Identification & Site Information
- Name: Somerset
- Built: 1847 by Crockett at Oswego, New York; originally constructed as a Schooner and later converted to a Schooner-Barge
- Type: Wooden Schooner-Barge, 88 ft × 18 ft × 8 ft; ~95 tons
- Official No.: 57384
- Final Voyage: May 11, 1872—operating as part of a five-Barge tow under the Tug Zouave, downbound from the Saginaw River
- Incident Location: Off Monroe, Michigan, in Lake Erie
- Cargo: Lumber
- Casualties: None reported—no injuries or fatalities (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files, wrecksite.eu)
Incident & Collision
- While being towed in the flotilla led by the Tug Zouave, the Somerset collided with the tow‑mate Barge Wolverine during maneuvering or heavy water conditions.
- The collision caused the Somerset to take on water rapidly and sink at sea, resulting in a Total Loss.
- There is no record of crew loss—the Barge likely sailed unmanned or with minimal crew aboard while under tow (Great Lakes Shipwreck Files).
Archival & Research Gaps
- Tow Operation Logs – Tug Zouave records may detail the collision circumstances and crew actions.
- Crew or Barge Logs – If crew were aboard Somerset, their identities and evacuation status should be confirmed.
- Weather & Water Conditions – May 1872 meteorological records for Lake Erie could clarify environmental impact.
- Press Coverage – Local newspapers (Monroe, Detroit, Buffalo) likely reported the collision and sinking.
- Registry & Ownership – Enrollment documents, especially Conversion documentation from Schooner to Barge, may be in Buffalo customs records.
Wreck & Site Survey Potential
- Estimated Site: Just off the coast of Monroe, Michigan, in relatively shallow Lake Erie waters.
- Condition: As a wooden Barge, remnants may include submerged Hull remnants, Stanchions, fasteners, and possible lading materials.
- Survey Strategy:
- Consult 1872 nautical charts for the tow path and sinking locus.
- Deploy side‑scan sonar and magnetometer to detect debris fields.
- Conduct targeted shallow dives to document Hull remains and identify collision damage.
Historical Significance
- The loss of Somerset exemplifies the occupational hazards inherent in multi-Barge tows—especially amidst congested towing maneuvers or sudden water disturbances.
- As a converted Schooner-Barge, the vessel represents a transitional period in freight transport methodology on the Great Lakes.
- Her demise underscores the risks of tow maintenance protocols in early maritime logistics.
Recommended Next Steps
- Archive Investigation: Request access to Tug Zouave logs and Barge registry records at National Archives (Detroit or Buffalo).
- Newspaper Retrieval: Search May–June 1872 editions for collision and wreck reports.
- Weather Data Inquiry: Obtain environmental conditions log to reconstruct the sinking scenario.
- Site Reconnaissance: Coordinate with maritime archaeologists to survey the Monroe area for the Somerset wreck site.