Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Faustin
- Type: Wooden propeller-driven bulk freight
- Year Built: 1882
- Builder: D. Foster, Port Dover, Ontario
- Dimensions: 123 ft × 24 ft × 10 ft; 256 gross / 166 net tons
- Registered Tonnage: 256 gross / 166 net tons
- Location: Off Bar Point, Lake Erie
- Official Number: 136048 (original registry number C# 85471)
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden propeller-driven bulk freight “rabbit” freighter.
Description
The Faustin was originally built in 1882 as E.M. Foster, later renamed Edward H. Jenks before finally becoming Faustin. The vessel measured 123 feet in length, 24 feet in beam, and had a depth of 10 feet, with a registered tonnage of 256 gross tons and 166 net tons.
History
The Faustin had a notable service history, including being stranded off Pointe Aux Barques in Lake Huron in October 1888, from which it was released in the spring. In 1891, while operating under the name Jenks, it capsized near Ballard’s Reef in Lake Erie and remained sunk for nine years until it was raised and rebuilt in 1900.
Significant Incidents
- Stranded off Pointe Aux Barques, Lake Huron: October 1888; later released in spring.
- Capsized in 1891: Near Ballard’s Reef, Lake Erie (under name Jenks); remained sunk for nine years until raised and rebuilt in 1900.
Final Disposition
The Faustin sank rapidly on 4 September 1912 and was declared a total loss. Enrollment records indicate abandonment to underwriters in early 1913, as noted in the 1913 Merchant Vessels register.
Current Condition & Accessibility
No modern archaeological rediscovery of the wreck has been documented. The wreck is likely located near Bar Point shoals, but no dive surveys or archaeological documentation exist.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”faustin-us-136048-c-85471-e-m-foster-edward-h-jenks” title=”References & Links”]
The Faustin, built in 1882 and rebuilt in 1900, was lost after a fatal collision and foundering on 4 September 1912 off Bar Point, Lake Erie. The vessel sank during a gale and collision; all eight crew survived. Earlier significant incidents, including capsizing in 1891 and refloating in 1900, mark her as a well-traveled but ill-fated hull.
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.
(originally built 1882; lost 4 September 1912)
- Official number: 136048 (original registry number C# 85471)
- Built: 1882 by D. Foster, Port Dover, Ontario; originally launched as E. M. Foster, later renamed Edward H. Jenks before becoming Faustin (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Type: Wooden propeller-driven bulk freight “rabbit” freighter, 123 ft × 24 ft × 10 ft, 256 gross / 166 net tons (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
History & Previous Incidents
- Stranded off Pointe Aux Barques, Lake Huron in October 1888; later released in spring
- Capsized in 1891 near Ballard’s Reef, Lake Erie (under name Jenks); remained sunk for nine years until raised and rebuilt in 1900 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Loss
- Date of Loss: 4 September 1912 (some sources also cite May 15 1910, but primary data supports the 1912 date) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Location: Off Bar Point (near entrance to Detroit River), Lake Erie (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Type of Loss: Foundered in a storm while en route from Milwaukee to Buffalo. Took on water (category: storm), and sank quickly after a collision with schooner Harvest Home on a dark night (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Cargo: Wheat
- Casualties: 0 of 8 aboard were lost; all survived (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Disposition
- The vessel sank rapidly and was declared a total loss.
- Enrollment records show abandonment to underwriters in early 1913 (per 1913 Merchant Vessels register) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia, Alchem Incorporated)
Summary Table
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel | Faustin (formerly E. M. Foster, Edward H. Jenks) |
| Official No. | 136048 |
| Build Year & Shipyard | 1882, Port Dover, Ontario |
| Dimensions | 123 × 24 × 10 ft; 256 GRT / 166 NRT |
| Loss Date | 4 September 1912 (alternate May 15 1910 less likely) |
| Loss Location | Off Bar Point, at approach to Detroit River, Lake Erie |
| Cause of Loss | Foundered after collision in storm |
| Cargo | Wheat |
| Casualties | None (8 crew rescued) |
| Modern Rediscovery | None documented |
Research Gaps & Recommended Next Steps
- Crew and cargo details: No official crew roster or wheat tonnage listed.
- Collision specifics: Identity, ownership, and fate of Harvest Home not documented here.
- Local records: Investigate Buffalo and Ontario newspapers (Sept 1912 editions) for collision and rescue eyewitness accounts.
- Underwriters’ files: Access insurance claim documentation for valuations and loss descriptions.
- Hull condition & location: No dive surveys or archaeological documentation exists; wreck likely near Bar Point shoals.
Conclusion
Faustin—built in 1882 in Port Dover and rebuilt in 1900—was lost after a fatal collision and foundering on 4 September 1912 off Bar Point, Lake Erie. The vessel sank during a gale and collision; all eight crew survived. Earlier significant incidents (capsizing in 1891, refloating 1900) mark her as a well-traveled but ill-fated hull. No modern archaeological rediscovery is known.
Would you like guidance digging into period newspapers, archives of the underwriters, or vessel registry files for deeper crew or technical detail?
faustin-us-136048-c-85471-e-m-foster-edward-h-jenks 1912-09-04 15:04:00