Shotline Diving Wreck Profile
- Name: Sarah (formerly Laura Emma)
- Type: Wooden two-masted schooner
- Year Built: 1861
- Builder: Panton Shipyard, Port Burwell, Ontario
- Dimensions: 73 × 19 × 7 ft; 65 gross / 65 net tons
- Registered Tonnage: 65 gross / 65 net tons
- Location: East side of Burke Island, Fishing Islands
- Official Number: C71136
- Number of Masts: Two
Wreck Location Map
Vessel Type
Wooden two-masted schooner lost in ice, Lake Huron.
Description
Originally built as Laura Emma in 1861, the vessel was later renamed Sarah in 1882. It measured 73 feet in length, 19 feet in beam, and had a depth of 7 feet, with a registered tonnage of 65 gross and 65 net tons.
History
The Sarah was constructed at Panton Shipyard in Port Burwell, Ontario. It served various roles throughout its operational life, primarily engaged in seasonal freight transport.
Significant Incidents
- Lost on November 28, 1906, after being trapped and crushed by moving ice floes.
- The crew abandoned the vessel, and there were no reported casualties.
Final Disposition
The Sarah sank shortly after the crew abandoned it, with no salvage attempts reported. The loss highlights the dangers of navigating in icy conditions during late-season operations.
Current Condition & Accessibility
The wreck of the Sarah remains submerged in Lake Huron, with no known salvage or recovery efforts undertaken since its sinking.
Resources & Links
[shotline_reference_links slug=”sarah-c-71136-laura-emma” title=”References & Links”]
The case of the Sarah serves as a reminder of the navigational hazards faced by vessels during the early freeze-up of Lake Huron, illustrating the risks associated with ice-related incidents.
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.
(built 1861 as Laura Emma; renamed Sarah in 1882)
Wooden two‑masted schooner lost in ice, Lake Huron
Identification & Vessel Specifications
- Official Number: C71136
- Built: 1861 at Panton Shipyard, Port Burwell, Ontario (originally named Laura Emma)
- Tonnage/Size: 73 × 19 × 7 ft; 65 gross / 65 net tons
- Cargo at Loss: Unspecified in records; possibly variable seasonal freight
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Final Voyage & Loss — November 28, 1906
- Location: East side of Burke Island, part of the Fishing Islands in Lake Huron
- Cause of Loss: Trapped and crushed by moving ice floes during a late-season run
- The schooner was abandoned by her crew and sank shortly thereafter.
- Casualties: None reported—crew safely evacuated
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Summary Table
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | Sarah (formerly Laura Emma) |
| Official Number | C71136 |
| Built | 1861, Port Burwell, Ontario (Wooden schooner) |
| Dimensions / Tonnage | 73 × 19 × 7 ft; 65 gt / 65 nt |
| Loss Date | November 28, 1906 |
| Loss Location | East side of Burke Island, Fishing Islands, Lake Huron |
| Cause of Loss | Crushed by ice while trapped in floe |
| Crew & Casualties | Crew abandoned vessel; no fatalities |
| Wreck Status | Sunk after crew abandonment; no salvage |
Context & Research Notes
- The entry for Sarah appears in the Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, listing her as built in 1861 at Port Burwell, lost on November 28, 1906, due to ice-related sinking—distinct from the similarly named steamships or vessels lost by fire or collision.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) - The loss occurred in the Fishing Islands region, where shifting ice can pose severe threats even late in the season.
(Great Lakes Shipwreck Files)
Further Research Pursuits
To enrich this profile:
- Newspaper coverage (late November or December 1906)—such as Bay City Tribune, Port Huron Times, or local Ontario papers—may report ice season dangers, crew rescue, or cargo context.
- Underwriter or insurance records tied to Official No. C71136—these may list vessel valuation, owner, cargo, and loss claim details.
- Harbor logs or customs entries at Port Burwell or nearby fishing communities—could include departure manifest, vessel master name, and final route itinerary.
- Ontario maritime archives or museums—especially those in Norfolk County or Lake Huron heritage centers—might hold photographs or accounts of ice-related schooner losses.
Conclusion
Sarah (Official No. C71136), originally built as Laura Emma in 1861, sank on November 28, 1906, after being caught and crushed in ice near Burke Island, Lake Huron. There were no fatalities, but the vessel was abandoned and irrecoverably lost. This case is illustrative of late-season navigational perils—even smaller schooners risked entrapment and rapid loss during early lake freeze-up or shifting ice.
sarah-c-71136-laura-emma 1906-11-28 10:31:00