Identification & Site Information #
Vessel Type Description #
The David Stewart was a wooden-hulled schooner designed for the rigors of Great Lakes navigation. With a registered tonnage of 518 tons, the vessel was a substantial presence on the waters, transporting various goods and materials across the lakes. Its three-masted design and significant length made it well-suited for the transportation demands of the late 19th century. The schooner was known for its resilience, having survived multiple groundings and incidents throughout its operational life.
History #
The David Stewart had a long and eventful history marked by several ownership changes, incidents, and near-tragedies. Built in Cleveland, Ohio, the schooner served various owners and routes across the Great Lakes, demonstrating both its utility and the challenges of maritime life during that era.
In 1868, the David Stewart experienced two significant groundings: first on Peach Island in the Detroit River, and later on Pilot Island in Green Bay. Despite these incidents, the vessel was successfully refloated and continued its service, demonstrating the resilience of both the ship and its crew.
By 1891, the vessel was owned by John W. Squires of Marine City, Michigan. During this period, the David Stewartencountered another serious incident when it ran ashore near Geneva, Ohio, during a gale. The schooner was once again released, allowing it to continue its operations.
However, the David Stewart‘s fate was sealed on October 6, 1893, during a severe southwest gale that swept over Lake Erie. The vessel, along with another schooner, anchored off the west side of Point Pelee, attempting to ride out the storm. For most of the day, the schooners battled the fierce winds and high waves, their lights visible as they weathered the storm.
Tragically, at 11:00 p.m., the lights of the vessels suddenly vanished, and by the next morning, the true extent of the disaster became clear. The David Stewart had sunk within 250 yards of the shore, leaving five men and one woman clinging to the rigging in the midst of powerful waves. They spent fourteen harrowing hours in the rigging before being rescued by the fishing tug Louise from Sandusky.
The loss of the David Stewart was total, with the vessel and its cargo, valued at approximately $18,000, being entirely lost to the storm. The crew’s survival was a testament to their resilience and the quick response of the Louise, but the ship itself was abandoned in place, marking the end of its long and storied career on the Great Lakes.
Final Disposition #
- Date of Loss: October 6, 1893
- Cause of Loss: Foundered in a severe southwest gale
- Crew: Five men and one woman were rescued after fourteen hours in the rigging
- Final Location: Sunk 250 yards offshore, Pigeon Bay near Leamington, Ontario, Lake Erie
Tags #
- Shipwreck
- Schooner
- Lake Erie
- Point Pelee
- 19th Century Vessel
- Maritime History
- Foundering in Gale
- Great Lakes Shipwreck
Conclusion #
The David Stewart was a testament to the strength and determination of Great Lakes sailors and their vessels. Built in Cleveland, Ohio, and serving for decades across the inland seas, the schooner faced numerous challenges throughout its operational life, from groundings to storms. Its final voyage in October 1893, during a fierce gale on Lake Erie, ended in tragedy, with the vessel sinking just 250 yards from shore. The rescue of its crew, clinging to the rigging for hours, is a reminder of the perils of maritime life and the resilience required to survive such ordeals.
The loss of the David Stewart added to the rich tapestry of Great Lakes maritime history, underscoring the dangers that ships and their crews faced on these often-treacherous waters. The wreck remains a poignant reminder of the vessel’s storied past and its ultimate demise in the unforgiving waters of Lake Erie.
