Other Names #
- Tim Baker
- T. Baker
History #
The TIMOTHY BAKER, often referred to as Tim Baker or T. Baker, was a wooden schooner built in 1857 by S. Ruggles in Milan, Ohio. It had an official number of 24156 and measured 122 feet in length, 25 feet in beam, and 10 feet in depth. The vessel weighed 224 gross tons and 215 net tons. Throughout its history, the Timothy Baker underwent several changes and repairs, including a major reconstruction in 1867 and significant repairs in 1882 after running aground at Windmill Point the previous fall.
On October 1, 1888, tragedy struck the Timothy Baker during a storm near Pelee Island in Lake Erie. The schooner, carrying a cargo of lumber, ran aground several miles below “The Dummy” (Bar Point Light). It is believed that the entire crew was lost in the incident. As a result of the storm, the vessel broke apart on October 8, 1888.
At the time of the loss, the Timothy Baker was owned by M. Scott and Shaw from Marine City. The ship had a history of changing ownership over the years. It was originally owned by Ruggles & Mowry in Milan, Ohio, and later passed through the hands of various owners in Cleveland, including John Weber, Fifield, and Radcliffe.
In November 1888, the enrollment of the Timothy Baker was surrendered in Port Huron, Michigan, as the vessel was deemed wrecked. Apart from its unfortunate end, there is additional information regarding an alleged assault and battery incident aboard the schooner involving the captain, Thomas Burke, and the mate, Hiram Henderson. The incident was reported by Angus Leach, a seaman on the Timothy Baker, who accused the captain and mate of assaulting him during the voyage. The case went through legal proceedings, including jurisdictional debates, and resulted in the captain being held accountable, while the mate settled separately.
In a separate incident in October 1887, the Timothy Baker ran aground in Toboco Bay, on the west shore of Saginaw Bay, while sailing under sail. Tugs were dispatched to free the vessel, which eventually arrived in Bay City and underwent repairs in drydock. Although the Timothy Baker experienced leaks, it was not severely damaged during this event.
The detailed information about the Timothy Baker and its history comes from various sources, including official records, newspapers, and historical documents.
