(Schooner-Barge; Official No. 95428)

Identification & Site Information

  • Name: H. R. Newcomb
  • Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge (towed sailing vessel)
  • Built: 1876 by Thomas Arnold, East Saginaw, Michigan
  • Dimensions: 184 × 32 × 14 ft; 895 GRT (gross), 850 NRT (net)
  • Loss Date: November 22, 1890
  • Bound for: Charlotte, NY
  • Tow Vessel: Steam Tug Proctor
  • Loss Location: Driven ashore off Nine Mile Point, Lake Ontario (near Oswego, NY)
  • Casualties: None recorded (crew rescued; unreported)

Incident & Final Disposition

  • In late fall 1890, the Proctor was towing H. R. Newcomb across Lake Ontario when a sudden gale hit.
  • The tow line parted under strain, leaving the Newcomb adrift.
  • The unpowered Barge was then driven ashore off Nine Mile Point, where it struck bottom and became stranded.
  • Initially, hopes were that the vessel could be refloated in spring, but severe winter storms destroyed her Hull, cementing her as a Total Loss.
  • Officially Abandoned by May 1891 (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, Wikipedia, Wikipedia).

Vessel Description & Role

  • Built in 1876 as a Schooner-Barge, she lacked propulsion and relied on tow vessels like the Proctor.
  • Designed for bulk freighting, likely carrying lumber or grain.
  • Her dimensions (184 ft length, 14 ft depth) and large tonnage reflect a substantial bulk freighter typical of late-19th-century Great Lakes trade (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).

Research Gaps

  • Tow Conditions: Wind strength, storm charts, and lake forecasts from Nov 22, 1890 — could be studied via historical weather data.
  • Crew Details: Names, rescue account, and departure port manifest (likely Oswego or Rochester).
  • Salvage Records: Whether the Proctor or other tugs attempted salvage before winter.
  • Proctor Details: Vessel specs, ownership, master’s log entries—could inform the tow’s contractual and operational context.

Conclusion

The H. R. Newcomb met her demise in a classic tow-failure scenario: held clear in November passage, she broke free during a late-season gale and was grounded off Nine Mile Point, Lake Ontario. Despite initial hopes of refloating, the unforgiving winter storms finalized her loss by Spring 1891. No lives were lost, but the incident underscores the vulnerabilities of Schooner-barges operating without self-propulsion during Great Lakes storms.