Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: D. Foster
- Type: Steam Excursion Boat
- Year Built: 1885
- Builder: David M. Foster
- Dimensions: 64.9 ft (19.8 m) X 13.3 ft (4.1 m); Depth of hold: 5.0 ft (1.5 m)
- Registered Tonnage: Gross tonnage: 66.5 GRT; Net tonnage: ~31.1
- Location: Port Burwell Harbor, Lake Erie
- Original Owners: David M. Foster
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Vessel Type
Wooden, single-deck excursion/tour vessel (riverboat).
Description
Description
The D. Foster was a steam excursion boat built in 1885, originally measuring 48 ft by 18 ft by 5.6 ft before being rebuilt in 1886 to a length of 64.9 ft. It was powered by a 10 hp high-pressure steam engine.
History
History
Originally built by David M. Foster, the vessel served local Lake Erie routes, primarily between Port Dover and Port Burwell. After its rebuild in 1886, it increased its gross tonnage and dimensions, enhancing its capacity for excursions.
Significant Incidents
Significant Incidents
- 10 September 1887: The D. Foster was involved in a collision at Port Burwell Harbor, which led to a catastrophic fire that resulted in the vessel burning completely and sinking.
Final Disposition
Final Disposition
The vessel was officially declared a total loss following the fire, with its enrollment closed on 19 September 1887.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the D. Foster is submerged in Port Burwell Harbor. Accessibility for divers may vary based on local conditions and regulations.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”d-foster-1885″ title=”References & Links”]
Summary
The D. Foster was a locally built and operated excursion steamer whose career was cut short by a dockside collision and subsequent fire in September 1887. The vessel’s destruction marked the end of a regionally significant tourism craft. Further archival research could yield collision details, passenger lists, and possibly contemporary photographs or mechanical blueprints.
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.
FOSTER, D. (Steam Excursion Boat)
Identification & Build
- Built: 1885, Port Burwell, Ontario
- Builder: David M. Foster
- Original Owner: David M. Foster (ex-Provincial boatbuilder)
- Type: Wooden, single-deck excursion/tour vessel (riverboat)
- Propulsion: Single screw driven by a 10″ × 10″, 10 hp high-pressure steam engine (built by William Dalton, Toronto, by 1875)
- Dimensions:
- After rebuild: 64.9 × 13.3 × 5.0 ft
- Original (1885): 48 × 18 × 5.6 ft
- Tonnage: Gross tonnage grew from 40.4 to 66.5 GRT; net tonnage ~31.1
Final Disposition
- Date: 10 September 1887
- Location: Port Burwell Harbor, Lake Erie
- Cause: Collision followed by catastrophic fire — the vessel burned completely to a total loss
- Registry: Enrollment officially closed on 19 September 1887
Career Highlights & Alterations
- Rebuild: In 1886, the vessel was enlarged (to 64.9 ft) and tonnage increased to 66.5 GRT
- Operations: Served as an excursion craft on local Lake Erie routes (Port Dover ↔ Port Burwell)
- Final Voyage: Under ownership of Foster himself, she left Port Dover and arrived in Port Burwell where, following an undocumented collision, she caught fire and burned to the waterline before sinking.
Sources & Citations
- Collated from Steamboat Era in the Muskokas by Richard Tatley and port records curated by C. Patrick Labadie.
- Incident described in historic hull registry noting rebuilt dimensions, fire loss, and registry surrender date.
Research & Archival Next Steps
| Target Archive | Goal |
|---|---|
| Port Burwell Gazette (Sept 1887) | Find collision/fire eyewitness accounts and specifics |
| Canadian enrollment logs (NAC) | Obtain enrollment details and master’s identity at sinking |
| Harbor Commission Records | Retrieve collision investigation or salvage documentation |
| Port Burwell Marine Museum | Check for surviving photos, artifacts or logs in Tom Foster’s collection |
Summary
The FOSTER, D. was a locally built and operated excursion steamer whose career was cut short by a dockside collision and subsequent fire in September 1887. The vessel’s destruction marked the end of a regionally significant tourism craft. Further archival research could yield collision details, passenger lists, and possibly contemporary photographs or mechanical blueprints.
d-foster-1885 1887-09-10 22:30:00