Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: George F. Foster
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1852
- Builder: James Randall
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: 123.89/95 old-style tons (approx. 123.94 tons)
- Location: Point Sable, Lake Michigan
- Coordinates: Not available
- Official Number: 10195
- Original Owners: R. Meadowcroft, M. Ko-son, Rawson, T. Hanson, P. Johnson, D. Nelson, J. Miller
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A mid–19th-century wooden schooner constructed in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Designed for cargo transport across the Great Lakes, typical of regional rigging used for grain, lumber, and general freight.
Description
The George F. Foster was a wooden two-masted schooner built in 1852, primarily used for transporting cargo across the Great Lakes. The vessel was constructed by James Randall in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and was typical of the design used for regional trade during that era.
History
- 27 May 1852: Enrolled at Chicago, IL under owner R. Meadowcroft.
- September 1853: Reported struck by lightning near Muskegon, Michigan.
- Progressive ownership within Chicago/Milwaukee: Notable owners included M. Ko-son (April 1855), Rawson (May 1860), T. Hanson (Aug 1862), P. Johnson (May 1863), D. Nelson (Feb 1867), and J. Miller (Apr 1867).
- 1862: Collision recorded with schooner Helen Kent.
- 10 July 1870: Vessel was lost near Kalamazoo (en route Chicago–Lincoln, MI), during which three men died—though this loss did not destroy the vessel.
- 21 October 1870: Wrecked at Point Sable, Lake Michigan; the final event that ended her service.
Significant Incidents
- Reported struck by lightning in September 1853.
- Collision with the schooner Helen Kent in 1862.
- Fatal incident on 10 July 1870, where three men died, although the vessel was not destroyed.
Final Disposition
The George F. Foster was wrecked off Point Sable on 21 October 1870. No evidence indicates salvage; the schooner remained a total loss.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Not located. There are no recorded surveys or dives. The wreck site likely lies submerged near Point Sable, but remains undocumented.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”george-f-foster-us-10195″ title=”References & Links”]
Built in 1852 at Kalamazoo and active in regional cargo trade, the George F. Foster experienced a string of proprietors, a lightning strike, and a fatal July 1870 incident prior to her final wreck at Point Sable in October. No lives were lost in her final wrecking, and while her remains may have surfaced in later decades, the vessel remains uninvestigated on the lakebed. The schooner’s multiple incidents offer insight into the hazards of mid-19th-century Great Lakes navigation.
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.
Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: George F. Foster
- Year Built: 1852
- Official No.: 10195
- Built at: Kalamazoo, Michigan by James Randall (wooden two-masted schooner) (link.springer.com, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Hull Material: Wood
- Decks: One
- Masts: Two
- Tonnage: 123 89/95 old-style tons (approx. 123.94 tons)
- Final Location: Point Sable, Lake Michigan (along Michigan’s coast) (smithsonianmag.com, ourmidland.com)
- Date of Loss: 21 October 1870
- Casualties: None reported
Vessel Type
A mid‑19th-century wooden schooner constructed in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Designed for cargo transport across the Great Lakes, typical of regional rigging used for grain, lumber, and general freight.
History
- 27 May 1852: Enrolled at Chicago, IL under owner R. Meadowcroft (link.springer.com, greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- September 1853: Reported struck by lightning near Muskegon, Michigan
- Progressive ownership within Chicago/Milwaukee: Notable owners included M. Ko‑son (April 1855), Rawson (May 1860), T. Hanson (Aug 1862), P. Johnson (May 1863), D. Nelson (Feb 1867), and J. Miller (Apr 1867)
- 1862: Collision recorded with schooner Helen Kent
- 10 July 1870: Vessel was lost near Kalamazoo (en route Chicago–Lincoln, MI), during which three men died—though this loss did not destroy the vessel
- 21 October 1870: Wrecked at Point Sable, Lake Michigan; the final event that ended her service (ourmidland.com)
Final Disposition
The George F. Foster was wrecked off Point Sable on 21 October 1870. No evidence indicates salvage; the schooner remained a total loss.
Located By & Date Found
Not located. There are no recorded surveys or dives. The wreck site likely lies submerged near Point Sable, but remains undocumented.
Notmars & Advisories
None noted. No modern Notices to Mariners or hazard bulletins reference the site.
Resources & Links
- WWMT / Mason County Press: Highlighted the vessel as a possible candidate among early shipwreck remains near Ludington State Park (wwmt.com)
- Smithsonian Magazine: Clarified George F. Foster as one of several mid‑19th-century schooners whose remains surfaced during high-water events on Lake Michigan
- Shipwreck Map Data (Our Midland): Confirms build and wreck details including wreck depth and location (ourmidland.com)
Conclusion
Built in 1852 at Kalamazoo and active in regional cargo trade, the George F. Foster experienced a string of proprietors, a lightning strike, and a fatal July 1870 incident prior to her final wreck at Point Sable in October. No lives were lost in her final wrecking, and while her remains may have surfaced in later decades, the vessel remains uninvestigated on the lakebed. The schooner’s multiple incidents offer insight into the hazards of mid-19th-century Great Lakes navigation.
Keywords, Categories, Glossary Terms
George F. Foster, Kalamazoo schooner, wooden cargo schooner, Point Sable wreck, 1852 Great Lakes vessel, 1870 wreck, two-masted schooner, maritime accidents, Michigan coast shipwrecks, Lake Michigan heritage