Fostoria US 9534

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

• Name: FOSTORIA
• Type: Two-masted Great Lakes schooner
• Year Built: 1865
• Builder: Scott Lyons
• Dimensions: Length 123.6 ft (37.7 m); Beam 26.5 ft; Depth of hold 8.4 ft
• Registered Tonnage: 253
• Location: Near Port Huron, Michigan
• Official Number: 9534
• Original Owners: Ben Flint, W.S. McLean, Thomas B. Ganey, J.C. Garry
• Number of Masts: 2

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

Type: Two-masted Great Lakes schooner (later sometimes used as a barge)

Description

The FOSTORIA was constructed as a commercial lake schooner designed for transporting bulk cargoes such as grain, coal, lumber, and stone across the Great Lakes. Built in 1865, she was typical of mid-19th-century vessels, made quickly and inexpensively to meet the demands of booming lake commerce.

History

The operational history of the FOSTORIA includes several notable events: she was documented at 237.57 gross tons in 1868, ran aground on Grey’s Reef in the same year, and sustained damage during storms and leaks throughout her service. Ownership changed multiple times, reflecting the vessel’s long career in the Great Lakes shipping industry.

Significant Incidents

• 1868: Ran aground on Grey’s Reef while carrying grain; refloated with help from the steamer LEVIATHAN.
• 1874: Struck a rock near the Detour Light in Lake Huron and sank; later raised but required significant repairs.
• 1874: Foundered at anchor off Fairport, Ohio, during a storm; salvaged and underwent major repairs.
• 1901: Foundered while in tow of the steamer ANNIE LAURA due to ice damage, resulting in the loss of two lives.

Final Disposition

The FOSTORIA sank on May 10, 1901, near Port Huron, Michigan, after being holed by ice. The steamer ANNIE LAURA was unable to rescue her, and the vessel was lost along with its cargo of coal.

Current Condition & Accessibility

The exact location of the wreck of the FOSTORIA remains unspecified in historical records, but it is believed to lie in Lake Huron near Port Huron. The wreck could provide valuable insights into mid-19th-century ship construction and the maritime history of the Great Lakes.

Resources & Links

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The FOSTORIA serves as a representative example of the wooden schooners that played a crucial role in Great Lakes commerce during the 19th century. Her long operational life and eventual sinking highlight the challenges faced by wooden vessels in an era of changing maritime technology.