Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: I.N. Foster
- Type: Two-masted wooden schooner
- Year Built: 1872
- Builder: Fitzgerald, Port Huron, Michigan
- Dimensions: 135 ft × 26 ft × 12 ft; ~319 GRT
- Registered Tonnage: ~319 GRT
- Depth at Wreck Site: 0.6 m / 2 ft
- Location: Grounded near Washington Island, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 100031
- Original Owners: Paushey
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
A sizeable two-masted wooden schooner designed for bulk freight, particularly iron ore, which was a common cargo in late 19th-century Great Lakes maritime trade.
Description
Built in 1872, I.N. Foster measured roughly 135′ in length with a substantial carrying capacity. Her homeport was Buffalo, with ownership held by Paushey and command under Captain Danahy.
History
On 7 August 1887, during a storm on Lake Michigan, the I.N. Foster was driven into extremely shallow water near Washington Island. Her hull grounded approximately 75 m (250 ft) from safe water and suffered extensive damage. Initial assessments considered salvage possible, but worsening weather and the vessel’s condition led to her being stripped and abandoned on-site in 1887.
Although some early accounts reported loss of life, official records and registry documents do not confirm any fatalities. The crew reportedly evacuated safely. By June 1888, dredging efforts had created a small channel allowing the hulk to be removed and the remains later rebuilt as a propeller vessel at 356/278 GRT.
Significant Incidents
- Grounded on 7 August 1887 during a storm near Washington Island.
- Initial salvage attempts were hindered by weather and vessel condition.
- Reportedly stripped and abandoned in 1887.
- Rebuilt as a propeller vessel by June 1888.
Final Disposition
Initially abandoned in 1887, the hull underwent salvage operations in 1888, then was reconstructed into a propeller-driven steamer, extending its service life until eventual scrapping in 1928.
Current Condition & Accessibility
Currently no navigational hazard markers exist; the original wrecksite has since been removed or buried after salvage. Modern identifications rest on sonar data rather than visible remains.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”i-n-foster-us-100031″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The I.N. Foster was a notable iron-ore schooner that grounded and was thought lost during an August 1887 storm off Washington Island. Despite initial abandonment, the vessel was later salvaged, rebuilt as a propeller steamer, and served for decades. Her wreck-turned-rebirth story reflects the resilience of Great Lakes maritime commerce and engineering adaptability.
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: I.N. Foster
- Official Number: 100031
- Year Built: 1872
- Built at: Fitzgerald, Port Huron, Michigan
- Vessel Type: Two‑masted wooden schooner
- Dimensions: 41 m × 8 m × 3.7 m (135′ × 26′ × 12′); ~319 GRT
- Cargo at Loss: Iron ore
- Crew: Some reports indicate fatalities; others say no lives lost
- Date Lost: 7 August 1887
- Final Location: Grounded in shallow water (~0.6 m / 2 ft deep) near Washington Island, Lake Michigan, about 250 ft from navigable channel — later stripped and abandoned (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com, en.wikipedia.org, marshcollection.org)
Vessel Type
A sizeable two‑masted wooden schooner designed for bulk freight, particularly iron ore, which was a common cargo in late 19th-century Great Lakes maritime trade.
Description
Built in 1872, I.N. Foster measured roughly 135′ in length with a substantial carrying capacity. Her homeport was Buffalo, with ownership held by Paushey and command under Captain Danahy (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).
History & Loss
On 7 August 1887, during a storm on Lake Michigan, the I.N. Foster was driven into extremely shallow water near Washington Island. Her hull grounded approximately 75 m (250 ft) from safe water and suffered extensive damage. Initial assessments considered salvage possible, but worsening weather and the vessel’s condition led to her being stripped and abandoned on-site in 1887 (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).
Although some early accounts reported loss of life, official records and registry documents do not confirm any fatalities. The crew reportedly evacuated safely. By June 1888, dredging efforts had created a small channel allowing the hulk to be removed and the remains later rebuilt as a propeller vessel at 356/278 GRT (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).
Final Disposition
Initially abandoned in 1887, the hull underwent salvage operations in 1888, then was reconstructed into a propeller-driven steamer, extending its service life until eventual scrapping in 1928 (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).
Located By & Date Found
The wreck’s remains were identified in June 2004 approximately 13 mi SSE of Two Harbors, Minnesota, during a side-scan sonar survey (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com).
Notations & Advisories
Currently no navigational hazard markers exist; the original wrecksite has since been removed or buried after salvage. Modern identifications rest on sonar data rather than visible remains.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files profile for I.N. Foster — details grounding, salvage, and eventual rebuild (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Amherstburg Echo / Marine News (1887–88) confirms initial grounding on Fisherman’s Shoal near Escanaba, stripping, and abandonment as a total loss (marshcollection.org)
- Wisconsin Historical Society – “Empire State”: notes I.N. Foster as towing operations around 1905, indicating her later salvaged life as a propeller steamer (wisconsinshipwrecks.org)
Conclusion
The I.N. Foster was a notable iron‑ore schooner that grounded and was thought lost during an August 1887 storm off Washington Island. Despite initial abandonment, the vessel was later salvaged, rebuilt as a propeller steamer, and served for decades. Her wreck‑turned‑rebirth story reflects the resilience of Great Lakes maritime commerce and engineering adaptability.
Suggested Keywords: I.N. Foster grounding, Washington Island wreck, iron‑ore schooner, late‑season Lake Michigan storm, schooner salvage
Categories:
- Lake Michigan shipwrecks
- Bulk freight schooners
- Iron‑ore maritime trade
- Storm‑related vessel losses