IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION:
The Samuel Amsden was a two-masted wooden schooner built in 1862. With its robust design and sturdy construction, the vessel was a significant presence on Lake Huron, known for transporting cargoes such as lumber across the Great Lakes.
HISTORY:
The Samuel Amsden was constructed in 1862 by W. Quidder in Dunnville, Ontario, and initially owned by McBirney of Port Dover. The schooner measured 75.9 feet in length, 20.4 feet in beam, and had a depth of 8.2 feet, giving it a tonnage of 100 tons. It was primarily used for transporting lumber, a common cargo for vessels operating on the Great Lakes during this period.
In 1873, the Samuel Amsden underwent a rebuilding process in Dunnville, under the care of Shaw & Small. This rebuild reduced the vessel’s size to 82 tons, but it continued to serve on the Great Lakes.
The fateful day for the Samuel Amsden came on November 7, 1880, as it was sailing from Michael’s Bay on Manitoulin Island, bound for Goderich with a load of lumber. A fierce storm struck Lake Huron, driving the schooner ashore 3.5 miles north of the Saugeen River, Ontario. Despite the vessel’s strength, it could not withstand the relentless forces of nature and became a total wreck. Miraculously, no lives were lost in this tragic event, but the Samuel Amsden was irreparably damaged and never sailed again.
FINAL DISPOSITION:
The Samuel Amsden was driven ashore and wrecked in a storm on November 7, 1880, just north of the Saugeen River in Lake Huron. The vessel became a total loss, its remains scattered along the rugged shoreline. After its wreck, the Samuel Amsden was left to the elements, a stark reminder of the dangers of Great Lakes navigation.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES:
No specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) or advisories related to the Samuel Amsden wreck site are known. However, mariners should be aware of the general hazards posed by storms and shallow waters in the area.
LOCATED BY & DATE:
The final resting place of the Samuel Amsden is known to be 3.5 miles north of the Saugeen River in Lake Huron. No specific locating expedition or date of discovery is recorded.
RESOURCES & LINKS:
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- Great Lakes Ships
- John Weichel Research Files Index, A2006.179
- Sims History of Elgin County Vol 2
KEYWORDS:
Samuel Amsden, schooner, Lake Huron, Great Lakes shipwreck, lumber transport, Saugeen River, maritime history.
CONCLUSION:
The Samuel Amsden, a sturdy schooner built to brave the waters of Lake Huron, met its tragic end during a fierce storm in November 1880. Despite the valiant efforts of its crew, the vessel could not survive the unforgiving elements, ultimately succumbing to the lake’s relentless power. The story of the Samuel Amsden serves as a poignant reminder of the perils faced by those who navigated the Great Lakes in the 19th century. Its legacy lives on as a testament to the courage and determination of sailors who challenged the might of Lake Huron.
