, we also honor the tireless efforts of those who have worked to safeguard maritime navigation for generations to come.
