Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: S. Robinson (Samuel Robinson)
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1853
- Builder: Lafrinier & Stevenson, Cleveland, Ohio
- Dimensions: 127 ft (38.7 m); Beam 26 ft (7.9 m); Depth of hold 12 ft (3.7 m)
- Registered Tonnage: 235 tons (309 tons old measurement)
- Location: Approximately 40 miles east of Milwaukee, Lake Michigan
- Official Number: 22347
- Original Owners: Finnegan & Roach, Chicago
- Number of Masts: Two-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Two-masted wooden schooner, typical of mid-19th-century bulk grain vessels on the Great Lakes.
Description
The S. Robinson measured roughly 38.7 m in length with a beam of 7.9 m and a depth of 3.7 m. Built in Cleveland in 1853, she was designed to haul bulk agricultural cargoes, mainly grains. She operated on the southern Lake Michigan wheat and corn trade routes.
History
From her launch in 1853, S. Robinson served the busy grain routes connecting the Chicago-to-Welland-Canal corridor. On May 24, 1872, fully laden with 16,000 bushels of corn—destined likely for Ontario or the East Coast—she was downbound in heavy fog off the Wisconsin coast. Though both Robinson and the passing passenger steamer Manistee sounded fog signals, visibility remained near zero. The Manistee struck Robinson square amidships, cutting two-thirds across the schooner. Her crew managed to deploy the yawl lifeboat and abandoned the vessel before it sank, with all eight hands surviving.
Significant Incidents
- May 24, 1872: Collision in heavy fog with passenger propeller Manistee.
Final Disposition
The S. Robinson sank rapidly after the collision and was a total loss. Her cargo, drifting lumber, and debris were noted by the Manistee and likely recovered or washed ashore.
Current Condition & Accessibility
There are no known records or dive surveys pinpointing the wreck. Given the sinking location and scant recovered artifacts, the hull location remains unverified.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”s-robinson-samuel-robinson-us-22347″ title=”References & Links” show_ref_button=”yes”]
The loss of the S. Robinson exemplifies how dense fog and grain-laden bulk schooners led to frequent collisions during the 19th-century Great Lakes grain rush. Despite the total loss of vessel and cargo, the survival of the crew underlines effective emergency response. The incident highlights the navigational perils on Lake Michigan and the need for continuing research in locating such uncharted wrecks.
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: S. Robinson (also recorded as Samuel Robinson)
- Official Number(s): 22347
- Date Built and Launched: 1853, by Lafrinier & Stevenson, Cleveland, Ohio (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Measurements: 127 ft (38.7 m) length × 26 ft (7.9 m) beam × 12 ft (3.7 m) depth; ≈235 tons (309 tons old measurement)
- Date Lost: May 24, 1872 (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Place Lost: Approximately 40 miles east of Milwaukee, Lake Michigan (linkstothepast.com)
- Cause of Loss: Collision in heavy fog with passenger propeller Manistee (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Cargo: 16,000 bushels of corn
- Crew: 8 aboard, no fatalities reported (en.wikipedia.org)
- Ownership: Finnegan & Roach, Chicago. Master: Capt. Finnegan (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Vessel Type
Two-masted wooden schooner, typical of mid-19th-century bulk grain vessels on the Great Lakes.
Description
The S. Robinson measured roughly 38.7 m in length with a beam of 7.9 m and a depth of 3.7 m. Built in Cleveland in 1853, she was designed to haul bulk agricultural cargoes, mainly grains. She operated on the southern Lake Michigan wheat and corn trade routes.
History
From her launch in 1853, S. Robinson served the busy grain routes connecting the Chicago-to-Welland-Canal corridor. On May 24, 1872, fully laden with 16,000 bushels of corn—destined likely for Ontario or the East Coast—she was downbound in heavy fog off the Wisconsin coast. Though both Robinson and the passing passenger steamer Manisteesounded fog signals, visibility remained near zero. The Manistee struck Robinson square amidships, cutting two-thirds across the schooner. Her crew managed to deploy the yawl lifeboat and abandoned the vessel before it sank, with all eight hands surviving. (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Final Disposition
The S. Robinson sank rapidly after the collision and was a total loss. Her cargo, drifting lumber, and debris were noted by the Manistee and likely recovered or washed ashore.
Located By & Date Found
There are no known records or dive surveys pinpointing the wreck. Given the sinking location and scant recovered artifacts, the hull location remains unverified.
Notmars & Advisories
No navigation markers or advisories currently denote the wreck site. The collision occurred in open water, not near ramps or reefs.
Resources & Links
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files – R section: entry for S. Robinson (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
- Wisconsinhistory.org / Linkstothepast – summary of collision in fog (linkstothepast.com)
Conclusion
The loss of the S. Robinson exemplifies how dense fog and grain-laden bulk schooners led to frequent collisions during the 19th-century Great Lakes grain rush. Despite the total loss of vessel and cargo, the survival of the crew underlines effective emergency response. The incident highlights the navigational perils on Lake Michigan and the need for continuing research in locating such uncharted wrecks.
Keywords: S. Robinson, collision, fog, corn schooner, Manistee, Lake Michigan, 1872 grain trade
Categories: Great Lakes shipwrecks • 19th-century grain schooners • collision incidents
Glossary Terms:
- Bulk Grain Schooner: A sailing vessel built for transporting large volumes of unbagged grain.
- Fog Signal: Audible warning device (whistle or horn) required in low-visibility navigation.
- Yawlboat (Yawl): A small boat carried aboard a larger vessel for emergency or tender use.