(Wooden Two-Mast Schooner, built 1856; lost October 24, 1887)
Identification & Vessel Overview
- Official Name: G. D. Norris (sometimes misrecorded as “D. G. Norris” or “Morris, D. G. Norris”)
- Built: 1856 in Cleveland, Ohio by G. W. Jones
- Registry Number: U.S. Official No. 10336
- Dimensions: Approximately 128 × 26 × 11 ft; 262 gross tons, 252 net tons
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Final Voyage & Sinking (October 24, 1887)
- Route: Bound from Bay City, Michigan to Cleveland, Ohio, under tow by the Steamer Oswegatchie
- Incident: Caught in a severe storm on Lake Huron; G. D. Norris “sank to her decks” meaning she took on water quickly and submerged
- Rescue: Crew evacuated and rescued by the passing Steamer Breck
- Subsequent Wreckage: Vessel likely drifted ashore near Goderich, Ontario; registration certificate was surrendered at Port Huron in 1888
- Cargo: Lumber
- Casualties: None reported—crew all survived
Summary of Key Details
| Field | Information |
|---|---|
| Vessel Name | G. D. Norris |
| Built / Registry | 1856, Cleveland; U.S. Official No. 10336 |
| Dimensions | ~128 × 26 × 11 ft (≈262 gross tons) |
| Final Voyage | Bay City → Cleveland, under tow by Oswegatchie |
| Loss Date & Location | October 24, 1887 — likely lost mid‑Lake Huron, drifted ashore near Goderich, ON |
| Cargo | Lumber |
| Cause of Loss | Storm-induced swelling; Foundered amid tow |
| Crew & Casualties | Rescued by Breck; no loss of life |
| Legal Outcome | Registry surrendered at Port Huron, 1888 |
Historical Significance & Context
- The G. D. Norris exemplifies the challenges of towed Schooner operations in late 19th‑century Lake Huron and Lake Erie cargo transport.
- Her dimensions (~128 ft) place her among the larger schooners trading between Michigan and Ohio during that era.
- The fact she was under tow at the time indicates just how common—and inherently risky—such towing practices were in the presence of storms.
- Her remains near Goderich would fall within the high‑hazard zone frequently visited by maritime historians and wreck surveys.
Archival Sources & Citations
- Great Lakes Shipwreck Files (“N” entry) provide vessel registry data, build location, incident details, cargo, and owner info.
(manitouislandsarchives.org, goderich.ca, Great Lakes Shipwreck Files) - Historic wreck indices (e.g., Alchem Inc. Lake Huron listings) mention G.D. Norris and summarize her sinking under tow in October 1887 with lumber cargo, matching crew rescue by Breck.
(goderich.ca, manitouislandsarchives.org)
Recommendations for Further Research
- Newspaper Archives (Autumn 1887)
- Search Detroit Free Press, Bay City Tribune, Goderich Times-Industrial, or Port Huron local papers around Oct 24–28 for reports on the loss and rescue operations.
- Registry & Enrollment Files
- Consult National Archives or state maritime registries for original enrollment papers, changes in ownership, and vessel specification sheets.
- Tow Vessel Logs (Oswegatchie and Breck)
- If accessible, logs from either Steamer may describe the incident’s weather conditions, timing, and rescue details more precisely.
- Maritime Salvage Records
- Investigate whether portions of the wreck or cargo were salvaged; Goderich salvage firms may have maintained records of recovered wood or Hull remains.
Final Conclusion
G. D. Norris was a sizable lumber Schooner launched from Cleveland in 1856, lost during a storm while under tow in October 1887. The vessel sank rapidly (“to her decks”), was Abandoned, and her crew rescued. She later came ashore in Goderich, Ontario, where documentation indicates registry surrender and Abandoned wreck status. Her career and loss reflect the perils faced by towed Schooner operations in the Great Lakes’ storm seasons.
Let me know if you’d like assistance retrieving specific incident newspaper accounts, registry documents, or tow vessel log references for more granular details.