Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Commodore Foote
- Type: Two-Masted Wooden Schooner
- Year Built: 1862
- Builder: Willard Kitts, Oswego, New York
- Dimensions: Length: 112 ft (34.1 m); Beam: 23 ft (7 m); Depth of hold: 11 ft (3.4 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 254 tons
- Location: Eastern Straits of Lake Huron
- Official Number: US 4923
- Number of Masts: 2
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
The Commodore Foote was a two-masted schooner designed for cargo transport, particularly grains and other bulk goods, across the Great Lakes. Built in 1862, the vessel represented the robust construction techniques of the era, featuring a wooden hull designed to withstand the often-harsh conditions of Lake Huron. The schooner was a key component of the maritime trade network, ferrying goods between ports like Milwaukee and Oswego.
Description
The Commodore Foote was constructed in Oswego, New York, on the hull of an earlier vessel, the Coleraine (built in 1854). Its build quality and cargo capacity made it a critical asset in the bustling trade of the Great Lakes. It primarily transported grain and other agricultural products from the Midwest to ports along Lake Ontario.
History
On November 21, 1867, the Commodore Foote was sailing eastward through the Straits of Lake Huron, bound for Oswego, New York, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The schooner carried a heavy cargo of 13,800 bushels of wheat. As it navigated the eastern straits, it encountered the schooner John Kelderhouse.
In a tragic miscalculation or navigational mishap, the two vessels collided. The impact was severe enough to compromise the Commodore Foote‘s hull, causing the schooner to founder quickly. Despite the destruction, the crew managed to escape unharmed, ensuring there were no casualties in the incident.
Significant Incidents
- Collision with the schooner John Kelderhouse on November 21, 1867, leading to the sinking of the Commodore Foote.
Final Disposition
The Commodore Foote sank in the eastern Straits of Lake Huron, taking its cargo of wheat to the lakebed. The exact coordinates of the wreck are not well-documented, but it is presumed to rest in the straits.
No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are specifically associated with the wreck site. However, mariners should always exercise caution in the eastern Straits of Lake Huron, given the historical presence of shipwrecks and challenging navigation conditions.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Condition: The wreck of the Commodore Foote is likely heavily deteriorated, given its wooden construction and over 150 years of submersion.
Accessibility: The precise location of the wreck is unknown, making it a less-frequented site for divers. Exploration of the area may yield clues, but visibility and sediment conditions in the straits could pose challenges.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”commodore-foote-coleraine-us-4923″ title=”References & Links”]
The story of the Commodore Foote reflects the risks and challenges of Great Lakes maritime trade in the 19th century. Its tragic loss underscores the dangers of navigating busy waterways, where collisions and rapidly changing weather conditions were ever-present threats. The schooner’s crew’s survival is a testament to their skill and resolve.
Legacy Notes & Full Historical Record
This section preserves the original unedited Shotline content for this wreck so that no historical detail is lost as we transition to the new logbook format.
Shipwreck Report: Schooner Commodore Foote
Identification & Site Information
- Vessel Name: Commodore Foote
- Other Names: Rebuilt from Coleraine (1854)
- Vessel Type: Two-Masted Wooden Schooner
- Year Built: 1862
- Builder: Willard Kitts, Oswego, New York
- Dimensions:
- Length: 112 feet (34.1 meters)
- Beam: 23 feet (7 meters)
- Depth: 11 feet (3.4 meters)
- Tonnage: 254 tons
- Cargo at Loss: 13,800 bushels of wheat
- Final Voyage: November 21, 1867
- Location of Loss: Eastern Straits of Lake Huron
- Final Condition: Sunk after a collision with the schooner John Kelderhouse
Vessel Type Description
The Commodore Foote was a two-masted schooner designed for cargo transport, particularly grains and other bulk goods, across the Great Lakes. Built in 1862, the vessel represented the robust construction techniques of the era, featuring a wooden hull designed to withstand the often-harsh conditions of Lake Huron. The schooner was a key component of the maritime trade network, ferrying goods between ports like Milwaukee and Oswego.
History
Construction and Early Service:
The Commodore Foote was constructed in Oswego, New York, on the hull of an earlier vessel, the Coleraine (built in 1854). Its build quality and cargo capacity made it a critical asset in the bustling trade of the Great Lakes. It primarily transported grain and other agricultural products from the Midwest to ports along Lake Ontario.
The Final Voyage:
On November 21, 1867, the Commodore Foote was sailing eastward through the Straits of Lake Huron, bound for Oswego, New York, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The schooner carried a heavy cargo of 13,800 bushels of wheat. As it navigated the eastern straits, it encountered the schooner John Kelderhouse.
The Collision:
In a tragic miscalculation or navigational mishap, the two vessels collided. The impact was severe enough to compromise the Commodore Foote‘s hull, causing the schooner to founder quickly. Despite the destruction, the crew managed to escape unharmed, ensuring there were no casualties in the incident.
Final Disposition
The Commodore Foote sank in the eastern Straits of Lake Huron, taking its cargo of wheat to the lakebed. The exact coordinates of the wreck are not well-documented, but it is presumed to rest in the straits.
NOTMARs & Advisories
No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) are specifically associated with the wreck site. However, mariners should always exercise caution in the eastern Straits of Lake Huron, given the historical presence of shipwrecks and challenging navigation conditions.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Condition: The wreck of the Commodore Foote is likely heavily deteriorated, given its wooden construction and over 150 years of submersion.
Accessibility: The precise location of the wreck is unknown, making it a less-frequented site for divers. Exploration of the area may yield clues, but visibility and sediment conditions in the straits could pose challenges.
Legacy
The story of the Commodore Foote reflects the risks and challenges of Great Lakes maritime trade in the 19th century. Its tragic loss underscores the dangers of navigating busy waterways, where collisions and rapidly changing weather conditions were ever-present threats. The schooner’s crew’s survival is a testament to their skill and resolve.
Resources & Links
- Maritime History of the Great Lakes: Maritime History of the Great Lakes
- NOAA Great Lakes Wreck Database
- Oswego Maritime Archives
- David Swayze Shipwreck File
- Great Lakes Ships
Keywords
#CommodoreFoote #LakeHuronShipwreck #GreatLakesMaritimeHistory #19thCenturySchooner #StraitsOfLakeHuron #WheatCargo #SchoonerCollision
In the annals of maritime history, the Great Lakes bear witness to countless tales of vessels facing the fury of nature and the challenges of navigation. Among these stories lies the tragic fate of the schooner Commodore Foote. From its construction to its ill-fated collision, the journey of the Commodore Foote offers insights into the challenges and risks faced by vessels on Lake Huron. commodore-foote-coleraine-us-4923 1867-11-21 07:49:00