Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Samson
- Type: Wooden freight barge
- Year Built: 1873
- Builder: J. O’Leary, Wallaceburg, Ontario
- Dimensions: 81 × 21 × 4 ft; approx. 52 tons
- Registered Tonnage: 52 tons
- Location: Near Belle Isle, Detroit River
- Original Owners: McRae of Wallaceburg
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Type: Wooden freight barge
Description
Samson was a wooden freight barge built in 1873 by J. O’Leary in Wallaceburg, Ontario. It measured 81 feet in length, 21 feet in beam, and had a depth of 4 feet, with a registered tonnage of approximately 52 tons. The barge was owned by McRae of Wallaceburg and was carrying 100 cords of wood at the time of its loss.
History
The Samson was towed by the small tug Comet on the Detroit River, bound for Detroit. On April 25, 1879, a spark from Comet‘s smokestack ignited the barge, leading to a rapidly spreading fire. The crew abandoned ship, and Samson was burned to a total loss, drifting before eventually sinking. Fortunately, there were no casualties as all crew members were safely removed in time.
Significant Incidents
- April 25, 1879: Fire ignited by a spark from the tug Comet‘s smokestack, leading to the abandonment of Samson and its eventual sinking.
Final Disposition
The Samson was completely consumed by fire and left drifting before sinking in the Detroit River. The incident highlights the fire hazards associated with barge-to-steam-tug operations.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of Samson is located near Belle Isle on the Detroit River. While the fire likely consumed much of the timber, metal fittings may still remain. A side-scan sonar or magnetic sweep could be employed to locate any debris.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”samson-1873″ title=”References & Links”]
The loss of Samson serves as a reminder of the dangers present in maritime operations, particularly the rapid onset of fire hazards. The incident underscores the importance of emergency preparedness and response in preventing casualties during such events.
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.
Wooden Barge Samson (built 1873 – lost April 25, 1879)
Identification & Build
- Type: Wooden freight barge
- Built: 1873 by J. O’Leary, Wallaceburg, Ontario
- Dimensions: 81 × 21 × 4 ft; approx. 52 tons
- Owner: McRae of Wallaceburg
- Cargo at Loss: 100 cords of wood
Final Voyage & Loss – April 25, 1879
- Route: Towed by the small tug Comet on the Detroit River, bound for Detroit
- Incident: A spark from Comet‘s smokestack ignited the barge, causing a rapidly spreading fire
- Outcome: The crew abandoned ship; Samson was burned to a total loss, left drifting before eventually sinking
- Casualties: None lost; all crew were safely removed in time (greatlakesrex.wordpress.com)
Historical & Technical Significance
- Exemplifies the rapid onset of fire hazards borne from barge-to-steam-tug operations
- Highlights how seemingly mundane routes — like towing in a river — could swiftly turn disastrous
- The loss without casualties underscores adept emergency response by tug crew
Research & Survey Opportunities
| Focus Area | Recommended Action |
|---|---|
| Archival Newspapers | Search Detroit Tribune or Detroit Free Press (April 25–30, 1879) for fire accounts and crew rescue details |
| Tug Records & Logs | Locate Comet‘s logs or vessel registry to document the incident and any towing regulations of the period |
| Registry Documents | Request Canadian enrollment papers for Samson (built 1873) through Wallaceburg historical archives |
| Site Investigation | The wreck occurred near Belle Isle on the Detroit River — while fire likely consumed timber, metal fittings may linger; a side-scan or MAG sweep could locate debris |
Summary
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Samson |
| Built | 1873, Wallaceburg ON (wooden freight barge) |
| Lost | Apr 25, 1879 – fire from tug’s stack spark, burned/drifted to total loss |
| Cargo | 100 cords of wood |
| Casualties | None |
| Significance | Highlights fire risks during tow operations; well-documented emergency abandonment |