IDENTIFICATION & SITE INFORMATION #
VESSEL TYPE DESCRIPTION: #
The WILLIAM BREWSTER was a typical two-masted wooden schooner, common during the mid-19th century for transporting goods and passengers across the Great Lakes. Built with timbers cut in Euclid, Ohio, and assembled on Lake Superior, the schooner was designed for durability in the often harsh conditions of the Great Lakes. It served various ports, with early homeporting in Mackinac, Michigan, and operated extensively in the region.
HISTORY: #
Launched in 1838, the WILLIAM BREWSTER had a service history marked by several incidents before its final, tragic loss in 1852. The schooner was initially homeported in Mackinac, Michigan, after a journey down the rapids of the St. Mary’s River to Lake Huron. Throughout its years of service, the vessel experienced multiple groundings and wrecks, including an incident near Point Burwell, Ontario, on April 8, 1851, and another near Port Dover, Canada West (now Ontario), on April 6, 1851, leading to the vessel being declared a total loss.
On the night of November 12-13, 1852, the WILLIAM BREWSTER encountered a severe storm while en route from Long Point, Ontario, to Cleveland, Ohio. The storm proved too powerful for the schooner, causing it to capsize and drift ashore near Fairport, Ohio. Tragically, all on board perished in the incident. Reports vary, but it is believed that the vessel carried between 7 and 11 individuals, including a crew of 4 to 6 members and 3 to 5 passengers who had been part of the crew of the schooner Buffalo, which had previously wrecked on Long Point on November 7, 1852.
FINAL DISPOSITION: #
The WILLIAM BREWSTER was lost in the storm near Fairport, Ohio, in November 1852. The vessel capsized and was driven ashore, resulting in the loss of all lives on board. The exact cargo and ownership details at the time of the sinking remain unclear, though the vessel was likely owned by S.S. Francisco, possibly based in Cleveland. The schooner’s remains likely became scattered along the shores of Lake Erie, with no detailed recovery or salvage efforts documented.
NOTMARs & ADVISORIES: #
There are no current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically related to the wreck of the WILLIAM BREWSTER. However, the wreck site near Fairport, Ohio, is of historical interest, particularly for maritime historians and those studying early Great Lakes shipping.
LOCATED BY & DATE: #
The wreck was not formally discovered or documented after the incident. The site is near Fairport, Ohio, where the vessel was last reported before its tragic loss.
CURRENT CONDITION & ACCESSIBILITY: #
The condition of the wreck remains unknown, with likely deterioration over the years due to the passage of time and environmental factors. The site may not be accessible for diving or research, given the age and likely dispersal of the wreckage.
RESOURCES & LINKS: #
Tags: #
- #GreatLakesShipwrecks
- #LakeErie
- #WoodenSchooner
- #MaritimeHistory
- #ShipwreckResearch
- #19thCenturyShipping
Conclusion: #
The WILLIAM BREWSTER was a vessel that witnessed the early days of Great Lakes maritime history, with a career marked by multiple incidents and a tragic end. The loss of the schooner in a storm off the coast of Fairport, Ohio, in 1852, serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who navigated these waters. Although the wreck remains largely undocumented and its current condition unknown, the story of the WILLIAM BREWSTER endures as part of the rich tapestry of Great Lakes history.
