Vessel Identification & Profile
- Name: William Foster
- Year Built: 1851
- Vessel Type: Likely a Schooner or Brigantine (typical for era and use)
- Construction: Wood
- Intended Use: Merchant freight (general cargo)
Incident Chronology
- Date of Incident: June 1858
- Cause of Loss: Capsized in a white squall approximately 10 miles off Racine, Wisconsin
- Cargo at Time of Loss: General merchandise
- Casualties: 2 of 4 crew lost
- Immediate Outcome: Vessel was towed ashore
- Final Disposition: Apparently Abandoned post-recovery; no further sailing activity recorded
Location & Salvage
- Incident Site: 10 miles offshore from Racine, Wisconsin, Lake Michigan
- Final Location: Presumed near Racine or Milwaukee harbor post-recovery
- Salvage Actions: Vessel was towed in; no detailed salvage or repair records found
Notes & Historical Significance
The William Foster is an example of early Great Lakes merchant vessels vulnerable to sudden summer storms. White squalls were particularly deadly due to their rapid onset and violent gusts. The loss of two crew and the vessel’s post-capsize abandonment suggest substantial structural or financial damage, rendering the ship unfit or uneconomical to repair.
There is some anecdotal reference to possible post-incident use, but no enrollment or shipping record confirms further service. The vessel likely deteriorated or was dismantled after being brought ashore.
Recommendations for Further Research
- Examine Racine and Milwaukee newspapers from June–July 1858
- Consult early U.S. customs and enrollment records for deregistration or wreck reports
- Search local historical society maritime logs or lake charts for confirmed abandonment site
Keywords: William Foster, white squall, 1858 shipwreck, Racine, Lake Michigan, capsized Schooner, Great Lakes storm losses