Identification & Site Information
Vessel Type Description The Grace M. Filer was a wooden-hulled schooner, a type of sailing vessel that was widely used on the Great Lakes during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Schooners like the Grace M. Filer were typically used for transporting bulk goods, such as lumber, across the lakes. With three masts and a single deck, this vessel was built for speed and cargo capacity, making it an essential part of the maritime trade network.
History The Grace M. Filer was constructed in 1874 by William W. Bates & Co. in Chicago, Illinois. The vessel was first enrolled in Chicago on April 11, 1874, under the ownership of Halvor Michelson. The schooner quickly became an active participant in the Great Lakes shipping industry, carrying various cargoes across the region.
Throughout its operational life, the Grace M. Filer encountered several incidents:
- October 19, 1883: The schooner was driven ashore at Cedar River, Green Bay, while carrying a cargo of lumber bound for Chicago. The vessel was salvaged and returned to service.
- November 7, 1901: The Grace M. Filer grounded again, this time in Escanaba, Michigan, on Lake Michigan. Despite these setbacks, the schooner continued to operate on the Great Lakes.
In 1913, the vessel was sold to Joe Fagen of Belleville, Ontario, and was re-registered in Canada under the official number C11968. Following this change in ownership, the Grace M. Filer underwent a rebuild in 1914, according to Canadian measurements, which slightly reduced its length but maintained its operational capabilities. The vessel continued to serve in the Great Lakes under Canadian ownership.
Final Years and Disposition By August 25, 1930, Francis A. Smith had become part-owner of the Grace M. Filer. During this period, the schooner was dismantled, and its hull suffered partial destruction due to disuse and neglect. The vessel’s active service life effectively ended, and it was no longer considered seaworthy.
In 1937, the Grace M. Filer met its final fate when it was dynamited off Belleville, Ontario, in the Bay of Quinte on Lake Ontario. After several years of abandonment and disuse, the decision was made to destroy the vessel by blowing up the hull, marking the end of the schooner’s long and storied history.
NOTMARs & Advisories There are no specific Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) related to the Grace M. Filer, as the vessel was dismantled and destroyed well before modern maritime documentation practices were in place.
Located By & Date The remains of the Grace M. Filer were destroyed in 1937 off Belleville, Ontario, in the Bay of Quinte. The site is likely of historical interest, though no physical remnants are expected due to the method of destruction.
Current Condition & Accessibility The Grace M. Filer was dynamited in 1937, and no remains of the vessel are known to exist. The site of its destruction, off Belleville in the Bay of Quinte, would hold no accessible wreckage for exploration.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Ships: Provides information and histories of ships that sailed the Great Lakes, including the Grace M. Filer.
Keywords Grace M. Filer, schooner, Great Lakes, Belleville, Bay of Quinte, shipwreck, Halvor Michelson, maritime history, Lake Ontario, lumber trade
Analysis The Grace M. Filer‘s story is one of resilience and adaptation in the face of changing times and challenges. Built in 1874, this schooner played a significant role in the Great Lakes’ maritime trade, particularly in the lumber industry. Its frequent incidents, including groundings and eventual abandonment, reflect the harsh conditions and risks faced by ships of its kind. The vessel’s destruction in 1937 by dynamite symbolizes the end of an era for wooden schooners, as modern technology and newer ships replaced these aging workhorses. The Grace M. Filer serves as a poignant reminder of the maritime history of the Great Lakes and the many vessels that once plied its waters
