Identification & Site Information

Vessel Type

The THOMAS W. PALMER was a wooden-hulled bulk freighter designed for Great Lakes service. These vessels were the workhorses of the region’s maritime industry, transporting bulk commodities like coal, grain, iron ore, and in her final voyage, copper sand. Constructed in 1880 by the Detroit Dry Dock Company, one of the leading Shipyards on the Great Lakes, the PALMER was a large, two-Deck bulk freighter built primarily of wood. She was equipped with a for-and-aft compound steam engine—a design known for its efficiency—producing 750 horsepower at 88 revolutions per minute. The engine, with cylinders measuring 23 inches and 44 inches in diameter with a 40-inch stroke, was built by the Dry Dock Engine Works in Detroit.

Her single screw propeller was powered by a Scotch marine boiler, re-boilered in 1889 with dimensions of 12.5 x 13 feet, operating at 130 psi, manufactured by M. Riter Boiler Works. The PALMER was rigged with four masts, though primarily for cargo handling and stabilization rather than sail power, as was common for steam-powered freighters of her size.

History

The THOMAS W. PALMER had an eventful operational history that spanned nearly three decades.

  • 1880: Launched in Detroit for the Michigan Navigation Company.
  • 1888: Ownership transferred to James McKenzie and partners in Buffalo, NY.
  • 1889: Renamed SAMOA and re-boilered in Buffalo, improving her steam capacity and performance.
  • 1890: On September 9, the SAMOA caused significant damage to the Welland Canal when she carried away two headgates and damaged a foot gate at Lock No. 18, demonstrating the challenges of navigating large freighters through tight canal locks.
  • 1896: Struck a rock and sank near Brockville, Ontario, in the St. Lawrence River. She was later repaired extensively, reflecting her continued value despite repeated mishaps.
  • 1899–1909: Passed through multiple owners, including Joseph B. Rogers of Buffalo, John O. Teagan of Detroit, and finally the Baker Transportation Company under Harris W. Baker.
  • 1909: Underwent a major Rebuild in Detroit, reinforcing her structure and updating her machinery to extend her service life.

Final Disposition

On September 20, 1909, the SAMOA (formerly THOMAS W. PALMER) met her final fate while docked at the Osceola Stamp Mill on Torch Lake, near the Keweenaw Peninsula in Lake Superior. While loaded with copper sand, the vessel was struck by lightning, igniting a fire that quickly spread through her wooden superstructure. Despite efforts to contain the blaze, she was completely destroyed.

The wreck rests in approximately 50 feet (15.24 m) of water opposite the town of Hubbell, Michigan. The enrollment of the vessel was formally surrendered in Detroit on October 3, 1909, marking the end of her service.

Located By & Date Found

The exact details of the discovery of the wreck are not well-documented, but the site’s location is known due to historical records and proximity to the Osceola Stamp Mill dock. Torch Lake is a popular area for divers, and remnants of the SAMOA may still be accessible underwater.

NOTMARs & Advisories

No current Notices to Mariners (NOTMARs) specifically reference the wreck site in Torch Lake. However, divers should exercise caution in the area due to submerged hazards from the vessel remains and other industrial debris from the historic mining operations around the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Resources & Links

Conclusion

The THOMAS W. PALMER/SAMOA’s long and eventful career reflects the rugged nature of Great Lakes shipping during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Her survival through multiple groundings, sinkings, and even structural rebuilds highlights the resilience of wooden bulk freighters in an era of growing industrial demands. Ultimately destroyed by a natural force—lightning—her wreck serves as both a historical artifact and a reminder of the unpredictable conditions faced by vessels on the Great Lakes.