Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Samuel Strong
- Type: Schooner
- Year Built: 1847
- Builder: St. Joseph, Michigan
- Dimensions: Length X ft (Y m); Beam; Depth of hold
- Registered Tonnage: ~216 tons
- Location: Michigan shoreline on Lake Michigan
- Coordinates: Precise wreck coordinates are not documented
- Number of Masts: Two-masted
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Traditional two-masted wooden schooner, fore-and-aft rigged.
Description
The Samuel Strong was a wooden schooner built in 1847, primarily used for transporting bulk commodities such as coal. It was registered at approximately 216 tons.
History
The Samuel Strong operated in Lake Michigan, likely under charter for coal transport. It was lost in a major storm in late October 1855, when it ran ashore and was declared a total loss.
Significant Incidents
- Date of Incident: Late October 1855 (specific day not recorded)
- Cause of Loss: Struck by a major storm, ran ashore
- Cargo Status: Carrying coal at time of loss; no records of salvage
Final Disposition
The Samuel Strong was declared a total loss after being driven ashore during a storm. There are no records of salvage or recovery efforts.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The precise location of the wreck remains undocumented, and the current condition of the wreck is unknown.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”samuel-strong-1847″ title=”References & Links”]
The Samuel Strong, a two-masted 216-ton schooner, was lost in a late-October 1855 gale on Lake Michigan while laden with coal. While basic loss details are documented, precise location, crew outcomes, and potential wreck remains remain unverified.
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.
Identification & Vessel Construction
- Built: 1847 at St. Joseph, Michigan
- Tonnage: ~216 tons (old measurement) (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
- Type: Traditional two‑masted wooden schooner, fore‑and‑aft rigged
- Cargo: Commonly carried bulk commodities such as coal
Final Voyage & Loss Details
- Date of Incident: Late October 1855 (specific day not recorded)
- Route: Operating in Lake Michigan, likely under charter for coal transport
- Cause of Loss: Struck by a major storm—she ran ashore and was declared a total loss (Midland Daily News)
- Cargo Status: Carrying coal at time of loss; no records of salvage
Incident Location
- General location: Michigan shoreline on Lake Michigan
- Precise wreck coordinates are not documented
Crew & Casualties
- Crew Complement: Undocumented
- Casualties: Not mentioned in available sources; new records (e.g. contemporary newspapers) have not been found
Source Records & Archival References
- Listed in Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (S‑section) as “built St. Joseph, MI, 216 t.” with final “storm” loss in late October 1855 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, greatlakesdrive.com, Midland Daily News)
- Also noted in broader storm-loss lists, although very brief (e.g., chapters in early maritime histories)
Research Gaps & Follow‑Up Recommendations
| Area | Notes |
|---|---|
| Exact Date & Location | Localize through late October 1855 newspapers (Detroit Free Press, Chicago Tribune, Milwaukee Sentinel) |
| Witness Testimony | Seek survivor or witness statements in regional archives or newspapers |
| Crew Lists & Ownership | Confirm tonnage and registration via U.S. Customs or Ship Registers (National Archives) |
| Salvage Records | Investigate if wreck removal or coal salvage occurred in 1856 |
| Archaeological Survey | Conduct a side-scan sonar survey on suspected Michigan shoreline sites |
Summary
The Samuel Strong, a two-masted 216‑ton schooner built in 1847, was lost in a late‑October 1855 gale on Lake Michigan while laden with coal. Driven ashore, she was declared a total loss. While basic loss details are documented, precise location, crew outcomes, and potential wreck remains remain unverified.
samuel-strong-1847 1855-10-18 15:55:00