Shotline Diving

Connecting You to the Depths of the Great Lakes

H. R. Newcomb US 95428

Explore the wreck of the H. R. Newcomb, a wooden schooner-barge lost in a storm on Lake Ontario in 1890.

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: H. R. Newcomb
  • Type: Wooden schooner-barge (towed sailing vessel)
  • Year Built: 1876
  • Builder: Thomas Arnold, East Saginaw, Michigan
  • Dimensions: 184 × 32 × 14 ft; 895 GRT (gross), 850 NRT (net)
  • Registered Tonnage: 895 GRT (gross), 850 NRT (net)
  • Location: Driven ashore off Nine Mile Point, Lake Ontario (near Oswego, NY)
  • Official Number: 95428

Wreck Location Map

Vessel Type

(schooner-barge; Official No. 95428)

Description

Built in 1876 as a schooner-barge, she lacked propulsion and relied on tow vessels like the Proctor. Designed for bulk freighting, likely carrying lumber or grain. Her dimensions (184 ft length, 14 ft depth) and large tonnage reflect a substantial bulk freighter typical of late-19th-century Great Lakes trade.

History

In late fall 1890, the Proctor was towing H. R. Newcomb across Lake Ontario when a sudden gale hit. The tow line parted under strain, leaving the Newcomb adrift. The unpowered barge was then driven ashore off Nine Mile Point, where it struck bottom and became stranded. Initially, hopes were that the vessel could be refloated in spring, but severe winter storms destroyed her hull, cementing her as a total loss. Officially abandoned by May 1891.

Significant Incidents

  • In late fall 1890, the Proctor was towing H. R. Newcomb across Lake Ontario when a sudden gale hit.
  • The tow line parted under strain, leaving the Newcomb adrift.
  • The unpowered barge was then driven ashore off Nine Mile Point, where it struck bottom and became stranded.
  • Initially, hopes were that the vessel could be refloated in spring, but severe winter storms destroyed her hull, cementing her as a total loss.
  • Officially abandoned by May 1891.

Final Disposition

The H. R. Newcomb met her demise in a classic tow-failure scenario: held clear in November passage, she broke free during a late-season gale and was grounded off Nine Mile Point, Lake Ontario. Despite initial hopes of refloating, the unforgiving winter storms finalized her loss by Spring 1891. No lives were lost, but the incident underscores the vulnerabilities of schooner-barges operating without self-propulsion during Great Lakes storms.

Current Condition & Accessibility

As of now, the wreck of the H. R. Newcomb is confirmed as a total loss, with no recovery efforts reported after the severe winter storms of 1890-1891.

Resources & Links

[shotline_reference_links slug=”h-r-newcomb-us-95428″ title=”References & Links”]

The wreck of the H. R. Newcomb serves as a historical reminder of the challenges faced by vessels operating on the Great Lakes, particularly those without self-propulsion capabilities.

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.

(schooner-barge; Official No. 95428)

Shotline Diving Wreck Profile

  • Name: H. R. Newcomb
  • Type: Wooden schooner-barge (towed sailing vessel)
  • Built: 1876 by Thomas Arnold, East Saginaw, Michigan
  • Dimensions: 184 × 32 × 14 ft; 895 GRT (gross), 850 NRT (net)
  • Loss Date: November 22, 1890
  • Bound for: Charlotte, NY
  • Tow Vessel: Steam tug Proctor
  • Loss Location: Driven ashore off Nine Mile Point, Lake Ontario (near Oswego, NY)
  • Casualties: None recorded (crew rescued; unreported)

Incident & Final Disposition

  • In late fall 1890, the Proctor was towing H. R. Newcomb across Lake Ontario when a sudden gale hit.
  • The tow line parted under strain, leaving the Newcomb adrift.
  • The unpowered barge was then driven ashore off Nine Mile Point, where it struck bottom and became stranded.
  • Initially, hopes were that the vessel could be refloated in spring, but severe winter storms destroyed her hull, cementing her as a total loss.
  • Officially abandoned by May 1891 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia, Wikipedia).

Vessel Description & Role

  • Built in 1876 as a schooner-barge, she lacked propulsion and relied on tow vessels like the Proctor.
  • Designed for bulk freighting, likely carrying lumber or grain.
  • Her dimensions (184 ft length, 14 ft depth) and large tonnage reflect a substantial bulk freighter typical of late-19th-century Great Lakes trade (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Research Gaps

  • Tow Conditions: Wind strength, storm charts, and lake forecasts from Nov 22, 1890 — could be studied via historical weather data.
  • Crew Details: Names, rescue account, and departure port manifest (likely Oswego or Rochester).
  • Salvage Records: Whether the Proctor or other tugs attempted salvage before winter.
  • Proctor Details: Vessel specs, ownership, master’s log entries—could inform the tow’s contractual and operational context.

Conclusion

The H. R. Newcomb met her demise in a classic tow-failure scenario: held clear in November passage, she broke free during a late-season gale and was grounded off Nine Mile Point, Lake Ontario. Despite initial hopes of refloating, the unforgiving winter storms finalized her loss by Spring 1891. No lives were lost, but the incident underscores the vulnerabilities of schooner-barges operating without self-propulsion during Great Lakes storms.

h-r-newcomb-us-95428 1890-11-22 23:52:00