Other Names
- L.D. COMAN
- L.D. COWAN
The schooner L.D. Coman, also occasionally seen as L.D. Cowan, was a wooden schooner built in 1848 by Carrick & Wilkes in Erie, Pennsylvania. It had a tonnage of 165 and was originally owned by C.M. Tibbats in Erie. The vessel operated as a schooner, typically engaged in carrying cargo.
The L.D. Coman’s history includes several notable events. It was owned by various individuals and underwent repairs and modifications over the years. In 1863, it was considerably damaged by a collision in the Detroit River but was subsequently repaired.
Tragedy struck on April 29, 1865, when the L.D. Coman was wrecked during a storm near Point aux Barques (Port Austin) on Lake Huron. Efforts were made to rescue the vessel using the tug W.K. Muir, but due to the severity of the situation and the ship’s condition, the rescue attempt was unsuccessful. The schooner ultimately broke up and was lost by May 6, 1865.
The details of the cargo it may have been carrying or whether there was any loss of life during the wreck are not provided in the available information. The vessel’s history serves as a reminder of the challenges and risks faced by ships navigating the Great Lakes during the 19th century.
